Sexing Cons

[guppymonkey]

We just got some new convicts in at my pet store and I am so tempted to grab a pair of them. They are a little over 1/2 inch long maybe 3/4 inch. Is it possible to sex them at this age? Some of them are definately females as they have the golden scales on their sides.

 

[digital_run]

You answered your own question....Females will have golden/orange spots while males will not. Just a warning...If you are planning on breeding Convicts then i would advise a tank strictly devoted to them. They are aggressive fish to begin with and not considered a good community fish...But when they spawn they are crazy little buggers who will terrorize and probably kill anything else that can't take a beating. HIH

Check this link....Shows a picture of my male
Convicts

 

[guppymonkey]

Right now the cons don't really want much to do with each other and seem to be leaving the other fish alone. Having a breeding pair of kribs in the tank with them might have something to do with that though. I am going to be getting a tank for the cons when I get paid but wanted to make sure I got them before the price rose above 2.99 a pair at work.

 

[swampcat]

If you have a male and female as they mature they will mate!!! They beat up oscars that are 12-13 inches. They are fearless when they have eggs or fry. They will kill almost anything their size and give a good beating to large fish. They are the best parents , you really need to do nothing but feed them.

 

[guppymonkey]

I hope I have a male and female! I definately have ONE female as she has golden color on her sides. Would that mean that the one that is normal colored is the male or could it be a late developing female or can some females not have the golden scales? I don't have much experience with egglaying breeding but hope to attain some in the near future!

 

[swampcat]

I have raised them from fry. The females develope the orange color when they are half inch or less and males stay the plain color. The males get larger.

You will have no problem raising the fry the fish do it all themselves. The parents will keep them in a heard. Will gather them in mouth and spit them out where they want them . Its really cool. Have a large rock or artificial tree stump or something in tank and they will adhear the eggs to this.

Keep temp @ 78-80 F. My water is @ 6.5-6.8 PH fish do the rest.

The fry will eat flakes ground up small. I grind them up really small. Have also done this with pellets.

Cover filter intake with somthing to keep them out of filter. I use filter bags over intake stems on my aquaclear 500's. Have to clean constantly, but the babies are a pain in the ass to get out of filter (they live in filter).

My biggest and most disappointing problem was I raised 300 or so convicts to one inch in size and could not get anyone to take them. I kept 8 my father took 20 and the rest I sadly ended up using as feeders. All the local fish stores would not take them. I've since taken any new litters out as soon as I find them and feed to my angels.

 

[Paul_MTS]

I'ved recently taken 5 convict home from work that were brought in and are doing great. great colour and personality aswell!!

I haven't noticed any gold sclaes on the side yet. They are all either at 1inch or close behind.

also how long before they are fully grown or atleast mature to breed?

 

[digital_run]

Cons will reach sexual maturity as soon as they hit 1.5-2" in size.