Widowed Convict Cichlid Dad

[PokeSephiroth]

A few weeks ago, my female convict cichlid died...I'm not sure how it happened...I tested the water, and things looked normal... could it have been by stress, or old age? Ugh, I don't know... well anyway...after a few days after her death, I noticed that there were small fry swimming about with the dad.

Now the dad is taking care of the fry by himself (amazingly enough he hasn't eaten them). Now the fry are big enough, to where you can recognize them as convict cichlids.....my question is, when can I introduce another female convict? I'm scared that if I introduce a female with my male, the male will think that the female is a threat to his fry... what would be the best approach for finding a new mate for my male convict?

thanks in advance =)

 

[RadaR]

Wait for the babies to get to just over an inch and sell them. Then remove the male and put him in a large bucket with tank water in and a filter and airstone running. Re-arrange the tank and add a reasonable sized female convict to the tank (try get one that is as big as the male or just under). 2 days later put the male back in the tank. The female will hopfully have made her territory in the tank and the male will have lost his and wont recognize the tank as his. Hopefully they should pair off.

 

[PokeSephiroth]

Wait for the babies to get to just over an inch and sell them. Then remove the male and put him in a large bucket with tank water in and a filter and airstone running. Re-arrange the tank and add a reasonable sized female convict to the tank (try get one that is as big as the male or just under). 2 days later put the male back in the tank. The female will hopfully have made her territory in the tank and the male will have lost his and wont recognize the tank as his. Hopefully they should pair off.

Thank you very much for your advice!! =) I'll make sure to do the rearranging...that shouldn't be too hard...
Thanks again for the advice! Hehehehe, you're a life saver!

 

[vancouver]

Definitely wait until the fry are gone