To stop this you can remove him from the tank and leave the fry with their mother.Is the Convict Cichlid Right for Your Aquarium?Hopefully now you know enough to figure out if the Black Convict Cichlid is the right fish for your aquarium.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-4-0');Their hardy nature, ease of care and vibrant colors make them ideal for a beginner. About 3 to 5 days after the eggs hatched and now Im just looking to see what they will come out to be. They enjoy slow moving waters and are used to sandy and rocky substrates. Thats why some owners prefer stripping the eggs and incubating them artificially. And then the trouble started.. If you know what to look for, observing your convict cichlids for pre-spawning cues should give you an idea when the first are likely to spawn. I now have 17 in a 20 Gallon, and 18 in a 25 Gallon. The Convict Cichlid most commonly has a grey to silver body with multiple black vertical bars along the length of its body. I now have two female black convicts and one male pink convict. While most male mouth brooders are known to move from one mate to another, the male blackchin mouth brooder is known to look after the eggs instead of the female. However, they only appear in the later stages and indicate that the bloat has started affecting the internal organs. Your email address will not be published. convict female/ Jack Dempsy bred.About a 100 fry, I reduced to 30 now 60 days later mom still ptotecting. By selecting the proper equipment, creating an appropriate environment for the convicts, and taking care of the newly hatched baby fish, you can easily breed these amazing fish! Due to their territorial nature it isnt recommended you place them with other species, instead you should keep them in a separate tank. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a creative writing concentration from Marietta College. I thought they were preparing to lay eggs. Thanks, Robert. Interestingly, males are also known to develop richer color to woo the female. 3-4 months max before they start breeding, I have 4 breeding pairs in a 30 gal breeder tank and have no problem between them. Once the male has fertilized the eggs, the female will guard the eggs and the male will guard the perimeter. She may be more active or gravitate towards specific aquarium areas more often than usual. I thought it might be bloated but im not sure, i thought it might have been trying to lay eggs and i disturbed it? Hopefully now you know enough to figure out if the Black Convict Cichlid is the right fish for your aquarium. You may want to get a stick-on thermometer as well, which will allow you to quickly check the water temperature whenever you glance at your aquarium. Her black stripes are most distinct, in a more vibrant hue, and in general, better than those of the male. As per a study published in Royal Society Open Science, a female cichlid hybrid fish reportedly impregnated herself without a male. Due to their aggressive temperament it is not recommended that you keep convict cichlids in the same tank with any other breed of fish. The body is oval-shaped and has black vertical stripes on a silver-white background. In mouthbrooding cichlids, once the eggs are hatched, theyre incubated in the mouth for around 3 weeks. Urban Fishkeeping is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other affiliate programs. Nov 11, 2010 #1 I have a convict cichlid female who looks abit fat just a little tho but she has something sticking out her bottom. So I have a convict and he is just aggressive as can be. This authoritative reference eBook will not only help you learn how to create a healthy aquatic ecosystem without accidentally killing any of your fish, but itll also give you the momentum you need to build out your underwater empire. There are two types of brooders in the cichlid family -- the mouth brooder and the substrate brooder. I have additional 55 with 30 fry and 2peacocks.Do I relocate mom to small tank she looks weak, Hi Rain, yes I would definitely remove her to a separate tank if she is being picked on. However, in captivity, breeding may be more sporadic and may occur only once or twice a year. Yes, a female will lay eggs even if there are no males present. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Breed-Convict-Cichlids-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Breed-Convict-Cichlids-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Breed-Convict-Cichlids-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid482219-v4-728px-Breed-Convict-Cichlids-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"