My Convicts

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#81
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#81
'It' was fine in the tank I bought it from---showing its colors, hanging out in the open and carrying on like it was king/queen of the tank...occasionally chasing away others that got too close, etc.
(I still say 'it' because I'm not sure whether or not it was a male or female).

From what I understand, Fuzz, you think any newcomer will get their butts kicked? Even if it is a larger male?

So what do I do---get rid of all of them and start from scratch?! :confused:

I'm heading out to the LFS in a couple minutes to see what I can find. In all probability I'll get one or two slightly bigger males. If you guys recommend that I do otherwise in the meantime, I will, but I'm basically on my way out the door now...so...

Oh...and not much sense in lamenting over the dead fish.
Yes, I'm sure he/she could have ultimately been saved, but it was badly beaten up and thus I did what I felt was best. ;)

BV
 

Fuzz16

Fuzz16

Superstar Fish
#82
Oct 20, 2006
1,918
3
0
Wellsville, KS
#82
one male.
get a 5gal bucket, take water from the tank into the bucket

then put all three fish in there, for about 5 minutes with an airstone
then put them all in after rearranging, if you can.

that should mess up territories, and make them scatterbrained.

ive kept guppies with convicts doing this before...experimenting and all
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#84
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#84
Moment of truth?

sclabman said:
wait, so what is in the tank now?
Click to expand...
I can barely keep track myself. lol

Went to the LFS, chatted with some folks, and ended up basically getting nowhere, so I decided to leave things as is and see what would happen with the two convicts that are in there. Turning on the lights after I got home, I noticed something...
(which I will attempt to comment upon as though I actually know what I'm talking about)

Hmm...what's happening here?


Let's take a closer look...eggs!


Female laying/fanning eggs as male 'stands' guard from above.


Male fertilizing/fanning eggs as the female supervises.


She needs to make sure he gets it done right.


Still supervising the male...reminds me of my wife.


Please tell me the females won't lay eggs over each others' eggs.
I mean, surely what you see in the pics is the female laying, then the male fertilizing/fanning...right? Right? :confused:

BV
 

Last edited:
Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#87
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#87
Thanks guys. :)
So it is safe to assume they are a male and female (and not two females laying eggs over top of one another's eggs?), right? lol
But seriously...is that correct?

Helena21 said:
OMG! they dont waste their time do they?!?
I cant believe it.
Click to expand...
This explains why the male kept kicking the crap out of the smaller one (who I thought was also a male). It also explains why the two that are in there now have been tolerating each other so well.

And yes, Katie, I'll make sure to watch for any fuzziness on the eggs.

One question---should I do my regularly-planned water-change today as I normally would, or do the eggs require some precautions here? (I'm guessing it's fine, but just wanted to double check)

BV
 

Helena21

Helena21

Superstar Fish
#88
Oct 7, 2005
1,850
2
0
32
Essex, England
#88
1. Yes they are male and female, LOL i really dont think 2 females would start spawning and laying eggs on top of another pile of eggs.
2. Yes do your normal waterchange, when are you doing it?
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#90
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#90
Helena21 said:
LOL i really dont think 2 females would start spawning and laying eggs on top of another pile of eggs.
Click to expand...
Me neither, but with my luck they probably would.
The entire process of getting two compatible cons was a giant ball of confusion, but the end result has been favorable.

Actually, I've done okay so far with my fish.
Krib fry, platy fry, crayfish eggs (hopefully they're fertile), and now the convicts...I really shouldn't complain about my luck being bad. lol

Helena21 said:
Yes do your normal waterchange, when are you doing it?
Click to expand...
Will do...this evening some time.

Thanks Helena!
How's your 35 gallon tank going...change any more of the rocks around? Bet you can't wait til' mid-week when you get the new cichlids, eh? *celebrate

BV
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#93
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#93
Just noticed them today, but I suppose it's possible that they could have been there since yesterday. I'm guessing she started laying eggs shortly after I removed the smaller con that her mate kicked the crap out of.

BV
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#98
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#98
Yup, thanks for reminding me, Helena...I haven't even checked on them yet today. lol

Eggs are all still there...no fuzzy white crud on them either.
When should I expect to see 'wigglers,' I wonder?

BV
 

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