they are in a 90 gal. tank with parrot fish + irridecent sharks no one seems to be bothering them dad is very protective . if i move do i move mom + dad with them ?
2006-12-04 03:42:40 · 6 answers · asked by s c 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I think you mean convicts? If you feel you must separate them, I would move the other fish. However, the convicts will be fine in a 20 gallon tank with their babies (fry). Catching them in a 90 gallon tank will be a real job, though.
If I were you, I would allow them to raise the fry in the 90 gallon with the other fish. Many will survive. Then, later, if you want to spawn them again, just move the parents to a 20 gallon tank and they will spawn over and over and over and..... well, you get the picture. Convicts are known as the rabbits of the aquarium egg layers. Once they start spawning, you have to separate them to get them to stop.
On the downside... nobody usually wants them because there are so many around due to their non-stop spawning. Pet stores will usually take "some" of them, but won't pay you for them. You will be lucky to get a little store credit for a few of them.
They are great fish though, I usually always have some in one of my tanks somewhere. Their parental care is extraordinary to the point of making life miserable for any other fish in the tank. Even larger and more agressive fish. In a small tank, they will drive all the other inhabitants to the upper corners or kill them if the tank is too small. In a 90, that should not be a problem.
Good luck.
2006-12-04 03:55:40 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, get used to babies, I started with two convicts, ended up with a whole family of them that began having babies with each other and now my 30 gallon tank is full of them. The best thing to do it keep plenty of rocks and plants where the fry can hide. you won't even need to move the parents. Just keep the tank WELL FED and you won't have any problems with larger fish eating the little guys. Next question you have about them will be HOW DO I MAKE THEM STOP??!!
2006-12-04 03:57:11 · answer #2 · answered by travistual 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to keep the fry alive, I would remove them from the 90g, and put them in a grow out tank, something around the 10-20g mark should do. Remove them about 5 days after they are free swimming. You can move the mother as well, but leave the dad. Eventually he will push her to mate again, and if she refuses, he will eat the fry.
If you dont want the fry, then leave them in the tank, and eventually someone will eat them. If a few survive, you can remove them later, or leave them in the tank if you want.
2006-12-04 08:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by ~Rush~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't move them. Convicts are good parents and will take care of and guard the fry. Moving them too soon could upset the parents and cause them to eat the fry.
2006-12-04 03:52:48 · answer #4 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dad should take care of them fine
You may need to et special food thought but im not sure I dont have experence with that kind of fish
2006-12-04 04:54:40 · answer #5 · answered by Skittles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
convicts are very good parents try to keep the parents with them if they have to be moved. I personally would not move them until they get older if it can be helped. You don't really have to do anything.
2006-12-04 05:05:18 · answer #6 · answered by weebles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋