How can I get my convict cichlids to breed?

Question

I have five 1'-2" convict cichlids. Now seeing as they are prolific breeders I got this many and have been waiting for a pair to form for weeks. Correct me if 'm wrong but I though convicts were the rabbits of the fish world and would go at it at first chance. My only explanation is that I have a tank full of females. Not males because they're too big to be as congenial as they are with eachother. The only one who is really aggressive is my biggest one (almost 3") and if that one is a male, why hasn't he picked a mate yet? If it's a female I'd understand since if no males are present a large female will take one the role as dominant female and try to spawn w/ others but w/ no eggs. That's the only thing that makes sense to me unless someone else with maybe a little more experience can help me out. If need be, I have a male at the store that I have on hold for such an occassion. So am I being impatient or do I need to make one last run to my local fish store?

Answer 1

here you got a link hope this helps

Answer 2

Convicts are the rabbits of the fish world. It is true.

First, what size tank do you have? A breeding pair should have 30 gallons in my opinion, but it can be done in a 20 gallon long tank.

Second, do you have any decorations? If there is no territory to claim, a pair will be less likely to form. A terracotta pot, or a cave would serve nicely.

Thirdly, I highly doubt that out of five fish, they are all the same sex, but it is possible. Like already mentioned, females and females only will display Orange or Red on their bellies. Males will not. At 1-2 inches, they are sexually mature, and probably are just waiting for the right time.

Keep the water clean, add some decor, and feed nutritious foods, and you will be rewarded. In fact, your next question may be "How do I stop my convicts from breeding!?"

Answer 3

Just something to think about...if you got all your fish at the same store at the same time, they're probably siblings and you really don't want to breed them.
Having said that...Convicts are indeed prolific breeders, and will often care for their eggs and young.
Get some from another store in a different city and put them all together. Feed conditioning foods. Pinches of frozen beef heart, well-cleaned earthworms, fresh or frozen brine shrimp, and freeze dried tubifex worms are good. Small guppies, too. Wait for 2 to pair up (they'll be staying together and chasing the others off). Place that pair in a prepared 10 gallon tank with a med to large terracotta flower pot or flat rock. The temp should be 76-80. That's basically all there is to it. You may have to remove one or both parents if they start eating the eggs or fry.
One question to ask yourself. What do you plan on doing with the fry? Because they are so prolificate, most pet stores won't buy them, or even swap or offer credit, from hobbyists.
And yes, 10 gallons is big enough for spawning purposes.

Answer 4

It would be a very wise idea to sex your fish. If you have 2 males or 2 females there isn't going to be a whole lot of breeding going on. To tell the difference in sexes the female convict will have orange colored scales on the her lower body and dorsal fin.

Convicts are able to breed at a very early age so yours could be mature but they are kind of small so they might not be mature yet. If they are mature and are a pair of a male and female then they should spawn with little to no effort on your part. Provide a cave like area to spawn in and they should do what comes natural.

Answer 5

The fish must be of adult age,(sexually mature),and the water quality must be excellent,the food quality also must be excellent,and it would be best to have some live foods(or at least some frozen live foods).
Give the fish some time,(a few more months anyway). In the meantime work on water quality and food,and get the fish into top condition for spawning.
To answer your last question,yes,you are being very impatient.
Adult size for a Convict Cichlid is around 4 3/4 inches,although they have been known to spawn at a smaller size, so give them some time to grow up.

Answer 6

your being impatient.

breeding isnt something that you can rush and really you should never expect it to happen. To me it sounds like you only bought convicts as you heard they are easy breeders, which i personally have a problem with that phiolosphy.

But you really should have at least 55 gallons for what your doing.

At that size, you can easily tell males from females. which brings up " did u do your research or rush into buying convicts?"

females have that orange coloration on the chest of the fish where males dont. At 2 inches, they have been known to breed but i think that is way to young. So allowing them to pair up is on the right tract.

Again i cant STRESS enough that breeding isnt something to expect unless your a pro breeder. And give it time.