Convict Breeding Problem

[D21right]

I have 4 Convict Cichlids in my 30 Gallon tank, I know its 2 fish 2 many but Im waiting for my male to choose one of the females to mate with. I have had the male for about 5 months and the females for about 1-2 months. My male swims around with one of the females and they dig wholes and stuff in the same places but there are no eggs and it seems like it will never happen, my LFS said they would accept the babies and I know a few friends who would use some as feeder fish but like I said I cant seem to get them to breed, any ideas? I feel almost like its impossible and these are the fish I heard breed like rabbits. Not so much in my case huh?? But again please someone give some sort of advise if you can, Thanks in advance.

[Cliff]

What are your water parameters ?

Sometime if your water parameters are off a little, most fish have trouble "getting in the mood" if you know what I mean

It's just a guess on my part tho

[Crispy]

1-2 months is not a very long time to get the females to settle in and get breeding. sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes you gotta wait. just give them a good diet and clean water and you'll have more convicts than you'll know what to do with very soon.:fish:

[fishguy66]

I have 4 Convict Cichlids in my 30 Gallon tank, I know its 2 fish 2 many but Im waiting for my male to choose one of the females to mate with. I have had the male for about 5 months and the females for about 1-2 months. My male swims around with one of the females and they dig wholes and stuff in the same places but there are no eggs and it seems like it will never happen, my LFS said they would accept the babies and I know a few friends who would use some as feeder fish but like I said I cant seem to get them to breed, any ideas? I feel almost like its impossible and these are the fish I heard breed like rabbits. Not so much in my case huh?? But again please someone give some sort of advise if you can, Thanks in advance.
Unusual problem as you normally can't stop convicts from breeding!!! I would raise the water temp to about 80F & do partials every day & give them some frozen bloodworms, live brine shrimp, etc. That should really get the ball rolling!!

[UNCLE RUCKUS]

My male swims around with one of the females and they dig wholes and stuff in the same places but there are no eggs and it seems like it will never happen, my LFS said they would accept the babies and I know a few friends who would use some as feeder fish but like I said I cant seem to get them to breed, any ideas?


Try putting a piece of driftwood in there along with a flat rock. after doing a water change add some prime and set ya thermometer @ 84. you should get some eggs soon. if this doesnt work do 25-50% water changes 2xs a week. it will trigger them.thumbs2:

[D21right]

I did a 30% water change, waited about 3 or 4 days and now I actually have eggs. Thanks to everyone for the help, I am going to post a picture of the eggs soon, it might be hard to see because they are in a cave but I will try my best. Again thanks to you all.

[D21right]

This is a picture of the Female in the cave next to her 80-100 eggs, I havent counted all of them but thats a decent estimation.

[Lady Hobbs]

That will be your next problem....when the fish store says they will take 20 of them and you have 500. LOL But as already been posted, your females are still babies. Give them time to grow up.

[D21right]

I understand that, Im going to use some as feeder fish to my African Cichlids, some are going to my LFS, and I have had a lot of ppl request pairs of them and Im going to keep 1 male for breeding in another tank of mine, this is my first spawn ever and they are at the wigglers stage right now going on the 2nd day in about a week i heard they will be huge eyes swimming around the tank along side of their parents when will it be ok to start giving them away?? I was thinking within a months time but Im definitely no expert.