New tank for Breeding Convicts

[Rocketman]

Hi, I'm planning on setting up a tank to breed some Convicts, although I have no experience with Cichlids (other then the ones at my Pet Store.)

So, what is a good size for just one pair of Convicts? 30G? I would like for this tank to be 24" long, as I already have two extra 24" hoods. I wanted to use the fry as feeders, and have heard that they would have to be feed before an age of 4 weeks as their spines begin to harden around that age.

After the fry are born, could I transfer them into a spare 15G immideatly? If not, how long should I wait? My reason for this is that I want the Adults to breed as often as possible, and I've heard that the best way to do this is to remove the fry from their tank.

We had a breeding pair of Convicts at my Pet Store, in a 10 Gallon display tank. However, after the fry were about 4-5 weeks old, the Male killed the Female. I now believe this was because of the small tank, but is there anythink I can do to prevent that happening to me?

Also, where can I get a breeding pair? Should I just get a Male and a Female and hope for the best? I'm really not willing to pay a breeder $60+ for a gaurenteed pair.

Finally, my pH is 8.0-8.2 out of the tap - do I need that authentic rift lake gravel, (the stuff that contains crushed coral to set the pH to a Cichlid's needs?) If not, what other substrate, (besides sand,) can I use that the Convicts would be able to move around?

Thanks a lot!

[optix]

Cons need at least 20 long which is 30" long. you are most likely sure to get a pair just by putting a male and female in the same tank together. I've never not had a male and female breed. As far as feeding them within 4 weeks because of their spines getting hard. I have never heard this and even if thats so, if you are feeding them to other cichlids you'll have no problem. Cons get eaten at 3" if they are in the tank with full grown guapotes oscars or any other large cichlid. Your water is fine as it is for cons. Don't get yourself in a mess tryin to change water chemistry. A stable PH is much better than a low or any level fluctuating one. And I would hope nobody would pay 60 bucks for a breeding pair of cons. Thats just stupid lol. Cons are insanely common to worry about a breeding pair, and they pair up about like a live bearer would. Not literally but pretty close.

[Rocketman]

Thanks Optix, that answers a lot of questions.

I will be feeding them to Large, (8") Tin Foil Barbs, 4" Jewels, 4" Oscars, and 4" African Clawed Frogs.

So, all that still needs to be answered is whether or not I can remove the fry from the parent's tank, and if so, when?

Also, would it be possible for me to get a 24" tank, Optix, as it would save me a good 25 bucks?

And what kind of "hiding spots" do I need? I know Cichlids love caves and stuff, and I know a Female Convict needs some space when the male goes after her. I already got a peice of Slate and a hollow skull that seems like a great hiding spot, (and has been for my fish for the last 16 years.) What else?

[optix]

Yes you can remove the fry if you'd like, the parents normally raise them their selves. A 24" (20g high) could work but you'll need alot of hiding places. Driftwood, a couple flower pots on their side. Things like that.

[Rocketman]

So...yes I can remove the fry. Right away? You confused me with the sentence about the Parents raising them themselves. I know it would be better to leave the fry with the parents, but as long as no fry die because of it, and as long as none of the parents kill each other over it, I don't see a reason why I can't move them.

[optix]

yes you can remove them. I thought I was clear but I guess I should have put BUT the parents normally raise them their selves.

[Rocketman]

Alright, thanks a ton. As for hiding spots, I am not really familiar with what Cichlids like as hiding spots - I have heard that you can get those flower pots for $.99 at Wal-Mart and so on, but, (I know this may sound trivial,) how many? And what other hiding spots do they like? I heard of using plants to break the line of sight - this makes sense. I will go with fake plants, since I don't want to worry about live plants. So besides that, can I use regular Estes, (the most common) type Gravel for the tank? Will they be able to move this around to nest?

[wayne]

Use any unvarnished, unglazed clay pot that looks a sensible size, I usually break mine in half, and I use quite a lot for other cichlids (don't have cons) - they're so cheap stick in 4 or 5 and give options.
I think it's worth keeping the fry in with the parents as it's probably easier, plus you get to see the parents sheparding them around, quite nice

[Rocketman]

Alright...should I get regular gravel or something smaller?