Anyone out there breed convicts for feeders?

[Rocketman]

I was planning on doing it... if so, does anyone who does have any tips?

[Oscar_Wild]

I do. I keep 3 breeding pairs and use them for feeders. Take the fry from the parents after 2 weeks, and they will breed more often. I have one pair that will breed 2 weeks after taking the fry. I have noticed though, that my fry grow faster if left with the parents. Your mileage may vary.

I also have a community tank of "mixed" africans, and I feed all of their "mutt" fry to my other fish.

Oscar_Wild

[AikidoGuy]

every two weeks my convicts breed. I grow the fry out a few weeks and then feed them to my medium sized cichlids. Just today my escondido laid eggs and my male centrarchus seems to be the "doner" so i'll have mut fry as feeders in a few weeks as well.

[DarthV]

You should keep a couple and see what they turn out like...

[Rocketman]

Darth - I don't plan on even being able to catch all of them.

So far everyone has been helpful - keep it coming! I'm planning on putting mine in a 20G High tank, just one pair, (unless, of course, two pairs would work, what do you think?)

How about numbers? How many per nest, 80-100?

[Dtman]

I havent done New World cichlids yet, but I do keep a breeding pair of Brichardi in the Frontosa tank. They keep a steady stream of fry. In fact, putting them in there was the only way I could get them under control.

[DarthV]

Actually meant the keep a couple comment for Aikidoguy... be an interesting fish...a cross of a convict and an escondido...!

[AikidoGuy]

I said centrarchus.. same species as the convict but.... very different fish. Well im going to see if the eggs even hatch. Im doubting they will but would be intresting if they do.

[DarthV]

Ooops...misread that, but either way, you should have an interesting batch of fry if they hatch :)