Convict breeding

[kevinn2003]

Hey,
im new to breeding and i just set up a 55 gallon tank a few weeks ago and have a few covicts plus other south americans in it and the convicts just laid eggs this morning, What do i need to do to make sure that the eggs will hatch and not get eaten , should i take them out and put them in a new tank by themselves or what. they are laid on a shell so i can take them out easily if i have to... thanks in advance.

[Tightdog1]

what other fish are in the tank?

but leave them in the tank witht eh cons cause the cons will raise the fry by themselves and will probably protect the fry also. so just leave them in the tank and see what happens.

[kevinn2003]

i have a pair of firemouths and a pair of jack dempseys.

[kevinn2003]

also how long will it take for convict eggs to hatch?

[jmann]

It shouldn't be more than a few days until they hatch. They are like machines when it comes to baby producing.

[Tightdog1]

normally eggs hatch in 2-3 days and are free swimming about a 5-7 days after that.

[ChilDawg]

Kevin,
I think that you have an interesting mix of fish in your tank, and I think that it will be a fun one for you in the years to come. However, I would like to clear up one misconception: JDs, Firemouths, and Cons are all Central American cichlids. I just wanted to inform you of that, but good luck with that tank, and post many many pictures of it, please...

[kevinn2003]

oh thanks, the store i bought them from says they are south american but im sure your right. I have another question, do the eggs grow in size at all before they hatch i dont really see andything but a small dot inside of them, the eggs are so small its hard to tell. Ill post some pics as soon as i can find my link for my digital camera.

[kevinn2003]

one more question ... do you think i should leave the fry in or do you think the other fish will eat them, the ones i mentioned before are all bigger then the convicts. i dont really have a cave or cover in my tank i had a shell and the female went inside and laid them. thanks

[kevinn2003]

great... im setting up my tank for the convict and the babies and a firemouth is near there nest, and all the egss are gone. i guess i have to wait 2 more weeks:mad: :(