Breeding pair fighting

[IceH2O]

Hey guys.. I know all about con aggression with other fish but that isn't the problem.

I have a breeding pair of convicts in a 20 gallon long. They have been together and had countless fry in the 7 months I've had them.

For some reason this time the male has taken over. He has the female pinned in an upper corner and anytime he feels like it runs to that side of the tank and attacks her. Her tail has been nipped a few times so its not playful. I actually watched over her for an hour to make sure he didn't come near her. I changed the layout some and arranged some terra cotta pots and plants for more hiding but she won't go near the bottom of the tank.

Why has he turned on her like this? Should I remove all the fry? I will if it'll help curb the aggression. The fry are only like 2 weeks old though. I don't usually start pulling them out for feeders for another couple of weeks or so.

 

[cichlidkeeper91]

Have they already laid eggs? If they are put the female in a different tank.

 

[Squawkbert]

He must have heard "Are you done yet?" one time too many.
[/jk]

Use a tank divider for a while.

 

[Star_Rider]

Have they already laid eggs? If they are put the female in a different tank.

good suggestion..you might also seperate the pair even if there are no eggs laid..this would allow the female to recover.

if they have eggs it seems the male has decided to take care of them his self.

I have a pair of angels ..they would spawn about every two weeks..eggs would hatch and the male would eat the wigglers.
recently the female kicked his butt(per se)
They were sparring ..now the male doesn't eat the wigglers..I currently have about 150 free swimmers..and no growout tank free..

"whens that co-worker gonna bring that 5 gallon set up she wants out of her garage?"LOL