Convict Cichlids Won't Eat!

[fishorama]

Females, IME, are quite aggressive to each other. Much worse than males, unlike Frank's experiences.

Are they still not eating? High nitrates & generally poor water conditions can inhibit appetite sometimes & lead to diseases. What mare your water params & maintenance schedule like? How long have you had them?

I would say don't add a male in such a small tank with all those females...it's barely big enough for 1 female (ok...maybe 2) & 1 male to breed...at best. Females are small but feisty, males wimpy but larger...& you're overstocked if they do breed & you get fry.

But fish that don't eat don't breed either...tell us more...what do you try to feed, how often, water changes?

 

[fishorama]

Females, IME, are quite aggressive to each other. Much worse than males, unlike Frank's experiences.

Are they still not eating? High nitrates & generally poor water conditions can inhibit appetite sometimes & lead to diseases. What are your water params & maintenance schedule like? How long have you had them?

I would say don't add a male in such a small tank with all those females...it's barely big enough for 1 female (ok...maybe 2) & 1 male to breed...at best. Females are small but feisty, males wimpy but larger...& you're overstocked if they do breed & you get fry.

But fish that don't eat don't breed either...tell us more...what do you try to feed, how often;water changes, how often?

 

[Fishwimp]

Females, IME, are quite aggressive to each other. Much worse than males, unlike Frank's experiences.

Are they still not eating? High nitrates & generally poor water conditions can inhibit appetite sometimes & lead to diseases. What are your water params & maintenance schedule like? How long have you had them?

I would say don't add a male in such a small tank with all those females...it's barely big enough for 1 female (ok...maybe 2) & 1 male to breed...at best. Females are small but feisty, males wimpy but larger...& you're overstocked if they do breed & you get fry.

But fish that don't eat don't breed either...tell us more...what do you try to feed, how often;water changes, how often?[/QUOTE

I do water changes once a week every week, 50-60%. Only thing bad is the nitrate. they are aggressive towards each other yet very shy. Two are the "Alpha" females I guess I could say, one is a sidekick, and one is extremely shy and non-aggressive. Do you think I should rehome one of them? and if yes should it be the least or most aggressive?

 

[Frank Castle]

the reason you have high nitrates is because you don't take out enough water during water changes. Start doing 90% instead of 50-60%