Fighting Convicts

L

lachrimae

Registered Member
Jul 24, 2005
3
0
0
Hello group.

I brought home a couple of Convicts 2 days ago, not sure of the sex.

Initially I thought they were probably male/female but a battle broke out this morning (has been steadily ongoing for at least 1 hr) and now I'm thinking they're male/male. Your thoughts?

Locked up:

lock1.jpg


Spinning:

spin.jpg


Biting: :eek:

(notice the shredded caudal fin on the one getting bit. I'm starting to worry about him because he is just not as quick)

bite.jpg



I've got these in with some Malawis and everything had been fine until now. Should I intervene? I don't have a 2nd tank...

Oh yeah, it's a 55gal
 
Looks like 2 males to me.
 
both look to be female I have about 12 in a 55 with a 12in. oscar they are verry territorial esp. when mating.I also have a mated pair in a 29 that have raised fry
that are mature now in the same tank.they fight amungst each other but no serius
problems.mostly terratory disputes.the ones in the 29 have been there for about two years. had trouble at first till I got a pair mated. been in the oscar tank for over a year never had any problems.(probubly afraid of being eaten,which happpens from time to time). never tried to keep with malawis.
 
they both look female to me too ive allways heard that the females have all of the color.
 
Yup, you have 2 females...and nice looking ones at that. Separate them asap if the fighting continues.
 
Now the two are getting along fine.

The two are taking turns going into a cave while the other one chases other fish away. Do Convicts fight before breeding? I've heard of cichlids locking mouths before breeding to test eachother's strength but not of an all out battle.

I guess I'll know for sure in about 4 days...
 
This mite sound wierd but a female mite go with another feamale and think that the other female will firtalise the eggs...... i've never used the word female in 1 sentcene in all my life!
 
If there are eggs they will not be fertilized and they will turn white with fungus, eventually the fish will eat the eggs most likely, you could take 1 back and get a male, and try to breed them if thats what your into.
 
I kept 4 females with a GT and a JD for over a year before. Convicts are so reproduction driven that if they do not have male partner instinct will force them to pair off anyway. Yes they will still lay eggs and yes they will still behave as if they are breeding. Notice how I said kept.I gave them to my friend with my male so he could breed them. Those are definatley two females and yes very nice ones. You might be ok. They will fight though especially after thier eggs dont hatch. Watch for the real aggresion to take place after thier colors suddenly fade and they no longer display the orange( a sure sign they have laid eggs.)
 
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