Convict Cichlid Breeding - FAQ  
aka the 'Convict Capers'

This is a day by day journal of two pairs of breeding convict cichlids who share an aquarium, and who spawn happily together. It gives full detail of events and stages of daily development of the fry, as well the parenteral care.

After the many emails received, I've set up some frequently asked questions to assist you with the breeding of convict cichlids. These questions are taken directly from emails I've received and the answers are what I've experienced while breeding convicts. Opinion may differ but these are my own experiences with convict cichlids.

How do visitors find your website ?
According to site statistics, there have been over 40 000 unique visitors since the inception of this website in August 2000. Most find the site using a google search, others use Ron's link at cichlidresearch.com. 

What do you feed them ? [the fish, not the visitors :) ]
Mostly flake food and often frozen bloodworms (taken very readily, their favourite) and sometimes frozen daphnia.

How long before the eggs hatch ?
It takes about 3 - 4 days, once hatched, the fry are wrigglers.

How can you tell the difference between a male and female convict cichlid ?
The male has longer more flowing fins and a slight 'lump' on his 'forehead' whereas the female is more rounded with rounded fins, usually smaller than the male. The female also develops more intense colouring during breeding.

Will they eat their fry ?
Usually they take exceptional care of their fry but on occasion, depending on various factors, such as the fish being disturbed or stressed or deformed fry, in which case they've been known to eat the fry

What are the roles of the male and female in protecting the fry ?
The female tends to guard the fry very closely while the male will swim the perimeter chasing any fish who venture too close. See convict cichlid breeding journal for more details about their growth stages and development.

Continue to How the story started