Will 2 female convicts lay and guarHid eggs?

Hi Guys,

I have a new tank. I have added 2 convicts and 2 malawis to test tank. Tank has been running now for 1.5 months so im still monitoring parameters. Only problem i have so far is that my pH is higher than it should be.

So...in the past 1.5 months my convict pair has laid eggs 4 times. All 4 times they have eaten the eggs after guarding it for about 2 - 3 days. They both are very young and have bits of orange spots on the belly so im convinced that i have 2 females. Is this possible?

Thanks G

 

Hi Gerald,

Would it be possible for you to post some pictures?

Thanks

 

Hi, Il try and get some proper slr pics later today. I have some crappy cell phone camera pics. Kinda hard to get a pic while they moving

 

So last night I changed the tank a bit. i added more fish, more rocks driftwood and a 20% water change. Now the 2 convicts started to lip lock and do what looks like a mating dance.

 

I've got a male and a female convict..

The first 2 times, the female didn't accept the male, even bit his tale.
Now, the 3rd time, the female laid eggs, and the male was in the ceramic pot with her, looked like he was fertalising the eggs.
She's not chasing him at all this time, and he is right in front of the pot opening guarding and picking up stones, seems like he is keeping guard... even though it's just them and my pleco in the tank.

But the first two times the female also ate the eggs, after all of them went white.
I think you must see, i think the eggs are suppose to be like a brown'ish color if they are healthy etc.

I've noticed that the female gets a red / orange spot by her belly if she is sexually mature, and the male and females fins also does differ.

I'm no export, nore have i successfully bred them before but it's just my experience, and what i've picked up so far.

Hope it helps.
Quintin