Make sure that you don’t exceed more than one breeding pair per 20 gallons (75. 7 L) of water. This will help to prevent aggression between breeding pairs of fish. [1] X Research source
Use a sponge filter and an aquarium heater in this nursery tank. [2] X Research source
You’ll need a power filter which has the capacity to filter at least double the volume of your tank. If you have a 30-gallon tank, choose a filter that can clean at least 60 gallons (230 L) per hour. [4] X Research source
Adding plants to your aquarium will also improve the oxygen content of your tank and remove the carbon dioxide and nitrogen that your fish generate. This helps to make your tank a healthier environment for your convicts, and helps to reduce the strain on your filtration system. [7] X Research source
Most aquarium heaters can be set for a specific temperature. You may want to get a stick-on thermometer as well, which will allow you to quickly check the water temperature whenever you glance at your aquarium.
Test your aquarium’s pH level with easy to use paper test strips which can be bought at any pet store. To use the strips, simply dip them in your aquarium water, and compare the resulting color to a provided chart.
Due to their aggressive temperament it is not recommended that you keep convict cichlids in the same tank with any other breed of fish. [14] X Research source There are several color variants to consider when choosing your fish. The regular black and white convict cichlids are the easiest to breed, but an albino variant known as the ivory cichlid and a pink variant are beautiful options as well. [15] X Research source
Once laid, the eggs will be carefully guarded by their parents. This is when convicts display their most aggressive behavior.
The parent fish will try to keep the fry in place for 10 to 14 days, after which time they may be ready to breed again. [18] X Research source At this time, you may want to consider moving the fry to their own nursery tank, as the parents will sometimes eat the first batch of fry to make room for the new eggs.
