Please Please Help!

[KonvictKeeper]

So I woke up this morning and saw my male convict chasing and attacking the female. I put him in a kritter keeper inside the tank. He's been in there all day. She isn't hurt or anything and is eating. How long should I keep him in there?

 

[KonvictKeeper]

Anyone?!?! She's been swimming around with her back end just above the gravel. Will she be ok???

 

[QuietPlotter]

Same just started with my Platys. Seasonal, maybe? And what other fish do you have in the tank? Is she clamped? Geez, as I write this, my male is chasing a female like she is food.

 

[QuietPlotter]

Hmm, well, is she eating? I say keep the male in the KK for a day or two and feed him plenty.

 

[QuietPlotter]

Just re read. If she is uninjured and eating, the male is probably breeding with another female in the tank (is he?) or has just established a new , larger territory and is defending it.


My male convict also kept chasing my female. I woke the next morning to find her finless and dead. I witnessed him beginning to attack my Jack Dempsey, who promptly ripped him to shreds. Maye it is just Convict madness?

 

[KonvictKeeper]

There are no other fish in the tank, besides the fry. She is eating and clamped. I'm getting worried.

 

[HN1]

They do that. They are mean fish. lol

As long as the female has a means of escape and refuge with decor, she should be ok. Do you have a tank to move the fry to? He may be ready to spawn, but she isn't because she is still brooding. Maybe?

 

[KonvictKeeper]

Thanks!!! So you think he wants to spawn but she still wants to take care of the babies? I've heard if you keep the babies with the parents too long that will happen. The fry have been in there for two months...

 

[jetajockey]

Sometimes mates will stress each other like that, I catch my female JD's pressed up alongside the filter intake next to the tank glass every now and again. If the fish looks injured or if it continues then I would separate them with eggcrate or separate tanks.


It sounds like it's definitely time to move the fry out also, that could be it.

 

[KonvictKeeper]

Thanks! I'll get the fry out.

 

[KonvictKeeper]

Oh, and can someone please explain why she swims like that? She doesn't do it all the time.

 

[KonvictKeeper]

I've decided to move the babies. I have another 10g tank I just set up. I have a heater in it and a sponge filter. One problem, it isn't cycled. Would it be bad to put ALL the fry in here?

 

[HN1]

I would move them and be prepared for daily water changes. Move some media over and you'll minimize how long. You'll need to start rehoming them soon I would think.

 

[KonvictKeeper]

Thanks! They're only about 1/2" though. I don't think anyone would take them. What do you think?

 

[HN1]

How old are they?

 

[KonvictKeeper]

I believe 2 months. They hatched Sept. 30th.

 

[HN1]

Have you asked at your LFS? Is there a local aquarium club? Not sure what to tell you honestly... a prolific pair of kribs can consume quite a lot of tank space.

 

[KonvictKeeper]

I asked my LFS, they said they're a little small.

 

[HN1]

Is there a club somewhat local to you? Last resort... craigslist I guess. If you were local to us, I might be interested in a few.