Convict Cichlids Fighting After Unsuccessful Spawn

[Soco]

Hey everyone

Sorry I am a noob with cichlids and I have a few questions about breeding and such.

I have 2 Convict cichlids, in the middle of last week they laid their first batch of eggs and the fry hatched last week thursday but unfortunately something went wrong and the fry lasted for a few days and then died It has nothing to do with water conditions as far as I know, water is pristine.

However since the passing of the fry, my male convict has decided to constantly chase the female around, he was very placid before and had no anger issues at all until the passing of the fry.

Is this normal? The female has a hiding spot where the male can't get to her so when he chases her around she has somewhere to go, but he pretty much watches her and if she pokes her head out far enough he has a little go at her, but if she comes out to eat he will chase her until she goes back to hiding.

Sorry for the extremely long winded message I just need to know if there is anything in particular I should do?

 

[convict360]

What size is the tank?

 

[Soco]

slightly over 25 gallons

 

[xraycer]

Basically, now that the breeding process has ended, the dominate fish has returned to what nature has programmed it to be, greedy and selfish. Its a behavior programmed into animals in order to increase its chances of survival in the wild. Just because they've mated, doesn't mean they'll remain "friends" afterwards

 

[Soco]

Thanks for the replies

If there anything I can do in the mean time? Im currently looking for a divider that will fit my tank properly so she can have some freedom to swim about without him being an ass haha

 

[Soco]

I also read somewhere that once they pair off, they are paired for life. Is this true and will he calm down on his own?

 

[xraycer]

will he calm down on his own?

Probably not. He's just a cichlid, being a cichlid.....especially in such a space

 

[Soco]

Is 25.5 gallons not big enough for the two of them?

 

[xraycer]

Is 25.5 gallons not big enough for the two of them?

Honestly, no. A 55 would be an ideal minimum. A larger tank would also allow you to add dither fish to get all the attention off the female

 

[convict360]

I'd say 25 is plenty personally, a divider might be necessary; but I'd be inclined to try sight breaks and plenty of hiding places first. What are the tank dimensions?