convict cichlid pair

Question
My convict cichlids have just laid there first batch of eggs.i have a piece of decoration in there they dug it out and made like a burrow under there is that where the eggs are being protected until birth?how long before they hatch?and is it true after a while the parents will eat them?please get back to me and thank you for your time.Matt

Answer
Hi Matt,
  The parents will guard the eggs for about 3 days until they hatch.  At that point, the eggs hatch into wrigglers.  Wrigglers can't swim -- they can only wriggle (hence the name).  The parents often hide the wrigglers in a pit for about 3 to 4 days, then the wrigglers become free-swimming fry and the parents will guard the school of fry.  It's great stuff to watch.  I leave the kids in with the parents for about 3 weeks to a month or so.  There is always a chance that the parents will eat the kids, but watching the parental care is the best part of keeping convicts.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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