A. agassizii Spawning Behavior

[HookedOnFish_MI]

I decided to get my female a male friend last weekend and was excited to see her behavior change last night. They’re in a 75 gallon aquarium. She would repeatedly swim to him and then turn a bit to her side to flash her yellow belly, and then swim back towards her cave. He appears to be too young to be interested though. He’s maybe just under 1.5”. Any idea what an approx. male spawning size is? I don’t know his age…

Additionally, I was even more surprised to see this behavior since the ph in this tank is about 7.4. I thought A. agassizii were picky about having ph lower towards the mid 6s for spawning?

 

[Mike Wise]

Size isn't as important as age. As for pH, yes aggies generally reproduce better at a lower pH, but they will try to spawn in anything they can live in. Successful reproduction is less likely to happen however.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Size isn't as important as age. As for pH, yes aggies generally reproduce better at a lower pH, but they will try to spawn in anything they can live in. Successful reproduction is less likely to happen however.

Thank you for the information. If they eventually spawn and there is no success, I can move them to my 15 gallon where the ph is just under 7. Trying to further reduce it.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Is there any chance the “male” posted above could be a female? My confirmed female continues to show spawning behavior towards “him”, leaning to flash her yellow belly…but today I noticed “he” did the same to her once and then swam into a cave.

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, it is possible, but it is just as possible that it is a young male 1½" males look much like females. I suggest some patience. You should know if it is a male or not in a month or 2.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Yes, it is possible, but it is just as possible that it is a young male 1½" males look much like females. I suggest some patience. You should know if it is a male or not in a month or 2.

Ok, thank you very much.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Yes, it is possible, but it is just as possible that it is a young male 1½" males look much like females. I suggest some patience. You should know if it is a male or not in a month or 2.

Hello! This little guy or gal is about 2” now. Can anyone help to sex please?

 

[yukondog]

I'll through my guess out there, young male.