A. Caca aggression

[flyinmysoup]

Hi guys!

I'm new to this forum but I must say since joining I've learnt a great deal from all of you here.

Just a quick question. I've got a pair of A. Caca which was purchased recently. The male seems to be edgy all the time and chasing the female all over the tank (10 gallon). My question is, is he displaying mating signals perhaps a little too strongly or is he plain aggressive?

I have a good mind to seperate them for a while but was worried the aggression might return once I put them back.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[aspen]

hi edmund. some fish will be agressive, but you should try and manage this agression as best you can before making the move to separate them. separating 2 fish that you want to pair is a last resort imo. add more cover, add a few other fish, like say 4 neon tetras or a few oto's to give them a 'common enemy' or add a second female and see how it goes. leave the lights out. i wouldn't separate them till there are shredded fins or marks on the fish, or if one fish gives up and is hiding in the top corner of the tank behind the heater etc. as small as the females are, this agression may very well be directed in reverse if the female gets a mind for it. once things settle down, then you will see some peace ime.

you are trying to get them to pair bond. softening the water and feeding with live food (say bbs) might help. adding a second female seems to make an unreceptive female more receptive.

rick

 

[flyinmysoup]

Thanks!

Hi aspen! And thank you so much for the valuable sharing.

The female is getting it real bad and I found her cowering in a corner of the tank beside the briftwood and the tank sides just out of his reach. He doesn't seem to hunt her down though, which I thought was a good sign. Perhaps this little 'cubby corner' would give her some time to regain some of the strength lost in escaping his advances.

I'll try managing the water parameters and the tip on live food.

Really appreciate your advice!

 

[Neil]

flyinmysoup,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Aspen gives some good advice here. It sounds a little funny, but what is happening is not far off from what is supposed to happen in a fishtank. Pretty much normal Cichlid behavior. Some species are better than others, but most have, at least some chasing and running between male and female. If there is no fin-ripping or scale-flying going on, it is probably going to be fine. Just keep a close eye to make sure there is no EXCESSIVE violence between them and you will likely see the male taking up the position beside the driftwood soon, if the female spawns.

Neil

 

[flyinmysoup]

Thanks! I've got eggs!

Thanks Neil, for your warm welcome.

The aggression has died down and guess what! I've got eggs under the driftwood! They are bright orange in color and I reckon there must be about 15 eggs there neatly placed in a small area. The male has been real tender and was always careful to get out of the female's way.

Patience really paid off. This is a neat fish to have and this is a neat forum with the most helpful people. Thanks a bunch!

Cheers!

Edmund

 

[aspen]

congratulations edmund! in the coming weeks if you are lucky, you will see why so many of us are hooked on dwarf cichlids, ie, parental care in small tanks. now, get to work researching the ways to keep the fry healthy and happy. practice hatching some bbs, this is good food for the parents too.

and get another tank, you will be a 'cichlid rancher' in no time, and you wil need growout space. get into the cycle, another tank, raise some fish for credit at the lfs, then another tank, another species etc etc etc. it is addictive, and you got the bug.

have a good day, rick

 

[flyinmysoup]

Aspen:

I am getting what you mean dude! I've been watching them so much once I get home nowadays. They are real beautiful and the male is always flaring at me to get my face off his turf. The female is a gorgeous yellow gold and every inch the perfect Mom they are touted to be.

Tomorrow's Saturday..... think some LFS around my area is gonna get some business.... Hehe....

Thanks for your encouragement!

Cheers!

Edmund Lee