A. Panduro Blackwater, Aggressive Female!

[Joe Turner]

Hi Guys,

I've been a lurker on this forum for quite a while, and have in that time absorbed a lot of information.

The time has come however to post my 2 cents, a 110l Blackwater, specifically set up to breed Apisto's.

I started off with a beautiful group of A. atathualpa, however the whole shipment died (in the shop) and only one female survived in my setup.

So. I turned to A. panduro.

I picked the best male and female from a group of about 50. Once in the tank they looked great together, investigating the new surroundings side by side. Next morning, male is gone. I let a few days pass and dug around the tank looking for him. Nope, gone.

So, I go and get another, which is subsequently bullied much like the first one must have been.

In an attempt to spread the aggression, I added another 2 females. So far, it seems to be going OK. I see the male every now and then, whilst the other two sub dominant females are frequently seen. The dominant female looks incredible! Canary yellow with jet black patches on her lateral side and chin.

Nothing gets near her, or is allowed near food (they are all well fed, I just spread live bloodworm and brine shrimp all over).

There is plenty driftwood, almond leaves, floating plants (Frogbit) for them to use as cover, as well as 5/6 Nannostomus beckfordi.

Should I expect this aggression to slowly diminish as they mature together? Or am I better just trying to remove this female?

I will post a full tank thread with in depth photo's soon, I just wanted to fire a question at you guys

Thanks for reading, I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[Mike Wise]

I can't say. Fish are individuals. Some are naturally more aggressive than others no matter how they are housed.

 

[abrooks12376]

My female is a psycho too, male can take it though, he forced the last fem. to jump the tank. Funny thing is I have a glass top, she hit a hole the size of a quarter to escape. They're extremely aggressive apistos. Not that I have a ton of experience but she literally kills snails when in spawn, she flips them and won't let them right themselves and they die.. it's awesome... love my panduros..

 

[Mike Wise]

Additionally, A. panduro don't mate with just any other panduro. They can be very choosy.

 

[Joe Turner]

I have since removed the largest female as she was driving the smaller ones to the point of death. Next female has stepped up and has put on her spawning colours, defending the ceramic cave in the middle of the tank. I'm considering adding a second spawning site such as a piece of slate, to encourage another female to establish a territory.

Fingers crossed!

 

[abrooks12376]

They prefer caves, they may undermine the slate which is fine I'm sure..