A. rositae

[tompoz]

I have acquired 1+2 of A. rositae and need advice. The male and larger female get along well but the smaller female is chased away by the other female. The aggressive female shows spawning coloring.
Is it just because it is their first days in a new tank and the larger female is getting ready for breeding or such behavior will be permanent?
The tank is 16 gallons with the bottom measuring 24"x14".

 

[Mike Wise]

You're lucky that the pair hasn't already killed the extra female. A. rositae is a nijsseni-group species. They tend to form a bi-parental bond during breeding, unlike most other apistos. As such, both of the bonded pair will try to drive any extra apistos out of there territory. In a tank that is your size, my guess is that they consider the entire tank as their territory. If you have a male & female that truly show that they are a pair, it is best to remove other bottom-dwelling fish. At least put a piece of floating pipe in the tank, where the extra female can hide away from the bottom.

 

[tompoz]

Thanks Mike. I have observed that the pair is also chasing away few otos that I have put in the tank, so this fully confirms your feedback.

 

[animalmgc]

I've had a recent runn in with my Rositaes The male kept eating the babies I assumed last5 batch I took out then momma laid another batch that hatched and she killed the male I assume That mommy Rositae is a beautiful fish will post pics later

 

[tompoz]

Rescue mission completed! She is now safe, back in LFS.