Agassizi Breeding in 10G tank?

[JG]

Here's the situation:

I have a 42G breeder's tank with a pair of altispinosa, 5 agassizi (2m/3f) and 2 ramirezi. My altispinosa have spawned a few times but due to Corys eating the eggs I haven't had any luck. The corys have been evicted.

Tanks:
42G - above 3 species are living in this tank
10G - empty
10G - empty

I have two 10G's that I'd like to use as breeding tanks. I'm trying to determine the best mix with the three different species. I'm keen on breeding the altispinosa and the agassizi. What would you do?

Thanks

JazzyB 8)

 

[farm41]

I would use the 42 for the breeding tank with a nice pair of aggies. No one else other than an otto or 2.

10 is kind of small. use it for a QT

 

[Z Man]

You have really answered your own question. I'd put the spawning pair of Altispinosa in one 10g and a pair or trio of Aggies in the other. Bare bottom, sponge filter, lots of Java moss and plenty of 3" & 4" clay flowerpots. You can always return the male or both to the main tank after you have wigglers. I always did my breeding that way. Only thing; after a while you have a lot of 10's.

 

[JG]

Thanks for the feedback.

With the altispinosas in the 10G I was thinking of having a sand substrate a few flat stones as that is what they've been laying their spawning on and some floating plants. How does that sounds?

I'm setting this up on the weekend and I'm hoping that it works.

JazzyB

 

[Apistt_ed]

...

actually I have my alanquer aggies in a 10 gallon tank with a sponge filter, light gravel, a small piece of driftwood, and a clay pot. That's it! they've been really good for a long time now... I have a new clutch every 4 1/2 weeks and the fry I take out once they've started to explore. My aggies are full grown. The male was very aggressive in the beginning but now gladly takes care of the fry when the female is cleaning the pot to spawn and so on. Who knows.. maybe its the individual fish's temperment?..

 

[JG]

Thanks for the tips folks.

 

[JG]

Update

Okay, I've managed to acquire a 20 gallong (long) that I'm going to use with the altispinosa. I was thinking of putting in a tank divider in my 42 gallon and attempting to breed two pairs of aggies in that. A question I have is how can you determine when the aggies have paired off? Would a safe guess be that when the female does not "run away" from the dominant male, as do the other females that they're becoming friendly?

Thanks,

J 8)

 

[Mike Wise]

A. agassizii does not form pairs. To them 'any port in a storm' works. The dominant male will probably breed with both females. Personally, I'd leave them all together in a tank your size. Even the Orinoco Rams shouldn't be a problem.

 

[JG]

I didn't realize that Mike. Thanks for the info. That's what happens when you can't find decent dwarf cichlid books in your area. LOL. I'm definitely putting the altispinosa in the 20L but I'll leave the 5 aggies (2m/3f) in the 42G.