Agassizi problems

[Matthew Clark]

I apologize for the endless bombardment of questions. I actually consider myself quite knowledgeable when it comes to general aquarium information, but apisots(and breeding) are quite new to me.

SO here's my question:

pH 6.0
GH 1dgh
Temp 80
feeding maily frozen bloodworms and FD tubifex
1 male and 1 female(waiting for lfs to get more agassizi in to ad more females)

My male is definetly ready to spawn. Although not quite full grown, his color is absolutely brillant, and he consatntly displays for the female. The problem is, the female is uninterested, and as a result, she is getting harassed. He routinely displays for her and when she fails to respond, he cahses her around the tank, nipping at her tale. Now she is afraid to come to the bottom of the tank, and hangs near the top. What should I do?

Matthew

 

[Neil]

Matthew,
Much or your problem will probably be minimized by adding another female or two to the mix. But, as it stands, I would probably do little aside from making sure the female gets food! This is a very common senerio and qiuite often the female will get chased until she is ready to spawn. Although she may not accept your male as a valid partner, this does not happen often. If she is eating then it is likely she has eggs developing and will be ready sooner than later. You water is good, so I would go under the assumption that this is the storm before the rainbow.
There is almost always aggression as a precursor to spawning and sometimes it is worse than others. I wrote about this very subject in an article on Apistogramma.com called Apistogramma Deathmatch 2000. If the aggression gets bad there is a few suggestions in there for moderating it. But I wouldn't be surprised if you did nothing (except get food to the female) and they spawned. Hope all goes well. Neil
ps. Don't woory about the "endless bombardment of questions". That is the whole point of this forum.

 

[farm41]

We all benefit from the questions, even if it's not the same situation going on in my tank right now, it may be soon. I read 'em all just to learn more.

 

[Matthew Clark]

Thank you, Neil.

Matthew Clark