Breeding tank setup: dither fish and trio or pair?

[raymond82]

Dear all,
I've set up a breeding tank (15 gallons) for my A. Macmasteri and I have a couple of questions:

I have a trio (1m/2f) of Macmasteri, is it better to take a pair and put them separately or to put the trio?

Is it necessary/helpful to have dither fish in the aquarium?

Thank you!

 

[Mike Wise]

Your tank might not be large enough for 2 females, but you can try first. If one female is continually harassed by the other female, then I would remove her. Dithers are not absolutely necessary, but sometimes less diligent mothers become more attentive with a dither in the tank. A. macmasteri usually are pretty good mothers.

 

[raymond82]

Thanks! The trio was in a community tank before (with a pair of Nannacara Anomala) and I had the feeling that the females took turns in becoming ready to spawn. No real spawning ever happened (sometimes a female would occupy a cave for a while but I'v never seen any fry), but since they appear to cycle in their readiness to spawn I thought I had better chances with two females. For now I'll just leave it at the male and one female, the tank is filled up with wood and leaves so taking a fish out will be pretty difficult.

If dithers are not necessary to induce spawning behavior I will not introduce them. I put the male and one female in the breeding tank yesterday and they both (but mainly the male) seem very shy, and I thought dithers might help them overcome they're shyness. But probably I just have to be patient and let them get used to the new aquarium.