Hi,
I have a pair of cacatuoides, both are generally of quite good/ relaxed temperament with the male occasionally pestering the female but nothing serious.
Recently they spawned, the female has been guarding a cave for a few days, from a quick torch flash it looks like they may have now hatched. The female's behaviour has been as expected but still quite relaxed, general guarding of an area but not crazy aggression and no signs of stress etc.
However the male has become very aggressive towards a group of hyphessobrycon elachys in the tank, but ignores and keeps his distance from the female - almost hides from her but I haven't noticed any aggression from her towards him? She is also tiny compared to him.
The tetra keep to themselves and don't bother the female or male, however whenever he sees one he flares and charges at it a few times. This becomes extreme when feeding.
Is this some form of normal breeding behaviour whereby he is attempting to protect the eggs/fry/female? I have not seen it before with other apisto's.
Only thing I can think is that he feels slightly displaced by the female as she spawned in an area where he would typically spend time, and he is now trying to chase the tetra out of a new territory?
I have a separate (empty) set-up btw in case anything gets too out of control with the aggression.
I have a pair of cacatuoides, both are generally of quite good/ relaxed temperament with the male occasionally pestering the female but nothing serious.
Recently they spawned, the female has been guarding a cave for a few days, from a quick torch flash it looks like they may have now hatched. The female's behaviour has been as expected but still quite relaxed, general guarding of an area but not crazy aggression and no signs of stress etc.
However the male has become very aggressive towards a group of hyphessobrycon elachys in the tank, but ignores and keeps his distance from the female - almost hides from her but I haven't noticed any aggression from her towards him? She is also tiny compared to him.
The tetra keep to themselves and don't bother the female or male, however whenever he sees one he flares and charges at it a few times. This becomes extreme when feeding.
Is this some form of normal breeding behaviour whereby he is attempting to protect the eggs/fry/female? I have not seen it before with other apisto's.
Only thing I can think is that he feels slightly displaced by the female as she spawned in an area where he would typically spend time, and he is now trying to chase the tetra out of a new territory?
I have a separate (empty) set-up btw in case anything gets too out of control with the aggression.
