domestic abuse in cacatuoides

[uberape]

My male cockatoo (Ike) is relentlessly bullying my female (Tina). The tanks size is 2 and a 1/2 ft long 1ft high 1ft wide. They have tank mates of 3 black phantom tetra 2 tetra same size and 2 synodontis petricola, 1 of which is a baby. there is many different features I will attach a pic if i can. He keeps her under a piece of slate like a slave and she fights against him every now and again but she is losing the battle, losing her colour and im sure soon her appetite. please help. I am getting a bigger tank soon and may buy a small one for the female, any other advice, is it normal???????????????


the uploading limits on this site are useless so i posted a pic on rmft
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/photo-main.php/35621

 

[Hmoobthor]

Either move things around to destroy the territory issue cause I don't think they are breeding.

Second tips is to get more cave in there.

 

[uberape]

ok

does this mean they will never breed?

there are perhaps five caves already the problem is the catfish seems to use them at its leisure, i will put a few more in.

 

[Mike Wise]

A. cacatuoides is a polygamous species. The male's sole purpose is to guard a territory in which several females will 'stake out' breeding territories. Some males will only allow females ready to breed into their territory. It seems like you have such a male. If this was my tank, I would rearrange all of the aquascaping and introduce another female of about equal size to the present female. Just be certain the each female has it own breeding territory with distinct boundaries. The male will be less 'demanding' with two females to occupy his time.

 

[uberape]

ok

alright thanks, the shop has some coming in a week, so ive put a little perspex barrier across one corner until then and she seems alot better already.