Fertlisation question.

[Deeman]

My Ap. Mac. female has excavated very small entrances under two coconut halves.
Does the male have to enter the 'cave', or can he fertilise the eggs from outside?
The entrance seems to be too small for him.

 

[Shane Puthuparambil]

He will flood the cave if he can't get in. My EBR just spawned!!! Electric Blue Rams are awesome spawners too!

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[Mike Wise]

No, the male doesn't need to enter the breeding cave - and most females prefer it that way!

 

[Deeman]

Thanks Mike.
Does the female Mac usually stay in the cave after a successful spawn? My only experience with Dwarfs is Kribs. My female Krib would stay in the cave for a few days, fanning the eggs until they hatched.
With my Macs, the female goes from cave to cave, and doesn't stay in for any length of time. The male sometimes follows her, but only stays by the cave entrance for a second or two. The female will then come out and look for him. I get the feeling she wants to breed, but he isn't ready for some reason. I'm feeding a selection of live foods to try and get him interested.

 

[Mike Wise]

Females vary individually and by species. Some stay close, some 'wander'. My guess is that it depends on how comfortable she is with her surroundings and tankmates. In apistos, it is the females who decide when, with whom, and where they will spawn. If the female isn't showing interest in the male now, she just might need more time.

 

[Deeman]

Sorry I wasn't clear, Mike. It seems to be the male that isn't interested. She does her 'dance' and leads him to a cave. He doesn't seem interested though, and often just swims away after she enters.
Just time, I suppose.

 

[Shane Puthuparambil]

Male will figure it out. Some are that way. Is he small?


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[Deeman]

The male is slightly bigger. Both are around 2".

 

[Deeman]

 

[gerald]

More live or fresh foods might help get him into condition: chopped earthworms, mosquito larvae, blackworms, fresh shrimp ...

 

[Deeman]

I've been trying bloodworm. Any live food needs to be heavy enough to get past the tetras.
I may try some chopped up shrimp.