First attempt at breeding Cacatuoides

[WeehawkenFish]

Hey everyone, I'm new here, really excited to take a crack at breeding. I bought a beautiful pair of cacatuoides about 10 weeks ago. After a few weeks of flirting and health, my original female developed Popeye. I tried several different meds and nothing worked, and she unfortunately passed a couple weeks ago.

It was very upsetting. But here I am now with a very healthy male cacatuoides, and tomorrow is the day my LFS is supposed to get a new dwarf cichlid shipment. After some research I've decided I'm going to add two females this time. My question is, since he's probably about 2-3 months older than the females, should I grow them out for a couple weeks in my 2nd tank? I set up a 2nd tank this week so that, in case I'm successful, I have somewhere to remove the male. But I'm thinking maybe it's wise to put a little more size on them before I add them to his tank? Thanks.

 

[Ben Rhau]

As long as the females are at sexual maturity (at least 4-5 mos of age) the size difference shouldn't matter. You should quarantine the new fish, however.

 

[Mike Wise]

I would. Maybe, if the tank is adequate, set the females up in a quarantine tank that will be their future breeding tank. Then, after a month or two - and the females appear healthy - add the male to the females' tank. By that time the females will have established individual territories and a 'pecking order'. When the male is introduced he will not be in his old territory (the entire tank), so he will be less dominant at introduction.

 

[WeehawkenFish]

@Mike Wise thanks, this was my initial plan. But after some thought I decided it might be wise to try the breeding in the original tank because it is heavily planted and very well established. Whereas the new tank doesn't have a lot of plant coverage. I also know my male apisto has done very well in the established one so it feels like the right call. But I suppose I could do either way.