Harems or pairs?

[aarhud]

Hello,

Which spawning behavior do you find more interesting in larger tanks? Harems or pairs? Why?

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
As long as you keep away from the pair forming species (The A. panduro, baenschi etc group) they are more interesting as a harem. I've found for A. cacatuoides and A. trifasciata that you can have at least 7 females to every male, as long as the females all have enough space to form territories and there is sufficient cover/caves. The combination I've found that didn't work very well was 1M 2F as this always leads to dominant female and stressed non-dominant.

The advantages of having a harem is that it gives the females a rest, if you only have a pair the male tends to bother the female constantly (a particular problem with A. trifasciata), and it also gives some "outside interest" for the male when the female has fry and she is in "aggressive defence" mode.

Another advantage is that you get female - female interaction with boundary disputes, fry stealing etc.

I don't have any large tanks, so I've never been successful with more than one male in a tank, but this would be a possibility for species like A. borellii.

cheers Darrel

 

[Csababá]

?

Is it a fact that panduros form only pairs? I read somewhere that they harem-breeding is possible too. Are the exclusively "pair-breeding" apistos, dwarf cichlids?

 

[Mike Wise]

A. panduro, like other members of the nijsseni-group, generally form breeding pairs. These aren't permanent like some of the larger cichlids, but only for one breeding session. If is better partner is found, then the pair will split and a new one will form. In aquariums without major threats, pair bonding can break down and sometimes a fish (usually a male) will breed with more than one partner.

 

[Csababá]

thx

Thank you. Does it mean that in the case of 1m2f the extra female is attacked by both members of the pair?

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, quite often.

 

[Csababá]

Thank you. I was offered cheap panduro females and hoped to keep them in harem which worked nicely with cacas. What can I do with 1m and 3f?

 

[Mike Wise]

1 m + 3 f is a good way to buy this type of fish. Allow the male to choose a mate. Then sell the other females. Too often hobbyists buy only a pair and end up with only a male, because the "pair" is not compatible.