introducing cacatuoides females

[RLHam3]

So I've had a really good looking double red cacatuoides in a 29 gal (110 liters) for the past 6 months. I saw him at the store and he looked so good that i had to have him. besides being gourgeous, he's also one of the largest cacatuoides I've ever seen. Right now he's a little over 2.5 inches. I just received 3 females who are all barely over 1.25 inches. The females are currently in a QT tank. Will the male be aggressive and territorial and pose a threat to these females if i move them into his tank?

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, it is possible that your male will be aggressive toward the females if they are not ready to breed. Fortunately the aggression will be spread between 3 females. I have to say that a 29H may be too small for 4 apistos unless it is heavily decorated with suitable territorial boundaries and multiple hiding places for each fish. My suggestion is to remove the male to the quarantine tank when you move the females into the 29. Add a couple of lengths of floating pipe to the 29, too. The females will sort out dominance and establish breeding territories. Any female that cannot establish a territory will eventually find refuge at the top of the tank in the floating pipes. It would be best to remove any 'losers' from the tank if you want to save them. Once the females have established territories, you can re-introduce the male to the tank. If all goes well you will get a breeding trio/quartet. Just be careful once the females breed. If 2 have fry at the same time (common), your male will be open to attacks by both females if he cannot escape from their brood territories in such a relatively small aquarium

 

[RLHam3]

Hey just letting you guys know that one of the females didn't make it, but the other 2 seem very comfortable in their 10 gal for now.

What kind of pipes did you have in mind that float?

 

[Mike Wise]

The black PBS (polybutylstyrene) pipe used for water (mostly lawn sprinkler systems) floats. I buy a length of straight pipe, not the coiled form and cut it in to 4"/10cm lengths.