Laetacara dating - safe to move?

[Mud Pie Mama]

I have been growing out Laetacara dorsigera in a group of seven, as I've read they do better when allowed to naturally choose their mates. (Aside from the difficulty of determining sexes. ) So, I think I'm beginning to witness some pairing and pre-spawning behavior. They are in a 20 long, w/ about 30 corydoras pygmaeus, 8 threadfin rainbows, and a few endler females.

Question: when would it be safest to pull what appears to be a bonding pair? While it would be nice to see fry survive, I'm more interested in the pair developing a strong bond. I've read Laetacara can bond for life; I don't want to hinder this process. If I separate them into their own tank for "quality time" and no fry predators, will this disturb them too much? Or should I leave them to go thru spawning, probably loosing any eggs or fry, before a disruptive move to their own tank.

Some Observations / Fishy Stories:
Last night I observed two of my Laetacara working together to chase all other Laetacara to the opposite side of the tank. It seems they are favoring the back right corner behind some driftwood. However, they don't want just the corner, the other fish are only safe when they are pass the tank's midpoint. For the moment they are only chasing away the Laetacara but aren't bothered by the dwarf corys or threadfin rainbows swimming around and even in the corner.

I also saw them take a few breaks to shimmy and flare their fins to each other while swimming in a circle. Their colors have definately intensified. The smaller one is almost black!

I did see two funny things. First, at one point the male was so busy turning and chasing every Laetacara he saw, that he chased the girlfriend off. They were jointly working in the chasing operation. It took a few minutes until he noticed he was alone. He then halted his chasing and swam to her side, escorting her back to "their" side.

Later, I saw both fish down behind the driftwood. Every once in a while they would poke their heads out looking around. Just on the other side of the driftwood was another very dark Laetacara, hiding, waiting. When the male came out this one swam up and started shimming and flaring, as if saying look at me. He looked a little, then chased her off. I'm wondering if this was another female trying to steal this handsome guy.

 

[Chromedome]

Sounds to me like they may have already spawned, and are guarding eggs back in that corner. If they haven't already spawned, there certainly isn't any reason not to move the pair to another tank for breeding.

 

[bigbird]

Morning,
Agree, they are shwoing signs of guarding their spawn and fry area.
Look for the eggs, very tiny or fry. If they have not laid yet, they should shortly. I would not move them at this stage.
cheers jan-kurt

 

[Mud Pie Mama]

Success! Finally, three months later .



Besides being busy at work, as well as, preoccupied by a few of my other fishes' breeding. I had two unanticipated problems. One, although I could observe a very dominant, well bonded pair, both in their coloration and flirting behavior. And I saw clutches of eggs laid twice. However, when the aquarium lid came off and my net went into the tank; forget it! All colors would fade, behavior change (all fleeing/no flirting) and I would get them all mixed up again. :frown: Eventually I came up with the idea to work my way...backwards. Pull one fish, he/she is not "the couple". Wait a few days, let things settle down. Try again. If anyone has any special tip or tricks to share here?

Another thing, these fish turned out to be much more aggressive than I'd read anywhere. Perhaps, I've got a particularly ornery fish. Or, my pair was just way too upset by the first few clutches of eggs being lost. I did end up with several fish with bites around the faces. I really have to rethink what my plans are going to be with these fish.

If you'd like to read any more of my saga, or see more photos, please check out my thread at my local Planted Aquarium Forum: P.A.P.A.S:
http://www.homeofpapas.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=199
Just, please excuse my ramblings about figuring out how to post pic!