Seperating Males

[krudolph]

I have two more males to take out of one of my breeding tanks to leave two pairs. Before I do, I need some input.

I had taken three males out of another tank and put them in my community tank. Two others from that group have their own tanks (with females) and have fully grown out and look great. In the community tank with the three new males (no females) one has grown larger and is now the dominant male. The two others have not shown much growth. I presume that is the way it works?

So here is my question, I will be putting the two males in a separate 10G until I decide what to do with them. They are currently caught in the cross fire with the other two pairs. Although they were not the dominate males from their tank, but both have nice markings and I would like to see them fully fill out. I presume if I put them both in the new tank one will become the dominate and hopefully will grow out. If I put a divider between them, will it keep one from being the dominate male and maybe they both will grow out? Again, I just want them to both grow out.

 

[gerald]

Yes, good idea -- a divider will let them display at each other without any real fighting, so each male can think of himself as the dominant fish, and grow to his full potential. I often find that smaller late-blooming males can have the best colors. For picking your future breeders, make sure the head, jaws, and body shape are normal too; color shouldn't be the only selection criterion.

 

[krudolph]

Interesting on the later bloomers. One thought was to see how they develop and if I like them better than the two males in there, I will switch them out later. I am new to apistos so I don't have the eye for judging the best characteristics.

I figure it cannot hurt to have the divider, so I think I will give it a try....