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Which female to keep ?

Jebe

New Member
Messages
12
Location
France
Hi everyone,
I have three young Apistogramma baenschi in a 80L (21 gal) tank. One is a male and the other two females (a 4th was removed and turned out to be female too). They are nearly 6 months old and the two remaining females are turning a beautiful yellow.

I cannot safely keep both females here. But which one should stay with the male ?
Candidate 1 is paler but she has her own territory, and the male seems to tolerate/ignore her when she gets close.
20201026_203018.jpg
.
20201026_200415.jpg


Candidate 2 has a more prononced yellow colors (nearly golden) but is picked up a lot by both the male and the other female. She doesn't have a territory of her own and hangs out on the male's, which leads to countless chases.
20201026_203031.jpg


Sooo... which one should move out ?
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Yes, I too would have kept all 3 together until they decided which was the breeding pair. Although not a choosy about breeding partners as some nijsseni-group species, A. baenschi will prefer one mate over another. This makes breeding more harmonious and successful.
 

Jebe

New Member
Messages
12
Location
France
So... Moving the 3rd female was a hasty move ?
Should I bring all 3 females back with the male, at the risk one or two get killed? Or wait and see of the pair gets well together, and switch females if not ?
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
If both the male and female were attacking the other female, then they had already established a breeding bond (not really a pair bond). If so then it was best to removed the picked-on female.
 

Jebe

New Member
Messages
12
Location
France
Thank you. Tonight, I saw the remaining female trying to guide the male to her cave - it seems like things are not going to bad.
 

Jebe

New Member
Messages
12
Location
France
Small update.
The tank definitely calmed down since the 2nd female moved out. There are a few short chases in the pair, but also long periods searching for food side by side in the dead leaves. The female tried to lure the male in her cave a few time (with no success so far).
20201028_212906.jpg

20201106_001415-1.jpg
 

Andy452

Member
Messages
39
Beautiful fish! Sounds like some spawning could be just around the corner - good luck :)
 

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