More than 2 male Frontosas per tank?

[Deepsouth]

Hi

Does anyone out there have more than 2 male frontosas in a single colony? I'm curious, because my tank is setup and I'm putting a colony together. It seems like most people sell them in trios, so I'm going to end up with quite a few males. I'm hoping that 3 or 4 males will get along ok in an 8' tank, but I'm having my doubts.

 

[cgronko]

most people have two males in their colony. I had a mix of frontosas and they were not aggressive at all! I can imagine more than 2 males being a problem.

 

[tr6]

many people have more then 1 male in way smaller tanks.
in fact, most go by the theory that extra males will convince the Alpha to breed to prove he is in charge.
All my years breeding frontosa i have never bought that myth.
extra males just take up space that could be used for more females. so myself i get rid of extra males, but yeah you usually have to buy frontosa is trio's so you do end up with extra males.
get rid of them or keep them, either way they will be fine.

 

[wheresalbany]

I've had multiple males in a smallish tank in the past with little issue. A little aggression at first, but once the hierarchy was set up, that's the last I saw of it.

 

[phobull]

I have 2 males with 5 females they seem ok, its cos there has to be one alfa male and one sub male. But they aint breeding still too young.

 

[Red Devil]

i have more males then females... all is well.. aggression in frontosa is kind of laid back nic picking.. i quess occasionally you can get one that is all out bully... but thats not usually the case.. they can live together with no problems... for many years... now when they get into to the full breeding mode.. things could be different.. i am not there yet..almost but still not there.

 

[tr6]

Frontosa are not like New World cichlids when breeding. They are not out to kill other fish in the tank.
Frontosa are not pair bonders, so they have no reason to kill other frontosa during spawning.
The pair will simply select a part of the tank, and they will chase other frontosa away from the SPOT, but thats about it.
Once the spawning is done, the male goes back to his cave, ignoring the other fish till its time to spawn again with another female.

The rest of the colony.
If all females, they just bicker amongst each other, with the holding females trying to stay out of the way.
If other males in the tank, they will go about posturing with each other while the Alpha male hides in his cave.

 

[gavigan1]

I tried to mix 5 large males in a 265. they constantly fought tearing apart fins. I got rid of 2 and added some hidding places- they get along a bit better now.

 

[Red Devil]

Frontosa are not like New World cichlids when breeding. They are not out to kill other fish in the tank.
Frontosa are not pair bonders, so they have no reason to kill other frontosa during spawning.
The pair will simply select a part of the tank, and they will chase other frontosa away from the SPOT, but thats about it.
Once the spawning is done, the male goes back to his cave, ignoring the other fish till its time to spawn again with another female.

The rest of the colony.
If all females, they just bicker amongst each other, with the holding females trying to stay out of the way.
If other males in the tank, they will go about posturing with each other while the Alpha male hides in his cave.

i hope mine are like this.. i would like to keep them all.. and all together.. good info...

 

[tr6]

There is of course variations in behavior.
i have had a few males that would kill females.
I'd get rid of them, and find a passive male.

Lower temperatures will help to make them a bit more passive.
raising juvies together to adulthood.
large enough colony.
Its debated upon having a hiding place for each fish, or a bare tank.
Some instances having zero caves means no territories to fight over,thus its claimed peace.
Other instances, many caves means each fish has a place to get away to hide, and thus be out of sight.
Over the years i have done both with mixed results, due to variations in behavior.