Some good points in this thread. First and most important, but the divider up now. Make is a complete divider...no access either way. Make sure to put a flat stone on the female's side right next to the divider. You added two adult fish. That's a recipe for disaster...and when it happens you won't be watching the tank. The divider will give them time to adjust to each other AND if it's going to happen, breed. They will do it right through the divider.
As mentioned, larger guapote do have that weird "post partum" aggression. This in particular with fish that they are not familiar and on a first breeding attempt. Other things you have working against you, if either of those fish pair bonded with another, it will be difficult, but not impossible to breed. In general YOU picking either mate instead of the fish choosing....is a crap shoot at best.
Once the fish have been divided keep an eye on them. If there is any sign of them "recognizing" each other, do a big....50-75% water change and bump up the temperature a few degrees. Do this weekly...each time bumping it up. When water gets TOO warm, go the other direction dropping it and making it cooler. The tank size could be larger, but will work for now provided you don't have other fish in there.
The divider is key. Not only to keep them safe, but it will also amp them up for breeding...if it's going to happen.
As mentioned, larger guapote do have that weird "post partum" aggression. This in particular with fish that they are not familiar and on a first breeding attempt. Other things you have working against you, if either of those fish pair bonded with another, it will be difficult, but not impossible to breed. In general YOU picking either mate instead of the fish choosing....is a crap shoot at best.
Once the fish have been divided keep an eye on them. If there is any sign of them "recognizing" each other, do a big....50-75% water change and bump up the temperature a few degrees. Do this weekly...each time bumping it up. When water gets TOO warm, go the other direction dropping it and making it cooler. The tank size could be larger, but will work for now provided you don't have other fish in there.
The divider is key. Not only to keep them safe, but it will also amp them up for breeding...if it's going to happen.




