Red terror breeding vs growth

[Beetlebug515]

Thank you both. Paige

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

sorry, I was fighting through lag trying to deal with an annoying opponent.....

yes, growth is stunted not only by the fact that spawning/breeding takes it's toll on the female's body and uses up a large amount of her nutrients, but also on top of that it makes it even worse in the fact that they will not eat while guarding eggs and fry for quite some time. So add that together and you end up with very nutrient deprived parents - ever wonder why a pregnant woman eats so much? That baby is draining everything she's got out of her.....this is why I recommend waiting until ANY living creature is a decent size before breeding, at least the female.

You can breed a 4" male to a 10" female if she accepts him ( and I have done it) - he'll be ok, but SHE is the one you need to worry about when it comes to having enough body fat, strength, "Umph", and when you look at her before breeding, you need to ask yourself "Will she be ok IF she does not eat for 3-6 months (or however long you decide to leave the fry w/ the parents)???"

Guarantee you haven't done this with Festae...

 

[Frank Castle]

Guarantee you haven't done this with Festae...

not yet.........

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Beeeding does take a toll on the females but not as much if it's done right. My males obviously haven't ever skipped a beat, in fact breedin speeds up my males growth. I suggest using a divider in the tank so the pair can continue a relationship through the divider. It's tough enough as is trying to pair and breed Festae. Once you've established a pair, it's much easier to continue the bonding process through a divider if needed. This will help the pair stay bonded and alllow for proper nutrition and may even help speed up the process. All depends on who's raising the fish.

 

[Frank Castle]

Beeeding does take a toll on the females but not as much if it's done right. My males obviously haven't ever skipped a beat, in fact breedin speeds up my males growth. I suggest using a divider in the tank so the pair can continue a relationship through the divider. It's tough enough as is trying to pair and breed Festae. Once you've established a pair, it's much easier to continue the bonding process through a divider if needed. This will help the pair stay bonded and alllow for proper nutrition and may even help speed up the process. All depends on who's raising the fish.

good to know since i just got my 1st Festae last night - now i will be searching for a female

 

[Beetlebug515]

Beeeding does take a toll on the females but not as much if it's done right. My males obviously haven't ever skipped a beat, in fact breedin speeds up my males growth. I suggest using a divider in the tank so the pair can continue a relationship through the divider. It's tough enough as is trying to pair and breed Festae. Once you've established a pair, it's much easier to continue the bonding process through a divider if needed. This will help the pair stay bonded and alllow for proper nutrition and may even help speed up the process. All depends on who's raising the fish.

You don't think the female will continue to lay with the male nearby?

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

You don't think the female will continue to lay with the male nearby?

Festae aren't known to be very prolific. Yes it can happen, but if you don't condition her or set up anywhere for her to lay next to the divider, you'll be fine. If she lays all the time, then people will envy you. Definitely not something to complain about lol

 

[importracer]

So a couple days ago a pair of my festae had dropped breeding tunes. I'm assuming they laid in the night and ate the eggs. The problem is, the male and female are probably 4" max. I've read that certain cichlid species stop growing, or slow down drastically, when they start spawning. Is this true? I'm worried because they appear to be a fairly slow growing species as it is. Thanks in advance.

Whatever you case is, congrats on a confirmed breeding pair.......Two things I leave you with-------->50% water changes per week and varied diet.......