Subdominant Festae coloration question

[Crazylegs78]

Hello all, and thanks in advance for the help. This is my first group of festae, so go easy on me...

I have been growing out a group of 4 wild caught festae in a stock tank for the summer. Now that cooler weather is here I pulled them into the fishroom. I've got two 6-7" females, a 5" male, and a 4" female. One of the large females is dominant and colored accordingly. My goal is to have a nice colorful pair, so if I remove the two large females, the smaller fish should color up, correct? Or should I begin looking for a much larger, already dominant male and get rid of the subdominant fish?

 

[Rocksor]

The bright colors you like are the result of dominance or breeding colors. When alone the colors will fade. Let the females choose the male, don't force the pairing by removing the other females. There is no guarantee the smaller female will choose the male.

 

[BIG-G]

In my experience with a group it’s easier to get a pair if the male is larger.
That’s not to say the dominant female won’t pair with a smaller male.

If you are just wanting to see what the sub dominant females will look like you will need to move the dominant female then the lesser female will become dominant and so on down the line.

 

[Crazylegs78]

Ok, so even though the male is the second smallest fish, my chances are best if the group is left alone for now? Perhaps no pairing will occur until he outgrows the females? Breeding isn't so much my goal as just having a very nice pair.

 

[tlindsey]

Ok, so even though the male is the second smallest fish, my chances are best if the group is left alone for now? Perhaps no pairing will occur until he outgrows the females? Breeding isn't so much my goal as just having a very nice pair.

Welcome aboard
I agree with Rocksor and BIG-G . It's best to let them naturally pair off.

 

[Rocksor]

Pairing is a rather rough and tumble sort for festae. Keep an eye on them and have a plan B for the male. Females are generally hard on the males.

 

[Crazylegs78]

Thanks for the input everyone! Here's some pics of the festae and some carpintis that were purchased at 2" and grown out in a 350g stock tank over the summer. Now they're in a 210g in the fishroom.