210 gallon Frontosa build

[danotaylor]

Seems to be dominance/territorial behavior mate. Not that finnage is a clear indicator of sex, but the dorsal/anal fins on the "female" that Homer was harassing the most of the 2 are developing a male type look to them. I had a sub-dominant mikula in my previous group that, once the dominant male died, 1 of my "female" appearing fish became the dominant male. Not saying that is the case here, but it could explain some of the territorial aggression

 

[Caperguy99]

Seems to be dominance/territorial behavior mate. Not that finnage is a clear indicator of sex, but the dorsal/anal fins on the "female" that Homer was harassing the most of the 2 are developing a male type look to them. I had a sub-dominant mikula in my previous group that, once the dominant male died, 1 of my "female" appearing fish became the dominant male. Not saying that is the case here, but it could explain some of the territorial aggression

Wow thanks for the insight - I’ll keep an eye on that definitely.

Would be of interest especially since I bought it specifically as a “sexed” female.

 

[danotaylor]

Would be of interest especially since I bought it specifically as a “sexed” female.

I hear ya. From memory you said your "females were 4" when you bought them. I have been pretty successfully venting african cichlids for 15 years. I attempted to to vent my 3.5-4.5" moba the day they arrived. VERY difficult at that size. I gave up after the first 6 cause in all honesty it was still a 50/50 guess since there's only 2 genders. Oh, in the fish world I meant

 

[ken31cay]

I hear ya. From memory you said your "females were 4" when you bought them. I have been pretty successfully venting african cichlids for 15 years. I attempted to to vent my 3.5-4.5" moba the day they arrived. VERY difficult at that size. I gave up after the first 6 cause in all honesty it was still a 50/50 guess since there's only 2 genders. Oh, in the fish world I meant

 

[Caperguy99]

A few glamour shots of the pugilists -

The first is Homer, the others are the two “females”.

I’ve also included a shot of a smaller onlooker who’s trying to stay out of the fray.

 

[Caperguy99]

Alright, in keeping with tradition for any Frontosa keeper who has grown them out for 18 months or so, we’re going to play “guess that Frontosa!”

Essentially, Homer has been deposed from his favorite cave by my largest “female” - who Dan was wondering if it’s actually a male.

Homer now spends his time front and centre, still bold as brass, but he’s definitely been evicted from the prime real estate.

So, I’ve taken a few pictures. Let me know what you think, in terms of sex.

Here’s Homer:



And here’s “Marge” - or maybe “Moe”

 

[danotaylor]

Healthy happy looking mobas mate. As I said in an earlier post, finnage alone is not a clear indicator at this size, but Marge/Moe does have very similar dorsal/anal fin features

 

[danotaylor]

Healthy happy looking mobas mate. As I said in an earlier post, finnage alone is not a clear indicator at this size, but Marge/Moe does have very similar dorsal/anal fin features

To Homer that is

 

[Caperguy99]

What’s up with some of the Frontosa sometimes squeezing into too-small caves and sort of laying down? Do cichlids do this sometimes?

No concerning behavior, as they still act normal, but periodically one or another will squeeze into a small cave and sort of chill there - almost like it’s laying down to go to sleep for a minute.

What’s up with that?

 

[ken31cay]

I have 29 Moba currently and about half the time I can find one laying on the sand (upright) next to a rock. Same thing with other groups I've had.