Hey all, I just bought some M. auratus today at petsmart. As soon as I put them in the tank after acclimation, the male instantly swam under some driftwood. He didn't come out for another 15 minutes, and when I looked in side he was making a little pit? Breeding behavior? And after that, he's now twitching his whole body, constantly. He wasn't doing this at the lfs, my water parameters are exactly where they are supposed to be. He is chasing the females a little, and after that continues his twitching. Any advice???
Auratus? Male Twitching?
- Thread starter Destroyer551
- Start date
40 gallon tank cycled for 1 and 1/2 months.
The auratus are the onlys one in there.
And the onlys ones I plan to keep in there.
The auratus are the onlys one in there.
And the onlys ones I plan to keep in there.
Oh, and 3 fathead minnows that were used to cycle. I forgot they were in there lol. He is only twitching towards the female auratus, he completly ignores the fatheads.
Hmm...I'm thinking he's trying to court? Out of the 3 females one of them is smaller and more skinny, not starving, but skinny. He only pays attention to the 2 much more plump females, which are his size. He's not twitching much anymore, but flashes his fins and almost "bows" to them. Is this courtship?
I'm not sure I can picture what is going on.
Usually the male will get right in front of a female, flare his fins, put on his best colors and twitch all over. Then he'll try and lead her to a cave. He'll repeat this over and over until he's successful. With more aggressive species the male will sometimes take a shot at the female for not participating.
Usually the male will get right in front of a female, flare his fins, put on his best colors and twitch all over. Then he'll try and lead her to a cave. He'll repeat this over and over until he's successful. With more aggressive species the male will sometimes take a shot at the female for not participating.
Spot on! That's exactlly whats happening! The females seem a bit shy, but he's working on them. I'm surprised the male wanted to spawn as soon as he was in the tank. I've heard clean water triggers spawning most of the time. Can that be the case? As I've had the tank up for 2 months without anything in it but 3 minnows.
I tested the water and ammonia was a bit high, so I did a 20% water change and rearanged some of the decor. But after that everything came together, the largest female was not eating, had a slight buldge in her mouth, and was starting to get very agressive. Turns out, she's holding, how many? Barely any, maybe 3-4. Enough to tell though with the slight buldge. Now My question is, will she abandon a brood that small? I'm kinda hoping cause she is fat with much more eggs. I want her to mate with my male and have more eggs. Now my other question, the male as dug a 2-3 inched grave under a flower pot, and is now searching and flashing to the females. He's trying to spawn with them right? So....one female not quite ready to spawn yet, one holding a few eggs/fry, and only one female ready to spawn. Just throw some random comments guys, I just want to hear your opinions.
is this shaking/twitching behavior common with other rift lake cichlids becuase my red zebra does this sometimes also to tanks mates and new fish