Auratus? Male Twitching?

[Blue2Fyre]

Congrats on the hold! It's not uncommon for females to loose their first few holds. It takes them a couple tries to get it right. Just make sure the male isn't harassing her too much.

As far as the twitching, several of my mbuna females will do it to each other to show who's boss. The males will do it mostly for breeding but sometimes will show off to a new fish to show they are in charge.

 

[Destroyer551]

Thanks ash, but now I'm not too sure. She ate, a little at least. But the slight buldge and her agressiveness is still there. I kinda wish it was a bigger brood, but oh well, I'm more worried about her harassing the other females more than the male annoying her. I can tell this is a young male too, they are all around 2-3 inches, and the male still doesn't have his full color. Yet another question, the male is still digging his pit under a slate, but he chases away the females as soon as the get too close. He'll wander off a bit and flash to the females just a little, but seems more focused on keeping a territory, is this spawning behavior? He doesn't seem to skilled on showing off too the females.

 

[Destroyer551]

I'm heading back to the lfs to return one of the females, it's just too young and is only about 1.5 inches. The male keeps picking on it. I'll switch it out with a larger female.

 

[Destroyer551]

Nothing much to report, the male is still digging his pit. I can tell this is an inexperienced male, he swims up to the female, shows his fins just a little. And runs back to his pit, hoping they followed. I know that when I first added the fish to the tank, he went crazy. Twitching all over and flashed to the females like mad. Is there anything to do that will trigger spawning?
Or at least help?

 

[Blue2Fyre]

Mine usually get frisky after a water change, especially if the water is a little cooler. Otherwise they'll get it right eventually. Mbuna love to breed.

 

[Destroyer551]

I definately know they will breed eventually. I never really kept african cichlids before so this is new to me, especially since these guys are mouthbrooders. What's the growth rate on auratus, say..per month? Mine are still a bit small, the male is mature but not too sure about the females. Maybe the larger female, which I can tell isn't holding anymore. No more buldge, and she's eating. I think she had it since she was at the petstore.
So about the growth rate?...