Breeding female flowerhorn and texas hybrid

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
I have a 5inc goldenbase flowerhorn, she is very feisty and so far has rejected a male of the same size. So I bought a 9inc male texas hybrid. They have a divider in place, the female is showing the same aggressiveness she always does. Spitting sand, twitching her head, basically all the usual territorial signs.
The male seems very passive even though he could probably fit her head in his mouth lol. I am wanting to let her into his side of the tank but my senses tell me not to.
Also the tank was all hers before he came so that probably has a lot to do with it because it was her territory. The male has only been there 4 days and has settled in nicely and is not shy or scared at all. I have been told to not introduce them for a month so I need some feedback on that to.
Any advice will be taken on board and appreciated. Thank you
 

troublesum

Dovii
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2007
579
497
102
Astoria, NY
You could try and remove her to another tank for a day or 2 let the big male get use to the tank then rearrange everything and reintroduce her.
I had a similar issue with my female Festae when i got a big male Midas i had a divider they would both charge the divider flaring up and the head shacks i removed the divider watched closely for about 6 hours all bluff now they are homies
if you try it that way watch closely dont eat dont go the the bathroom just watch and be ready to separate
 
  • Like
Reactions: pav

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
You could try and remove her to another tank for a day or 2 let the big male get use to the tank then rearrange everything and reintroduce her.
I had a similar issue with my female Festae when i got a big male Midas i had a divider they would both charge the divider flaring up and the head shacks i removed the divider watched closely for about 6 hours all bluff now they are homies
if you try it that way watch closely dont eat dont go the the bathroom just watch and be ready to separate
I let them have some play time, everything went well for about 5hrs. When the female flowerhorn started to clean the dish, she got aggressive and then the male had enough and started chasing her. I then put the divider back in place. Now the female is cleaning the dish on her side. I think I will now wait until she lays again and then I will let the male back in.
If she still is aggressive after laying eggs, then I will remove her completely to see if the male will fertilise them or eat them lol. The male is already looking ready for her to drop eggs but she is such a maniac and doesn't seem to tolerate any fish male or female. She is one of them difficult ones I'm guessing
 

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
I let them have some play time, everything went well for about 5hrs. When the female flowerhorn started to clean the dish, she got aggressive and then the male had enough and started chasing her. I then put the divider back in place. Now the female is cleaning the dish on her side. I think I will now wait until she lays again and then I will let the male back in.
If she still is aggressive after laying eggs, then I will remove her completely to see if the male will fertilise them or eat them lol. The male is already looking ready for her to drop eggs but she is such a maniac and doesn't seem to tolerate any fish male or female. She is one of them difficult ones I'm guessing
Another funny occurrence, the male is attacking his own reflection on the side of the tank which he's never done before, so I'm guessing he thinks he is seeing another male
 

troublesum

Dovii
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2007
579
497
102
Astoria, NY
If you went that far let them hang out for a minute Cichlid breeding is kind of violent i would let them do there thing until one of them is running scared or stuck up in the corner
Yes your male is attacking the glass not because he sees another male but because he sees another fish which could be competition for breed rights, food and territory
 
  • Like
Reactions: pav

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
I'll keep you posted, I'll give them another go tomorrow. She is spitting sand at him, he is being calm even though he Could rip her to pieces. I'll message you tomorrow after they have interacted and hopefully we both will see a good outcome, thanks bro, appreciate the advice
 

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
If you went that far let them hang out for a minute Cichlid breeding is kind of violent i would let them do there thing until one of them is running scared or stuck up in the corner
Yes your male is attacking the glass not because he sees another male but because he sees another fish which could be competition for breed rights, food and territory
A moment ago
New
Add bookmark
#6
I'll keep you posted, I'll give them another go tomorrow. She is spitting sand at him, he is being calm even though he Could rip her to pieces. I'll message you tomorrow after they have interacted and hopefully we both will see a good outcome, thanks bro, appreciate the advice
 
  • Like
Reactions: troublesum

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
If you went that far let them hang out for a minute Cichlid breeding is kind of violent i would let them do there thing until one of them is running scared or stuck up in the corner
Yes your male is attacking the glass not because he sees another male but because he sees another fish which could be competition for breed rights, food and territory
A moment ago
New
Add bookmark
#6
I'll keep you posted, I'll give them another go tomorrow. She is spitting sand at him, he is being calm even though he Could rip her to pieces. I'll message you tomorrow after they. have interacted and hopefully we both will see a good outcome, thanks bro, appreciate the advice
I put them on together, the female keeps having a dig at it and then the male turns on her , chasing her around until she it up in the corners. It doesn't seem these two will bond I'm guessing. I have put the divider back but the is a gap for her to get in and out but it's too small for the male to gain entry. I am now wondering, is the male, male? I'm going to put some photos for you to look at. The shop said it was a male but I'm wondering now

20241122_153226.jpg

Screenshot_20241122_135514_Gallery.jpg

20241122_135300.jpg

20241122_134303.jpg
 

pav

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 21, 2024
12
1
3
Well that didn't go well either . She kept going out with attitude, ended up with a ripped tail. The supposed male, was getting even more nasty with some lunge bites. So think it's probably best to keep separated.
What I will try is to move the eggs over to the male after she has layed and see it will fertilise them, let me know what you think later?👍
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store