Frustrating 'Xingu I's

[CrystalizedHairs]

So after three weeks of cohabitation, my male X1 started being overly aggressive to the female, forcing me to put her on the other side of the divider again. It's so frustrating. All three pikes seem to want to breed, the male just may be too large, ~4" larger.

I've tried both females over and over. I start them divided until the female starts her belly dance. At this point, I remove the divider. There is usually a bunch of posturing and some mild chasing by the male, at which point they follow each other around. Anywhere from one to three weeks later, the male's tube starts to descend, and their relationship dissolves. Any thoughts? If the male is just too big for the females, I'm not sure what I can do. Both females are about 12".

Some pics taken today.
Male C. sp. 'Xingu I', 15+". He was frightened after me catching the female.

Female C. sp. 'Xingu I', 12". She was paired up with him, up until today.

Female C. sp. 'Xingu I', 11". Almost back to 100% from last pairing with her.

Any ideas?

 

[yoimb0b]

beautiful pikes man, I had a 15" male xingu 1 that I sadly lost to a power outage. Best of luck with the breeding tho!

 

[sicxspeed]

damn, 15 inches.....There is the answer to everyone wondering about how big these get....But they are beautiful. Hopefully that 2nd female is going to be able to pair up with the big boy without a beating this time. Good luck....

 

[Taz2478]

they dont try anything between the divider?
could be the water. might need to try different temps, change water more or one of the amazon/blackwater products.
keep trying and gl...

 

[ShadowStryder]

Did they grow up together or are you trying to form a pair out of adults? It is much harder to force bonds with adults. Much better with juvies growing up together and letting a bond develop naturally, letting them choose a mate.
But even with that it is still very difficult to get eggs, then a hatching from lugibris species after that.

 

[DavidWpg]

Beautiful Fish....sorry no ideas other than what you're already doing...David

 

[Miles]

Get some almond leaves..

 

[CrystalizedHairs]

Thanks for all the replies.

they dont try anything between the divider?
could be the water. might need to try different temps, change water more or one of the amazon/blackwater products.
keep trying and gl...

They never have. It's hard to provide a proper spawing site and enough visual room for courtship next to the divider. Currently, the temp stays at 82, but I do a 50% water change almost every day with the temp dropping to about 70. I was soaking peat, but absolutely too much work. I just added a couple new peices of mopani wood. More tanins then I can deal with. Miles has some almond leaves for me.

Did they grow up together or are you trying to form a pair out of adults? It is much harder to force bonds with adults. Much better with juvies growing up together and letting a bond develop naturally, letting them choose a mate.
But even with that it is still very difficult to get eggs, then a hatching from lugibris species after that.

They did grow up together, but not by me. They were also seperated to different homes, nullifying them growing up together. Yeah, yeah, I know. They do seem to pair up, they just don't go all the way.

So I decided to use a new technique. First, I used the same female as the last time (just got beat). I did this because she is larger and has brighter coloring currently. I took the divider out and put the male in a plastic basket weighed down with a rock. I then placed wood all over and around half of it. This makes it so he can display to the female as well as have access to the spawing site.

I have a feeling it is the water hardness. Extremely hard. I've been looking at RO, DI, and RO/DI units. I really like most DI units because they don't waste water and have rechargeable resins. Any preferences here? Particular brands?

 

[ShadowStryder]

Thanks for all the replies.



They never have. It's hard to provide a proper spawing site and enough visual room for courtship next to the divider. Currently, the temp stays at 82, but I do a 50% water change almost every day with the temp dropping to about 70. I was soaking peat, but absolutely too much work. I just added a couple new peices of mopani wood. More tanins then I can deal with. Miles has some almond leaves for me.



They did grow up together, but not by me. They were also seperated to different homes, nullifying them growing up together. Yeah, yeah, I know. They do seem to pair up, they just don't go all the way.

So I decided to use a new technique. First, I used the same female as the last time (just got beat). I did this because she is larger and has brighter coloring currently. I took the divider out and put the male in a plastic basket weighed down with a rock. I then placed wood all over and around half of it. This makes it so he can display to the female as well as have access to the spawing site.

I have a feeling it is the water hardness. Extremely hard. I've been looking at RO, DI, and RO/DI units. I really like most DI units because they don't waste water and have rechargeable resins. Any preferences here? Particular brands?

I have never used one. But will consider it when my marms get older.
Scat is the one to talk to, I know he was using an RO with his Lents, but
but removed it recently I believe. Definitely agree that the Hardness is a big culprit.

 

[Miles]

Any updates J?