Green Terror Harem?

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RLHam3

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 29, 2008
536
9
48
Georgia
hey, so i've got a 75 with 5 juvie GT's in it right now. I was gonna keep them until one pair mated, but there's been a slight complication. I noticed today for the first time 2 mothers gaurding 2 sets of young. I never noticed either sets of eggs, but i did notice each of the females gaurding a specefic area last night.
My problem is that i'm pretty sure that there's only one male who would've fertilized the eggs. He's a lot bigger and more colorful than the other two males and is always chasing them around. I don't think he would've let another male breed in his aquarium. He's easily the alpha cichlid, but he still ahsn't messed with either mothers or set of young-uns all day. is it possible they formed a harem?
 
it possible he mated with both, more likely another male paired with the second female.... just wait to the next time or pull the fry and keep your eyes peeled
 
they're actually really small and i was suprised that they were old enough to mate at all, i think around 2-3". And the largest male seems to be protecteing both groups of young?
 
I've heard of a single male cichlid mating with two different females on opposite sides of the tank, but never actually seen it, must be an interesting sight. If I was you I'd remove the smaller males, no need for em to stay at this point... he'll prob. kill em at some point anyway.
 
It's called a trio and it's not too uncommon in CAs, although I don't know if I've personally heard about it happening with this particular species. It may work out long term, or eventually the male will fully pair with the female of his choice as they get older and at that point you'd have to remove the other female. Either way, remove the other fish if you don't want them to suffer, although as cruel as it may be they could strengthen the bond between the trio.
 
I had a male red devil breed with two females in a 110 its definetely possible for one male with two females,
but since you have more then one male theres probably a good chance there was another male involved,
I say remove the other males keep the big guy and any other females, three GT in a 75 will last at least a year
or more, do you have any pics?
 
I actually had the same thing happen. I introduced two females to my male GT to try to get a pair. He ended up breeding with both on opposite ends of the tank. Things went well at first until the fry became free swimming. Although the male got along with both females, they didn't get along with each other. Once the fry started swimming they formed one large school and the stronger female took control of all of them. At that point the male sided with her and the two killed the weaker female. Unfortunately all of this happened in a single day while I was at work and I didn't catch it in time to stop it. My male was around 8 inches at the time and the females 4 inches. Being that yours are a little smaller, things may work out for you. I'd just keep a close eye on them. Good luck.
 
I actually had the same thing happen. I introduced two females to my male GT to try to get a pair. He ended up breeding with both on opposite ends of the tank. Things went well at first until the fry became free swimming. Although the male got along with both females, they didn't get along with each other. Once the fry started swimming they formed one large school and the stronger female took control of all of them. At that point the male sided with her and the two killed the weaker female. Unfortunately all of this happened in a single day while I was at work and I didn't catch it in time to stop it. My male was around 8 inches at the time and the females 4 inches. Being that yours are a little smaller, things may work out for you. I'd just keep a close eye on them. Good luck.

I can definitely see that happening!
 
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