Harem

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kewpiefishypewpie

kewpiefishypewpie

Potamotrygon
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Jan 21, 2016
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Hello all, I recently learned about keeping CA/SA cichlids in harems and it has turned out to be quite the interesting subject. What are some common CA/SA's to keep in harems? I know Andinoacara Rivulatus can work and it's fairly common with African cichlids.
 
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kewpiefishypewpie said:
Hello all, I recently learned about keeping CA/SA cichlids in harems and it has turned out to be quite the interesting subject. What are some common CA/SA's to keep in harems? I know Andinoacara Rivulatus can work and it's fairly common with African cichlids.
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I have always done it for Jack Dempseys, I had 1;5 or 6 the 1st time back years ago and he bred with all of them, this time I tried to do 1; 6 and 3 ended up beng male so I sold 2 and have 1; 3 and one more that is "iffy" on sex. Convicts as well.....I got 1; 6 Pinks in my "SA" tank, and 2 female het. for Pink in another growout for later.

Really you can do any CA/SAs in harems, just remember a harem is at LEAST 3 females - if you only have they are likely to fight. It boils down to the individuals, not really the species. I bet if you had a big enough tank you could do 1; 6 w/ DOVII LOL Pretty sure people do harems of Peacock Bass too
 
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kewpiefishypewpie said:
What are some common CA/SA's to keep in harems?
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Just about any substrate spawner has the potential to be kept as a harem.
Though some species may be more inclined towards polygamy. Usually a larger size difference between male and female is an indication that a species has some tendency towards polygamy....but in an aquarium it's really the sex ratio that's allowing it or causing it to occur.
I've usually kept both convicts and salvini as harems. IME, males aren't generally tolerant of other males long term, but females can usually co-exist well enough. It's generally worked well for the most part, though there are many variables and always a few instances or times when it hasn't worked so well in a few different ways. Females can be pretty competitive with each other as well. And sometimes the male doesn't really keep them apart or females that loose favour too much when not paired with the male. Even with smaller CA, you need some space to make it work. 6 ft. tanks.
For some of the larger CA, you'd need huge tanks. Sometimes a dominant male can keep them apart, but the females could be awfully competitive with out huge space.
I really think a lot of Apistos that are considered polygamous aren't necessarily anymore inclined to be so, as any other substrate spawer.....it's just in captivity, there space requirements are tiny in comparison, and females aren't nearly as serious of competitors in comparison to larger cichlids.
 
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Any of the Geophagine species (which include Gymnogeophagus) and the Cribroheros such do well as long in harums as a large enough tank is provided.
I usually keep Gymnogeophagus in a harum of 1 male, and at least 3 females.

And had luck keeping many Cribroheros rostrum in and shoal situation.

 
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Interesting stuff so far guys, I appreciate the responses! I'm OK with keeping a fish by its self in a tank, in my eyes it's ideal for the fish and numerous cichlids are beautiful enough on their own to stand out. But my girl hates the idea and wants community tanks, I see the harem as a perfect compromise. A harem of Breidohri would be really cool.
 
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kewpiefishypewpie said:
Interesting stuff so far guys, I appreciate the responses! I'm OK with keeping a fish by its self in a tank, in my eyes it's ideal for the fish and numerous cichlids are beautiful enough on their own to stand out. But my girl hates the idea and wants community tanks, I see the harem as a perfect compromise. A harem of Breidohri would be really cool.
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yea and maybe she'll let you have a harem after seeing how well it works out for your fish LMAO
 
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Does anyone have any experience keeping Breidohri in a harem?
 
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