How to get rotkiels to pair

[batang_mcdo]

Hi,

I have about 8 pcs adult rotkiels in my 300 gal tank. about 3 months ago, a pair emerged, they laid eggs, but eventually the eggs were eaten by other tankmates , i only have 1 female, about 7 adult males.

when the eggs were eaten, the male chased the female away, now i don't know if i still have a pair in there. any way to identify, get them to pair up again?

setup is barebuttom tank with an 12 inch arowana , some clown loaches and pleco.

If i can identify the pair, i'll be getting rid of the other rotkiels and just leave an arowana and move my motoros into the 300 gal tank.

thanks

 

[peathenster]

You should have enough time to move the other fish after the pair forms again. I'm guess the male is probably a dominant one. There is a chance that if you remove 6 males, the male left behind will pair with the female, but why risking it?

 

[batang_mcdo]

You should have enough time to move the other fish after the pair forms again. I'm guess the male is probably a dominant one. There is a chance that if you remove 6 males, the male left behind will pair with the female, but why risking it?

thanks. will observe closely, yestderday i saw a male and the female cleaning a corner of the tank. but the most dominant fish in the tank is my asian arowana. Will observe closely . I also have a divider, problem is i have no pots inside for them to lay their eggs on. will try to add a pot.

 

[peathenster]

not sure how the aro feels about a divider but I guess 300 is big enough.

Sometimes having a third fish (of the same species) around can make the pair bond better. What they'll do to the third fish is another story...

 

[batang_mcdo]

not sure how the aro feels about a divider but I guess 300 is big enough.

Sometimes having a third fish (of the same species) around can make the pair bond better. What they'll do to the third fish is another story...

thanks. Also experienced before with my severum pair, when i removed the other fish, the male will sometimes be aggressive towards the female, but if with other fish, they will protect eggs together

 

[batang_mcdo]

My pair finally laid eggs again, Was able to place a divider between them and my arowana and other rotkiels, hope some of the fries survive

 

[peathenster]

congrats! They are some of my favorites.

post some pics when you get a chance!