Interested in a firemouth pair

[swifty]

I've scoured the net for a bit and couldn't find the exact answered I needed. I chose to post here because out of all the forums out there I feel I'll get some good advice here, as a previous question I had netted good results.

I currently have a school of black skirt tetras, and what I believe is a male firemouth in my 20g long. (http://i.imgur.com/KXnO41Z.jpg Some help confirming sex?)

I have two Aquaclear 50 filters and do 50% water changes weekly, but have been experimenting with 10-15%.

So, on to my questions:

-He's been with me since the setup of my tank, which was about 6 months ago. He was bullied by a convict and BNP, and was the bully of a festivum. He's currently alone since I removed the festivum a few days ago and isn't as lively as he was before. Would it be safe to add a female? The female firemouth is my only option as every other similar sized cichlid will either be bullied, or bully him.

-I'm concerned if I add the female they'll breed. I do have a LFS that takes in fish for credit, but I don't want them to breed. I just want him to have a partner so he isn't alone. Do they breed as easily as convicts? Or is there a way to "prevent" them for breeding? Or will they just eat the eggs/fry if I don't seperate them?

 

[Crazy mike]

IMO a 20 is much to small to breed firemouths, there is no way to prevent them from breeding but they aren't as prolific as convicts, a LFS may take the fry for credit but don't expect much since they aren't especially rare or in high demand


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[doomiedee]

I wouldn't breed em in nothing less then a 40 breeder. But like mike said there isn't much market for them. If you have shipping experience you could try selling fry on aquabid.com


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[swifty]

Ah, I see. I figured since they're similar sized/tempered as convicts and people breed them in 10-20 gallons, that it'd be doable.

 

[doomiedee]

They out grow convicts and aren't as prolific breeders. They will only lay 3-4 times a year. 10-20 gallons isn't appropriate even for convicts.


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[Crazy mike]

People use 20s(which is not at all appropriate) to breed convicts as feeders usually. Like stated firemouths won't breed nearly as much as convicts do. Are trying to breed for fun or feeders?


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[fug202]

So, on to my questions:

-He's been with me since the setup of my tank, which was about 6 months ago. He was bullied by a convict and BNP, and was the bully of a festivum. He's currently alone since I removed the festivum a few days ago and isn't as lively as he was before. Would it be safe to add a female? The female firemouth is my only option as every other similar sized cichlid will either be bullied, or bully him.

-I'm concerned if I add the female they'll breed. I do have a LFS that takes in fish for credit, but I don't want them to breed. I just want him to have a partner so he isn't alone. Do they breed as easily as convicts? Or is there a way to "prevent" them for breeding? Or will they just eat the eggs/fry if I don't seperate them?

It's not really bullying behavior you've been experiencing - it's just how cichlids (and BNP) behave. They are territorial, and skirmishes/dominance behavior will break out, especially in tanks that are too small to hold multiple territories. If you get another firemouth (or another cichlid for that matter) there will likely be similar aggressive behavior. It may settle down if a pair forms, but just as likely there will be one of the two that ends up cowering in the corner. I'm not sure I'd worry about your fish 'being lonely' - cichlids are not generally dependent on others for company. The reason your current firemouth isn't as lively as it was is that it has no rivals to contest for space.

 

[swifty]

I was prepared for cichlid aggression, but the BNP really took me by surprise.

I've done enough testing with cichlids so I think I'll leave him alone, but plan to upgrade the tank so I'll make a different thread for that.

He's seeming to warm up to me again. Maybe he was just spooked because I took 2 of his tankmates away in the span of 10 days, re-scaped the tank about 4 times in 2 weeks, and did about 4-6 water changes over that same span of 10 days.

 

[fug202]

I was prepared for cichlid aggression, but the BNP really took me by surprise.

I've done enough testing with cichlids so I think I'll leave him alone, but plan to upgrade the tank so I'll make a different thread for that.

He's seeming to warm up to me again. Maybe he was just spooked because I took 2 of his tankmates away in the span of 10 days, re-scaped the tank about 4 times in 2 weeks, and did about 4-6 water changes over that same span of 10 days.

Yeah, BNPs can be pretty possessive of a rock or small area they want to call their own. I've got one in a 125 gallon that defends the center of the tank against a bunch of cichlids. It's fun to watch because the cichlids don't take it seriously but the BNP doesn't give up.

I bet your firemouth will settle in nicely once things calm down. And with a bigger tank down the road your options will open up.