Istlanum aggression

[cichlidinsomniac]

It took me a few attempts to get a good pair... Males are very picky it seems and they'll only really spawn when they're a decent size....

They'll actually spawn at a very young age/small size. Grow outs from my first pair started spawning at about 5-6 months old, the male was about 3.5" and the female around 2.5". Here is a video from their third spawn after I separated them from the others.
[video=youtube;lyaB6fhf_7Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyaB6fhf_7Q[/video]

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

If your down to 2, then it's a good chance that they are a pair, or m/f anyways. If you have them divided then go ahead and leave it untill they get around 3.5" then post pics. And maybe give it another go. I've kept them on and off over the last decade and have had great success with them. They are very aggressive, especially towards each other and you will need a divider handy for moments notices when they disagreed. Lol. Otherwise you'll learn the hard way like many others have.


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[Cyberman]

They'll actually spawn at a very young age/small size. Grow outs from my first pair started spawning at about 5-6 months old, the male was about 3.5" and the female around 2.5". Here is a video from their third spawn after I separated them from the others.
[video=youtube;lyaB6fhf_7Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyaB6fhf_7Q[/video]

Yes I've had pairs spawn at the size before...... but to be a viable productive pair - it takes time. Very often the male will take out the female after a failed spawning so beware.

Also, its not recommended to spawn any cichlid at a young age... females can become stunted. Its best to get them at a more adult size so you can appreciate them at their true potential.

 

[cichlidinsomniac]

Yes I've had pairs spawn at the size before...... but to be a viable productive pair - it takes time. Very often the male will take out the female after a failed spawning so beware.

Also, its not recommended to spawn any cichlid at a young age... females can become stunted. Its best to get them at a more adult size so you can appreciate them at their true potential.

I have to disagree. Even at that small size they were producing tons of fry and consistently. Who would recommend trying to pair aggressive cichlids up at a larger size over letting them chose their mate out of a large group at a small size, seems a bit contrarian.

 

[duanes]

Whenever I grow out young, commonly considered aggressive cichlids together, I expect to lose 90%.
The only way I expect to keep 80 - 90%, is to grow them in separate tanks, or separate compartments.

 

[Cyberman]

I have to disagree. Even at that small size they were producing tons of fry and consistently. Who would recommend trying to pair aggressive cichlids up at a larger size over letting them chose their mate out of a large group at a small size, seems a bit contrarian.

Well your experiences seem to contradict mine and besides which I never inbreed my cichlids, which is what you're doing... It can cause all sorts of problems.

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Well your experiences seem to contradict mine and besides which I never inbreed my cichlids, which is what you're doing... It can cause all sorts of problems.

Look not to stir anything up.. But I have always paired my cichlids out as early as they decided to anywhere from 3-6". And in my findings the whole breeding at small sizes will stunt females have not been true.. Infact I believe it has helped my females actually grow faster than ones that didn't pair and spawn. I have just recently seen it proven again in two cases. One with umbee females and another white Festae.
With the umbees, I used one to pair and left other in growout tank. The female that paired and spawned is much bigger than the other. And in Festae case, both paired but only one has spawned and is a good deal bigger than other. All fish in this started the same size. There is no inbreeding in these scenarios.

As far as inbreeding goes, imo It doesn't hurt the genetics at all untill you get a couple generations in. F1 fish for example are just as genetically sound as wild fish. It is a possible feat but to hear someone say that they never inbreed is a little absolute. You may have never intentionally bred siblings but accidents can happen.


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[Reaper13]

If your down to 2, then it's a good chance that they are a pair, or m/f anyways. If you have them divided then go ahead and leave it untill they get around 3.5" then post pics. And maybe give it another go. I've kept them on and off over the last decade and have had great success with them. They are very aggressive, especially towards each other and you will need a divider handy for moments notices when they disagreed. Lol. Otherwise you'll learn the hard way like many others have.


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It was the hard way. I put the divider up, but they were so small couldn't keep them contained. The male stressed the female to bloat. I have 2 stashed in a 20L, but as my luck goes they're both males. On the bright side they're quality males.

 

[Cyberman]

Yeah what do I know... I've only been keeping and breeding CA for the past 30 years... that's no substitute, is it.

Look not to stir anything up.. But I have always paired my cichlids out as early as they decided to anywhere from 3-6". And in my findings the whole breeding at small sizes will stunt females have not been true.. Infact I believe it has helped my females actually grow faster than ones that didn't pair and spawn. I have just recently seen it proven again in two cases. One with umbee females and another white Festae.
With the umbees, I used one to pair and left other in growout tank. The female that paired and spawned is much bigger than the other. And in Festae case, both paired but only one has spawned and is a good deal bigger than other. All fish in this started the same size. There is no inbreeding in these scenarios.

As far as inbreeding goes, imo It doesn't hurt the genetics at all untill you get a couple generations in. F1 fish for example are just as genetically sound as wild fish. It is a possible feat but to hear someone say that they never inbreed is a little absolute. You may have never intentionally bred siblings but accidents can happen.


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[cichlidinsomniac]

Well your experiences seem to contradict mine and besides which I never inbreed my cichlids, which is what you're doing... It can cause all sorts of problems.

You can't refute my argument so you resort to ad hominem, lets try to stay civil and on topic Phil.