M/F red devil minimum tank requirements.??

[iplaylacrosse6]

I know for a breeding pair of RD cichlids it is a minimum of about 90+ gollons but most likely more, but I want to know how small can you actually go without really putting one of your fish at serious risk.

I have a M RD about 11'' and he is in a 75g right now. I have had him for a long time and he has been displaying his fins really nicely, cleared out a nice clear spot on some rock in the tank for breeding and just hangs around there waiting for his Lady to ocme around (who isnt there abviously)

Is it possible in my size tank, with a large amount or barriers, and egg-crate seperation, to possibly get a female RD from my LFS and try and see what happens?? I dont want to put them at serious risk, i know sometimes some fish wont pair up no matter the tank size, but with a 75g is it a gaurenteed suicide?

I have had RD's for a long time, and know this is not normally advised, but any answer besides just ....NO, will help, I would like to know a serious % possibility Thanks

 

[Aquanero]

I don't think your fish will be happy with having his thank cut in half and will most likly not accept the female. Having said that if you want to try see what happens. Just have a place for the female if it doesn't work out.

 

[FishingOut]

75 is pretty much the absolute smallest tank I would recommend breeding devils in. If you plan on breeding, You should definatly have a tank seporator on standby.
As for a female, Its really just going to depend on his personal temperment. The best way to go about introducing her is have a hole in the barrier only she can fit through. That way she cant get too beat up. And when shes ready to breed she will go over and spawn, usually. No gaurentee, but probable. Thats if your RD is a woman beater, Some can be rather gentle. And in that case, they can have more room to swim freely.

 

[Natalie]

The possibility of the male accepting a female isn't great, especially since he's been alone in that 75g for a long time ahd he's full grown. It's easier to get two juvies to pair up as they grow. It might be that he immediately shows aggression and kills her. Or... they might spawn successfully and then when he decides he's had enough of her, he kills her. I agree with what Aquanero said. Putting a divider into a 75g is going to cut down on his swimming space a lot, and might make him even more aggressive. It's pretty risky. But if you keep an eye on the female and have the ability to remove her as soon as she's in danger, then you could try it.

 

[iplaylacrosse6]

thanks for the input, I was thinking along the same lines as every comment. If I do decide to do it I'll toss some pictures up and keep you guys updated...Thanks again!