My first pikes, odd behavior

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TheLorax

Gambusia
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2011
108
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16
Houston, TX
Was very excited to find Crenicichla notopthalmus at the LFS, and bought a male and female a couple weeks ago. Both looked healthy, the female even had a fat belly. After a day or two of hiding, they came out to beg for food and I fed them bloodworms. The next few days, they still spent most of the time hiding but would come out for food. Then the female disappeared. I didn't see her at all for 3 days and thought she might be dead. She finally came out and hovered around a plant for a while so I knew she was alive but now I haven't seen her in 5 days. The male still appears every afternoon and waits for food but the female never comes out. My tank is a 90g, moderately planted with enough wood so that they can stay totally hidden. Temp 81, ammonia and nitrites 0, nitrates <5. Only other fish are 5 cardinal tetras (down from 9) and 2 BNPs. Any ideas? I think 1 or 2 cardinals probably got sucked into the filter because I barely rescued one from in there but maybe she ate some of them at night and hides the rest of the time? I'd rather not remove all the wood since some of it is weighed down with rocks and I'm not sure it's waterlogged yet. Thinking bout buying another female before the LFS sells out.

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sounds like they may have spawned.
I wouldn't put another in that tank if you have a pair. they are very territorial towards each other.
 
What are the water parameters? PH KH and GH? The males can be brutal towards the females. When mine mated she did disappear for a couple of days. But did eat after spending 3 days hiding in a piece of driftwood with the eggs. Its was also noticeable that the pair where hanging with each other peacefully before they mated. The tetras wont last long. If you want to save them remove them now. My male was able to eat full grown guppies with no problems.
 
Could they really have spawned that fast? I didn't expect them to, since I read they need soft water and are difficult to breed. I'm just afraid he might have killed her or stressed her out into hiding all the time.

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TheLorax said:
Could they really have spawned that fast? I didn't expect them to, since I read they need soft water and are difficult to breed. I'm just afraid he might have killed her or stressed her out into hiding all the time.

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Its possible but I doubt it. They are hard to breed an require very soft water to breed. My guess is he fighting with her. Feed them well. If shes still ok they may pair up. Try a larger tetra species as a dither. Something they cant fit in their mouths. I used juvie silver dollars for my pair. Also make sure there are a lot of hiding spaces for her.
 
That's what I had figured. There are tons of hiding places, enough that I never see her. I thought getting another female might spread out his aggression. Maybe I should just get rid of the male, the female is way cooler looking anyways. Would 2 females be okay?

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I started with a trio. However the pair was already established. The guy I bought them from started with 2 pairs. The other male didn't last long. Then a pair formed and the other female was picked on relentlessly. When I got them, it was tough for him to tell exactly which one was the dominant female. We figured it was the fatter of the two (and it was). Within a day the other female was in a corner. I was able to remove her and save her. The pair was getting very aggressive with her. She wouldn't have lasted long. She's in a 180 with other SA fish and doing great. The catch is she's not as colorful as the female in the pair. I think to get full color from the female, you'll need the male. Since you have 90, you should be able to get away with another pair of small cichlids. That may help enforce any pair bond, that may develop. Give the male some other targets.
 
I added some geos. He doesn't really mess with them. Today I got impatient and removed the large piece of wood I thought she was hiding under. Nothing. Checked everywhere, even around the tank in case she jumped out. No trace. I think maybe I'll try another female if I can find one and see what happens....

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My cardinals are gone and the male is fatter than ever. I'm pretty sure he killed and ate the first female. I thought compressiceps were the crazy ones! I got the last female from the LFS a few days ago, the male chases her off if she gets close but she's doing well. Eats pellets, unlike the male and doesn't hide or act stressed. I'm worried he'll kill the female so I might get rid of him, although I think she's doing better than the first one since there are other cichlids in the tank. Thinking about getting congo tetras for schooling fish now.

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