Pair bond broken? Advice needed.

[ktluvsfish]

I went to the LFS tonight and picked up my pair of Geophagus Iporangensis that I purchased a week ago. They were guarding their fry and behaving as normal cichlid parents do. They were both out swimming around and were displaying to the fish is the tanks next to theirs. I did not bring any of the fry home as the LFS wanted to grow them out and sell them.

When I got them home, as soon as I got them out of the bag, the male immediately started chasing the female. The female was very intrigued by the tetras and started chasing them. I figured they were just defining their territories in the new tank, and that they would work things out. I'm beginning to get a bit worried though because its been three hours, and the male is out swimming in the front of the tank and the female is hiding at the top against the heater.

I think that transporting them may have broken their pair bond if this is possible. I am not sure if I should remove one of them, but I don't have a backup tank to use... The tank has a ton of rocks and driftwood with lots of breaks in the line of sight. Should I be worried, or should I give them until the morning to see if the female with come out and they will will work things out. I would appreciate any advice you guys have

 

[TahoeFish]

I think you need to give them a week. It is terribly stressful for the fish to move tanks. They are feeling threatened right now and will chase and defend until they know what is up with their new surroundings. In addition, I don't know about the geo, but the breeding cichlids I've had... you have to get use to the fine line between fishy love and fishy hate. Pairs fight. My angels often go through a mutual agressive state right after their eggs have been eaten by the pleco.

Good luck and give them time. Lots of hiding places and maybe get a divider just so you have it. I doubt the bond is truly broken.

 

[smitty03281964]

Part of the problem could be is that since they do not have fry maybe the male wants her to spawn again. Since she is not ready it is resulting in aggression from the male.

 

[cage623]

Part of the problem could be is that since they do not have fry maybe the male wants her to spawn again. Since she is not ready it is resulting in aggression from the male.

+1

I would give this a little time. Males cichlids in a pair are always wanting more offspring but if they just spawned a little bit ago then she is most likely not biologically ready to do it again. I would watch them to make sure things don't get too crazy and make sure that she is still eating. Once they calm down from the move things should work themselves out.

Good luck and keep us posted.

-Cage

 

[ktluvsfish]

Thanks everyone. Things calmed down within 24 hours. I think they are getting ready to spawn again because they have dug out a huge pit underneath the driftwood. The male is displaying whenever I approach the tank. My female has her color back, is eating well and has no damage (not even a nipped fin). I guess I've had a lot of luck in the past because I have never seen a fish turn on another fish like that after they have been transported.