Pairing green terrors

Something Fishy Here · Oct 1, 2022

Hey guys, my tank is fully cycled and I'm getting the rest of it filled out with dithers and bottom feeders, but soon will be adding the green terrors. I hope to end up with 2 that live harmoniously together, but don't care about raising fry. I've been advised to get 5-8 juvies and see if a pair forms, then remove the rest. How long does this process usually take? the lfs usually stocks them around 2-3 inches i believe and due to cost, this is what I will start with. Hat size or timeframe am I looking at?

tlindsey · Oct 1, 2022

Something Fishy Here said:
Hey guys, my tank is fully cycled and I'm getting the rest of it filled out with dithers and bottom feeders, but soon will be adding the green terrors. I hope to end up with 2 that live harmoniously together, but don't care about raising fry. I've been advised to get 5-8 juvies and see if a pair forms, then remove the rest. How long does this process usually take? the lfs usually stocks them around 2-3 inches i believe and due to cost, this is what I will start with. Hat size or timeframe am I looking at?

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...-or-green-terror-cichlids.728631/post-8218304

duanes · Oct 1, 2022

Because I have spent the last few years working with Andinoacara coerleopunctatus (close (but slightly smaller) cousin to GTs) here is how it worked for me.
I started with a dozen 2" Andinoacara in a 180 gal tank (with a couple tetras as dithers), and a Pleco.

Within the 1st year the alpha male Andinoacara killed all other males, and any non-receptive females.
This left the tank with the male and 3 females.
Over the last couple years, he has spawned with the remaining females, a few times during each breeding season (Dec thru April)
None of the fry have ever survived the predatory tetras, or even the older Andinoacara brothers and sisters.

Above an older brother hunting his younger siblings.

Something Fishy Here · Oct 1, 2022

Thanks, I remember seeing a few times your's got whittled down to 1m 3 f but wasn't sure on the time frame. Would you think spawning season would remain the same if they're in the midlle of the midwest? do you change water temps or anything for seasonal differences? Or do they just know its time?

duanes · Oct 1, 2022

I don't think spawning time has anything to do with anything except instinct, but I also don't know if rivulatus has the same season as coerleopunctatus.
Where GTs live in the rivers of Ecuador is thousands of miles from Panama, and quite different geographically, so snow melt off the Andes may influence spawning in nature.

Something Fishy Here · Oct 26, 2022

Update.. Finally got some green terrors in the tank! My Lfs had 4 little ones 1 to 1 1/2 inch fire $10 each and a half dozen 2 1/2 inches at $29.99 each. So the frugal fishkeeper inside won out. I was hoping to to start with 6 but i have 4. Hopefully a pair will emerge from these...