Peruvian biotope

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I will put a video up as soon as they come out enough for me to take one. The four are by themselves in a 55 quarantine tank that I will grow them in for a month or two and then I will introduce them to my comm. tank that has assorted vieja species in it. I think that they will come around in a more crowded tank but they are too small to go in there now as the other fish in that tank are +5"


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Sorry yes they are all around 2.5-3"


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[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Thanks, I'm real glad too. Because i'm around 95% sure there will be at least one pair. As I said, some have already dropped ovipositors and are clearing spawning sites! However, at a little over 2.5" TL I think they're a little small. Either way, having 5 smaller ones has reduced aggression massively

Well I have asked my lfs to grow the BHTs out a little, which he said he can do. Because they are tiny! He said the price will go up, but I think its worth it if there is less casualties.

The fish do look harmless and the SDs look awkward. You know how you said yours spook and swim into things, well mine have begun to swim into eachother and the GTs. They will just swim around bashing of everyone! Which Andy does NOT like

Thankyou for the compliments - now it's your turn to post a video

Wow man, that's odd, SDs swimming into each other? Hahaha! Aggressive pack of pigs eh?! You should capture this on video as well

I actually just came across a small dilemma, which probably concerns you too. I have read before that once the female GT starts breeding, she won't grow much, if any, and there is some truth to this. The fish doesn't necessarily stop growing but it grows at a much slower rate because most of her energy and nutrition goes to breeding rather than growing. No big deal so far but I just started thinking that this affects the male as well. I don't think that breeding doesn't stress the males as much since the female does all the work but I noticed that his appetite has gone down lately. Right now I'm considering separating the couple after the fry(yes, they have another batch[about a week old now]) is out of their care.

Anyway, it's something to think about. What are your thoughts?

P.S. I'll try to put up a video this weekend

 

[GrantA94]

Nice set up!!! I used to have some stalsbergi, they were really nice. Much more aggresive that the saums. Very cool

Thanks! I would reccomend stalsbergi over saums anyday, granted more aggressive, but they are now my preffered species. Their colours change every day.

I prefer them over red terrors too

I will put a video up as soon as they come out enough for me to take one. The four are by themselves in a 55 quarantine tank that I will grow them in for a month or two and then I will introduce them to my comm. tank that has assorted vieja species in it. I think that they will come around in a more crowded tank but they are too small to go in there now as the other fish in that tank are +5"


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Sorry yes they are all around 2.5-3"


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Sounds good! Mine were really shy for the first month, just takes time, have you noticed any males or females? Or are they not even out enough for that!?

I believe colouration, growth and fin size is the best method of sexing. The males are lighter and more uniform in colour, whereas females are darker and display their bars more. Longer dorsal and anal fins suggest male too IME, nothing of this is confirmed, just what I have concluded. Finally males grow much faster.

Have you experienced any of this? Anyone else care to correct or agree with me?

Looking forward to the video

Wow man, that's odd, SDs swimming into each other? Hahaha! Aggressive pack of pigs eh?! You should capture this on video as well

I actually just came across a small dilemma, which probably concerns you too. I have read before that once the female GT starts breeding, she won't grow much, if any, and there is some truth to this. The fish doesn't necessarily stop growing but it grows at a much slower rate because most of her energy and nutrition goes to breeding rather than growing. No big deal so far but I just started thinking that this affects the male as well. I don't think that breeding doesn't stress the males as much since the female does all the work but I noticed that his appetite has gone down lately. Right now I'm considering separating the couple after the fry(yes, they have another batch[about a week old now]) is out of their care.

Anyway, it's something to think about. What are your thoughts?

P.S. I'll try to put up a video this weekend

I will try get it on video! They just seem half blind and don't know where they're going!

Regarding loss of appetite. I was reading an article I can't remember the name, but in the wild cichlids will go for months without eating, because of possible predators. So maybe Hammer thinks if he eats the SDs will prey on his children? It also mentioned that they will only eat what they need so there isn't a weight disadvantage as such. Keeping them ready for battle if you get me? I would leave it a little longer were I you, the last thing you want to do is break the bond of the pair by splitting them. A clear divider may be best to stop them breeding but keep the together but idk. This is sometimes why people recommend keeping two females.

When they finish breeding you could lower temps to discourage breeding? Just a thought.

Either way, I'm excited for the video

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

I will try get it on video! They just seem half blind and don't know where they're going!

Regarding loss of appetite. I was reading an article I can't remember the name, but in the wild cichlids will go for months without eating, because of possible predators. So maybe Hammer thinks if he eats the SDs will prey on his children? It also mentioned that they will only eat what they need so there isn't a weight disadvantage as such. Keeping them ready for battle if you get me? I would leave it a little longer were I you, the last thing you want to do is break the bond of the pair by splitting them. A clear divider may be best to stop them breeding but keep the together but idk. This is sometimes why people recommend keeping two females.

When they finish breeding you could lower temps to discourage breeding? Just a thought.

Either way, I'm excited for the video

Sounds good, I appreciate the advice! Not getting them to breed will be tricky though and I just hope that there's a method of doing so while keeping them happy.

Happy fish + preferred environment = breeding, IMO. I'll try keeping the temperature around 68F after this batch of fry and avoid larger water changes(2 small wc instead of one big wc per week).

I'm not sure I follow you about having two females. They do harems right? That would just mean double the work for the male. My main priority is Hammer and him reaching his full size, while having a pair and them breeding is a welcomed bonus.

 

[GrantA94]

Sounds good, I appreciate the advice! Not getting them to breed will be tricky though and I just hope that there's a method of doing so while keeping them happy.

Happy fish + preferred environment = breeding, IMO. I'll try keeping the temperature around 68F after this batch of fry and avoid larger water changes(2 small wc instead of one big wc per week).

I'm not sure I follow you about having two females. They do harems right? That would just mean double the work for the male. My main priority is Hammer and him reaching his full size, while having a pair and them breeding is a welcomed bonus.

I know what you mean. Getting my saums to stop was impossible, even in a community setup!

That may help too - the smaller w/c's. It may not stop them, but it may slow them a little.

They do harems yes. The main reason is exactly that to make it less work for each female and more work for the male - it balances out their growth. Meaning the male doesn't outgrow the female and kill her. However, if your main priority is to grow Hammer then maybe removing Jack would be the best option. Allowing them both to grow and then re-introducing them.

I personally would remove Jack and not Hammer. One because Hammer will better compete against the SDs for food vs Jack. Two because having the SDs will give him some dominance. Three because jack will be better suited to a more tranquil tank due to her less aggressive temprements. Just some thoughts!

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Thanks man, you're a big help It seems like I'm ruining their fun by breaking them up but I just want them to mature/grow more then reunite, hahaha. "It's for their own good," I tell myself.

So what are you planning for your community then? Will you be aiming for 1:2 male:female ratio?

 

[GrantA94]

Thanks man, you're a big help It seems like I'm ruining their fun by breaking them up but I just want them to mature/grow more then reunite, hahaha. "It's for their own good," I tell myself.

So what are you planning for your community then? Will you be aiming for 1:2 male:female ratio?

Hey, always happy to help

It is for their own good. I hate seperating pairs - especially because I know they are generally monogamous.

Judging from Andy's behaviour at the minute I'm looking at a 1 : 3/4/5 male to female ratio. He is flirting with all of the smaller ones, bar from possibly one. I will try capture this on video.

Ideally I would like a peaceful 1:2, as the last thing I want is to get rid of all the others and then have the female killed. So fingers crossed

 

[GrantA94]

A quick few shots.

 

[00rollins]

Great looking tank

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