So i ordered a F1 female Midas from Rapps she is coming tomorrow what should i do to prepare her to go in with my big male i have the tank divider in place any other things need to do? how long should i leave her in there with the divider before i introduce them face to face.
Preparing for Female Midas
- Thread starter troublesum
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I would leave them divided for a week or so and let them get used to each other, then do a big water change, lift the divider, and change the rocks around so the male doesn't know he is in his territory. Keep an eye on them the first couple days and if he starts really beating her, put the divider back and try again. Trial and error, hopefully he accepts her.
I normally do like 4 WC a week should i hold off on doing WC until i'm ready to introduce them?
Also my tank is pretty bare i only have a large piece of driftwood and a flower pot should i had a few more flower pots?
Also my tank is pretty bare i only have a large piece of driftwood and a flower pot should i had a few more flower pots?
I would add sight breaks like flower pots, floating silk plants, etc. at least until you know how the male will behave with the female.
I wouldn't hold off on water changes that shouldn't matter
I wouldn't hold off on water changes that shouldn't matter
Some cichlid breeders who keep pairs, and don't want females killed, keep the divider in the tank permanently. Or if the female is smaller than the male, cut an opening in the divider only she can fit through.
Not the most aesthetically pleasing tank, but often necessary. (what size tank is she going into?)
You may be lucky and find your pair are copasetic after only a few days, but it is always best to keep vigilant. Things can turn overnight, and that female could easily "wake up dead".
I have had copasetic pairs spawn safely 3 or more times, and on a dime the attitude of the male changed, the tide turned , and one or the other wais dead.
Not a pleasant sight just after the wait, and time and money spent on the fish, and shipping.
Your male owns its tank, and any addition may be thought of as an intruder, unless she is immediately hot to trot.
also, make sure your divider is securely weighted down, a rutting male can easily tear a flimsy one down not secure enough.
I use heavy rocks on the horizonal pieces.
Not the most aesthetically pleasing tank, but often necessary. (what size tank is she going into?)
You may be lucky and find your pair are copasetic after only a few days, but it is always best to keep vigilant. Things can turn overnight, and that female could easily "wake up dead".
I have had copasetic pairs spawn safely 3 or more times, and on a dime the attitude of the male changed, the tide turned , and one or the other wais dead.
Not a pleasant sight just after the wait, and time and money spent on the fish, and shipping.
Your male owns its tank, and any addition may be thought of as an intruder, unless she is immediately hot to trot.
also, make sure your divider is securely weighted down, a rutting male can easily tear a flimsy one down not secure enough.
I use heavy rocks on the horizonal pieces.
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Yeah my male is 9-10in the tank is a 125 6ft long and hes been by himself in there for over a year, i will cut holes for the female to escape and your right i dont want the divider in there for ever so i hope they bond Jeff told me the female is 4-5in.
She's going to need hiding places. If it was me I would make some hiding places in her half of the tank. That way she will get to know where to go and hide before the male is introduced. The more the better. She needs to know her half inside out. The hiding places need to be small, so she's safe.
LOL funny Andy i was just watching your videos on your black nasties and showing my wife the size difference. I plan on making cutouts this weekend in the divider its hard for me to make hiding spots for her as i don't like a lot of rocks in my tanks i will see how he acts this weekend with her when i remove the divider and then just play it by ear