Rainbow Cichlids

[Etan]

Well it appears 2 of my rainbows have paired up. They are always hanging out behind the rocks and are very brightly colored. The 3rd wheel rainbow is a bit smaller and is always very dark. I've seen one of the pair chase it off before. Also I watched the rainbow pair kill one of the columbian tetras. So much for super peaceful lol.

Now my optiond are return the third wheel rainbow and introduce some other fish, possibly bolivian rams, or add more rainbows. Not really sure what to do.

I think I decided on adding an angel eventually. Yet another species I don't know much about and have never kept.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I would not recommend adding a ram or an angel.
Rainbow cichlids are very peaceful by central American cichlid standards. However, they are still central American cichlids.
As said before, the only fish i would add are more rainbows or non cichlid tank mates.

 

[Toiletcar]

I would not recommend adding a ram or an angel.
Rainbow cichlids are very peaceful by central American cichlid standards. However, they are still central American cichlids.
As said before, the only fish i would add are more rainbows or non cichlid tank mates.

I agree with this. My rainbow is one of the more dominant fish in my 150g. Even over the h. Deppii.

 

[Etan]

Thanks guys. I'll just do more rainbows. The more I read they really seem like a species only cichlid. Either they are too passive or too aggressive lol. What an intetesting fish.

 

[ahud]

Thanks guys. I'll just do more rainbows. The more I read they really seem like a species only cichlid. Either they are too passive or too aggressive lol. What an intetesting fish.

There is a fascinating paper on the habitat and breeding habits of rainbow cichlids. The article is written by Jeff Baylis if I am not mistaken. At that time, Herotilapia multispinosa was the scientific name.

The takeaway from the article is multispinosa inhabits rivers and streams, but generally spawn in small ponds formed by flooding. The rainbows are out competed by A. centrarchus in the river habitats. Rainbows have some unique physiological traits that allow them to breed and raise fry in areas inhospitable for other species of cichlid/fish. Finally, they can raise a brood of fry under crowded conditions because their aggression towards their own kind is ritualized versus outright. All of these traits make for great aquarium fish if you provide them what they need. But, it also makes for a fish that does best in its own tank with its own kind.

If you want an interesting tank. Add more rainbows! I have kept a lot of fish. Rainbows (A. multispinosa) will always be one of my favorites. I love watching breeding pairs squabble with each other.

Rams use the same type of territory and breeding method as multispinosa. The only difference is rams are smaller. A poor choice of a tank mate in my opinion. The rams will have a hard time holding their own versus the larger multispinosa.

 

[ahud]

Forgot to add:

I think the Columbian tetras will keep any fry in check. I actually prefer that, as aggression increases significantly once fry go free swimming. I'm adding tetras to my setup soon for that very reason.

You should get to watch the fry for a week or maybe even two. After the fry start ignoring the parents, they will get picked off as they venture off.

 

[Etan]

Very helpful, thank you.

I actually watched my rainbow pair kill a columbian tetra, now down to 4 columbians and interestingly enough there is now a dominant columbian and they no longer school.

Here in a week or two ill go pick up 3 or 4 more rainbows and i may up my columbian school to 10.

 

[ahud]

How did they kill the tetra? I don't think I have seen that. Mine are in with endlers and they do not even bother the endler fry.

 

[Etan]

The rainbow pair has established itself behind a rock pile. The tetra swam in and got chased out. It came back again and one of the rainbows swam behind it and grabbed it by the tail fin. The tetra was stuck and the rainbow swam it to the surface. The other 1/2 of the pair came up and started biting the tetras stomach and ripped its pectoral fins off. The rainbow let go of the tail and tore the tetras tail fin up pretty bad. At that point the poor tetra was getting tossed by the current and couldn't right itself. It eventually ended up in the plants and one of the rainbows kept biting it until it was dead.

This took place in like 40 seconds.

 

[duanes]

I would imagine if a pair of the rainbows has set up shop in a rock pile, spawning will soon follow.
Tetras are one of the main enemies of the spawn (eggs/fry) of cichlids, so I'm not surprised one of the rainbows took it out, it would seem to me to be instinctive to rid the area of any danger to an upcoming spawn.