RD/Midas question.

[Red Devil Horde]

I recently set up a 90G for my RD & Midas, lots of large rocks, fake plants & am planning to add wood.
RD is a male, & Midas is a female.
I had previously had their tanks side by side & she laid eggs almost weekly.

Once setup they got along for a few hours, I heard some splashing so I just kept an eye on things.
I noticed some chasing, bumping, bullying.
The smaller female sort of just coward in the corner & would swim up to the top & sort of lay flat. Seems like submissive posture to me.

I didn't want to risk her getting too stressed so I caved in & removed her.
Do you think this pair could work? I can put up a separator.
There was no real harm done other than bumping, lil nipping but no shredding.

The male is about 10" TL & the female is around 6" TL.
I was thinking of just growing her about a bit more & trying again later.

For the most part the male has been a "lone wolf".
He has had tank mates when he was younger, & has live alone for about 6-8 months.

BTW:
I've heard somewhere that once a female lays eggs she's done growing.
Is there any truth to this statement?
It's not something I believe, but something that made me think twice.


Thanks in Advance.

 

[Gruff Master]

A divider might be best for a while. Let the RD and Midas get used to seeing each other in the same tank. Then you could pull the divider after a few days and see what happens. If the male gets rough again either put back the divider or place the female in another tank until she grows a little bigger. I've seen some people breed aggressive fish by adding a divider and placing a flat piece of slate against the divider on the female's side of the tank. When she lays eggs, the male can fertilize them from the other side of the divider. You just have to position the slate where the male can easily fertilize the eggs through the divider. Fish don't really stop growing when they breed. Their growth just slows down because their energy is reserved for reproduction and rearing fry. They may not eat as much during breeding either. That's why sometimes people will separate breeding pairs so that they can just focus on eating and growing.

 

[Regalblue]

A divider might be best for a while. Let the RD and Midas get used to seeing each other in the same tank. Then you could pull the divider after a few days and see what happens. If the male gets rough again either put back the divider or place the female in another tank until she grows a little bigger. I've seen some people breed aggressive fish by adding a divider and placing a flat piece of slate against the divider on the female's side of the tank. When she lays eggs, the male can fertilize them from the other side of the divider. You just have to position the slate where the male can easily fertilize the eggs through the divider. Fish don't really stop growing when they breed. Their growth just slows down because their energy is reserved for reproduction and rearing fry. They may not eat as much during breeding either. That's why sometimes people will separate breeding pairs so that they can just focus on eating and growing.

That's just about all I had to say soooo....

 

[Red Devil Horde]

He wasn't beating on her, but he was pushing & chasing her. Enough to make me worry tho, she ha s a nice Kok for a female, something I'd like the potential fry to get.
I'll give it another try with a divider this time round, & do another large WC & move some decor around.


Thanks guys!!!

 

[Aquanero]

It's hit or miss so I agree a divider is the best bet at this point. He could have her skinned before you know it if he turns on her and wants her out of his tank. They are tough to pair up once the male has clamed the tank as his own.

 

[Red Devil Horde]

This i s what I'm afraid of if I let her grow a bit more.
It only took him 1.5-2 hrs to claim his new home, & they were added @ the same time.
I was worried about her eyes, her stick out a bit.
While his eyes are more inset.
Her attitude is back, she's attacking me through the glass again.

I'm afraid I'll end up with 3 wet pets, & a few "feeder" tanks. LOL

Thanks Aquanero/Tom.

 

[Anubisscott]

These couple of videos are of my last couple of pairs of Midas might help you out. If you provide places where only the female can fit with plenty of room aggression will decline. Males tend to relax when they know the female can easily get awat from them. Make sure any caves or pots you provide have enough space for the female to fit in and chill while the male calms down. Make sure the male is unable to fit and the female can get out of reach if she does have to take cover. I have done this with several different pairs in the past and have yet to "EVER" loose a female, let alone have one brutalized due to aggression in the 11yrs+ of keeping Amphilophus.


Honestly though, I would be looking for a slightly larger tank too. Somewhere along the lines of a 125g.

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To Answer your other questions.....

The smaller female sort of just coward in the corner & would swim up to the top & sort of lay flat. Seems like submissive posture to me.

You are correct Sir. This is how alot of cichlids show submission.

Do you think this pair could work? I can put up a separator.

You could, but in a 90g that doesn't leave alot of room.

I was thinking of just growing her about a bit more & trying again later.

Might be a good idea, but ultimatly he will still brutilize her if you don't have the proper set up.

I've heard somewhere that once a female lays eggs she's done growing.
Is there any truth to this statement?
It's not something I believe, but something that made me think twice.

It stunts/slows their growth, but a fish never really stops growing. It takes alot of energy out of the female to lay eggs, guard and care for eggs/fry. For awhile females and sometimes males don't eat as they are 100% invested in the care of their fry.





Good luck and welcome to the Amphilophus Addiction

 

[Red Devil Horde]

Nice!!! Great vid too.

I'll have a 6'r soon enough.
I just finished building my 6' stand, I'm just attaching the trim pieces & filling in holes/seams.
If I'll successful @ spawning these guys I'd like to try a specie tank.
Who knows maybe a 7'r/8'r may be in the works too.


Thanks for the suggestion/tips guys!
MFK rocks!!!


BTW: What did you use to trim/cut the terra cotta pots?
I was thinking on using my dremel with a cut off wheel.

Thanks again guys!

 

[guapoteman]

Take male out rearrange tank with hiding places put female in let her get established for some time then put male back in make the aggressor the newcomer

 

[Red Devil Horde]

I tried this with him in my other tanks.
I wanted to see if he(@ 3"-4") would get along with my cat & a few smaller GTs(2.5"3") in a 33G when he was younger/smaller.
Lets just say a 55G was "his" grow out tank until now.
He didn't like my biggest GT(12" TL/55G) since he was 2X bigger than him.
The GT only chased him though, did my bully make my RD a monster?

I'll give it another try since the tank is a bit longer this time.

Thanks for the suggestion.