Red terror breeding vs growth

[Beetlebug515]

So a couple days ago a pair of my festae had dropped breeding tunes. I'm assuming they laid in the night and ate the eggs. The problem is, the male and female are probably 4" max. I've read that certain cichlid species stop growing, or slow down drastically, when they start spawning. Is this true? I'm worried because they appear to be a fairly slow growing species as it is. Thanks in advance.

 

[Frank Castle]

So a couple days ago a pair of my festae had dropped breeding tunes. I'm assuming they laid in the night and ate the eggs. The problem is, the male and female are probably 4" max. I've read that certain cichlid species stop growing, or slow down drastically, when they start spawning. Is this true? I'm worried because they appear to be a fairly slow growing species as it is. Thanks in advance.

When I have a pair I know is a pair for a fact, I like to let them get comfortable with each other and bond, then separate them once I see them in pre-spawn behavior - that way the female can reach a respectable size before breeding thus producing more eggs and lessening the strain of "child-bearing" on her body

Some will say otherwise, but not everyone understands how strenuous pregnancy and gravidity can be on a females' body.......actually, in the last discussion I had there were no female members to voice opinions on the matter at all. To me, that's like trying to explain to a woman how much it hurts to get kicked in the nuts

 

[Beetlebug515]

I've noticed the same effects on breeding females, not the growth part, but my female wild angel never looked too hot after a spawn. I would separate the pair for about a month every other spawn. Man I REALLY don't want to have to set up another tank for this female. Especially because the male has at least 3 other females he could con in to laying.

 

[Frank Castle]

I've noticed the same effects on breeding females, not the growth part, but my female wild angel never looked too hot after a spawn. I would separate the pair for about a month every other spawn. Man I REALLY don't want to have to set up another tank for this female. Especially because the male has at least 3 other females he could con in to laying.

then just set up another tank for the male ....leave all the females together

 

[Beetlebug515]

then just set up another tank for the male ....leave all the females together

That would bring the total count to 5. It is the logical solution though. He certainly can't go in the other three. 1 is a red cherry shrimp breeding tank, one is a 33 gallon high tech planted tank with small fish, and the last is my uaru tank. The water conditions would kill him if the pandas didnt. The only extra tank I have is a 29 gallon.

 

[Frank Castle]

That would bring the total count to 5. It is the logical solution though. He certainly can't go in the other three. 1 is a red cherry shrimp breeding tank, one is a 33 gallon high tech planted tank with small fish, and the last is my uaru tank. The water conditions would kill him if the pandas didnt. The only extra tank I have is a 29 gallon.

Well then, I guess it's time to welcome him to his new temporary 29g He'll be ok for up to a year, unless he somehow hits a crazy growth-spurt which I doubt will happen......I trust you will know when it's time to move him out of the 29g

 

[Beetlebug515]

Yeah. I'll have to converse with da wife about it as she is managing all of the tanks while I'm away right. So growth slowing is a definite thing when breeding?

 

[Frank Castle]

Yeah. I'll have to converse with da wife about it as she is managing all of the tanks while I'm away right. So growth slowing is a definite thing when breeding?

yes

 

[Frank Castle]

Yeah. I'll have to converse with da wife about it as she is managing all of the tanks while I'm away right. So growth slowing is a definite thing when breeding?

sorry, I was fighting through lag trying to deal with an annoying opponent.....

yes, growth is stunted not only by the fact that spawning/breeding takes it's toll on the female's body and uses up a large amount of her nutrients, but also on top of that it makes it even worse in the fact that they will not eat while guarding eggs and fry for quite some time. So add that together and you end up with very nutrient deprived parents - ever wonder why a pregnant woman eats so much? That baby is draining everything she's got out of her.....this is why I recommend waiting until ANY living creature is a decent size before breeding, at least the female.

You can breed a 4" male to a 10" female if she accepts him ( and I have done it) - he'll be ok, but SHE is the one you need to worry about when it comes to having enough body fat, strength, "Umph", and when you look at her before breeding, you need to ask yourself "Will she be ok IF she does not eat for 3-6 months (or however long you decide to leave the fry w/ the parents)???"

 

[duanes]

I agree that spawning can take a lot of energy from a females growth potential.
This pair is the same age, but had spawned a number of times.

and the size difference can eventually become hazardous for the female, especially without a divider to escape thru.