Some questions about Midas Cichlid ?

[Moh]

Hi,

I've currently a male Midas (about 8 inch) in my 200 gallons.
My fish is alone in this tank so i want to find him a female.
I know someone who can sell me some big one (about 9 inch) but i dont know if i had better buy one female or many females for him.

What is the best solution ??

Moh

 

[greenterra]

One should be fine. Even if you have to use a divider to get them acquainted and used to each other.

 

[Loshmitchell101]

just one at a time, If you buy more than one hell pick his favorite and become aggressive towards the others.

 

[Moh]

Is the divider obligatory ??

 

[Crazy mike]

Is the divider obligatory ??

Initially I would use it just so one doesn't slaughter the other

Sent from my VS840 4G

 

[duanes]

Though not obligatory, a divider is a safety factor, so you don't end up with a dead fish, or 2 torn up fish.
Just because you get a female, does not mean they will automatically be suited for each other. Cichlids are highly evolved as far as mate selection and compatibility goes for fish, and the selection of a mate can have many facets. In nature a pair of Amphilophus must be able to defend their plot of territory against many others of their kind, and this instinct does not disappear just because they are in captivity. It may take a little time, strength comparisons, and glaring at each other thru the divider before an agreement is reached, sometimes quick, sometimes never. A pair needs to be able to turn the aggression they put on each other outward, this is why other individuals are sometimes used, to strengthen the pair bond.

 

[Moh]

Thanks for your advice.
I've another question : Are females Midas aggressive among themselves ?

 

[justarn]

females are more aggressive than males ime, ive had some serious problem female midevils. females are nastier in most animal species to be fair lol!-)

 

[Loshmitchell101]

An additional problem to consider is the fact that he has been alone for some time now. That could honestly make him more defensive. Now when you drop a female into his tank since he has already been alone he could potentially try to pair immediately and being the female is new and probably shipped or transferred either way she is in new surroundings and might now be ready to immediately and could be chased aggressively at the very beginning. With my Midas he either tries constantly with success or tries constantly and doesn't give up and kills her with stress and bullying. Introducing a female can be a trick situation with large adults.

 

[justarn]

/\so your male is a rapist or murderer possibly both lol...