to dither or to target

[peathenster]

I suspect many of you might have similar problems with a pair of adult CAs in a species tank ....in my case it's a pair of bocourti in a 120 (4x2x2) - http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266330

They were divided at Ken's. When I put them together a week ago, they were active and doing well. But both are becoming more withdrawn. The female stays in a corner except to eat. The males moves around but not too much. I have some juvie JDs and a female con in there as dithers, but they hide all the time and are therefore completely useless.

The problem is that the female wants to mate but the mate is only interested in chasing her around. She is in full breeding color but he's not.

Trying to decide between the following two options...

1. Get larger and more active dithers like SDs (suggestions for others?).
2. Get a single mid-sized, semi-aggressive CA target, to hopefully keep the male busy and make the pair bond better. Maybe a Vieja or a Herichthys of some sort...or a third bocourti?

Thoughts?

 

[dogofwar]

I'd go with some dithers - a couple or 3 tinfoil barbs maybe.

 

[peathenster]

I'd go with some dithers - a couple or 3 tinfoil barbs maybe.

I guess that's a safer option...

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I'd rather go with something more expendable that they may or may not catch at some point

 

[siebertn]

Silver Dollars should work good as they are very fast and you have plenty of space for them to swim around when chased

 

[jbru70]

A school of black skirt tetras make great dithers. They are fast and durable. They are always on the move and add alot of life to the tank. And they're cheap

 

[peathenster]

I'd rather go with something more expendable that they may or may not catch at some point

Silver Dollars should work good as they are very fast and you have plenty of space for them to swim around when chased

A school of black skirt tetras make great dithers. They are fast and durable. They are always on the move and add alot of life to the tank. And they're cheap

Thanks for the response.....

My main concern is the "relationship" between the two...the female is not shy or timid, but is forced to stay in the corner by the male. I'm not sure how helpful dithers would be

 

[gt1009]

I would go the dither route. Choose a large schooler that you like and get a good amount of them.

 

[marauders30]

I used severums in my tank. it calmed everything down in terms of aggression but im not sure if u want to put that load into ur tank. also, mine were not for the purpose of pairing. just to help with the aggression. it worked for me but i dont know if its a great option because u would have to spend a little more money and would be pissed if it doesnt help haha.

 

[its_an_obsession]

im a fan of sd's as well. i had some tinfoil barbs for awhile, but i noticed that it was impossible to get food to all of my other fish. tinfoil barbs just seem to have an endless stomach and will eat anything.