Trying to pair parachromis 'la ceiba'

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Thanks for that duanes. I'll definitely try her with both males if there's no progress with this smaller one. would be a shame to let him go if it's not successful.

Since I'd really like to try any possible chance to get this preferred male to pair first do you think it'd be worth trying the 50% cool water daily changes to try and trigger something?
 
A couple daily 50% water changes is an easy trial, with nothing to lose but a little time.
I also agree about a divider with space for the female to escape thru, but only if the size differential is large enough.
I usually use egg crate with many species, so in that way subtle mating cues such as scent, pheromones, wave action from body posturing, and even sounds (cichlid speak) are passed thru.
 
Yep, I used similar to egg crate but bigger holes, female could fit underneath but not the male. They seemed to get on fine through the divider and once the divider was removed they'd be okay but after an hour or so of monitoring the male would get more and more impatient with her. Perhaps a cue really is all she needs..

I'll try the cold changes this week thanks matey. Any recommendation to naturally lowering pH and hardness besides rainwater? we have fairly hard water in my area (8.2 pH) and fairly hard, can't remember off the top of my head. Tank has reasonable amount of bogwood & slate bottom but doesn't seem to deviate far from tap water parameters.
 
You can probably buy a few gallons of DI water at the grocery store, and mix that with your tap water as you are refilling, DI usually a pH around 7 so a few gallons should drop your tap enough from the normal 8.2.
Also when I say cool water changes, I'm not suggesting anything bringing the tank down any lower lower than 5-8 degrees lower than the normal temp, for e.g, if your tank is at 80'F, a change of say that brings it down to 72, to 74 should be sufficient.
 
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Yep, try to go no further than 5 degrees lower through water change. Tonight's second w/c in a row now and the male seems to have calmed down a hell of a lot towards her. A lot more just looking at her in her hide, and even got in there with her earlier. Hopefully making a bit of headway simply from nightly changes! I'll keep this up a few more days and see what happens. Failing that DI water seems the way to go, I'll keep ya posted about it. thanks for that
 
Had no luck at all with the smaller better looking male so swapped them around to see what happens. Three days in I think we might be seeing results! This just after a water change! excuse the naff video

 
I would play it safe with the divider, if they are not paring up naturally.
 
Yep, they still didnt comfortably pair off even after all this swimming together so divider it is...
 
Please keep me up to date on this as my Midas are doing the same i put up divider she stays on the males side no issues i take out the divider he goes crazy.

Is it a problem that my male is 10in+ and my female is only 4
 
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