What is my male dovii doing?!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
There is no tank big enough, within reason, to change their behavior completely unless you introduce them into a community of fish. Some pairs live together well (quite a few in the Parachromis group actually), but some specimens of the very same species will never get along --- especially when isolated. There are several biological and behavioral reasons for this fact, and they explain why so many people struggle. A solid understanding of the gonadal cycles and the behaviors related to those cycles and to territoriality in general is necessary if one is to have realistic expectations.

IMO, the best and simplest source for this information is in Loiselle's book, The Cichlid Aquarium. It should be required reading for all cichlid keepers!
 
Hey Gizmo,

I too originally started out with keeping my Dovii in a 90gal... At the time my male was roughly 15cm and female 9cm before things started to get nasty..

My male kept the female to the top corners of the tank, he never let her eat and pretty much beat the **** out of her for his amusement! She was isolated in a 2ft tank for a few months...

It got frustrating maintaining two tanks, so one day i just Fsck it! Time for an upgrade! And this was the product of such upgrade :D

My advice, seeing as you're going to be walking a similar path in the near future:

1) Spend the little extra and get a 6x2x2 if you can
2) Be patient and get your tank running good before putting yer fish in (water params, decor, plumbing, electrical etc)
3) When its time to put in yer dovii, start with your female first - put her in first and let her get comfortable with the big environment
4) Get a perspect separator to divide the tank and then place your male in


Hopefully, (as I experienced) this allows both fish to get used to the new environment together in their own space, with out ripping each other apart..

I say this from my personal experience. Every fish is different but at the end of the day you really cant have %100 control over what goes on, remember its in their nature and instinct to be aggressive - after all, thats why we enjoy em'


If your male still hounds the girl, maybe you should replace your female with a larger one from a different blood line. Perhaps one that has the same temperament as your male.


Let us all know how this goes :)

Good luck mate and cheers - glad to see another Dovii MFK out there :D
 
That was some very good advice. I think I am going to have to spend the extra buck to make sure there are no casualties and both fish are comfortable. But thank you again and I will keep you all updated on the progress of the dovii.
 
It is often easier to keep the female among the living if she is SMALLER than the male. A smaller fish can escape into properly sized pipes, pots, or caves where a large male cannot reach her.

The popular use of egg crate dividers with holes in them for the female is another good option.
 
ahhh very valid point cchhcc. Thank you for reminding me something I forgot in my previous post,

Gizmo, make sure there are plenty of hiding places/rock caves etc. suitable for both fish.

Obviously make some smaller spaces for the female and obviously larger spaces for the male. Hence introduce the female first (so she can get used to the environment and knows where to hide ;) Followed by the male....
 
gizmo1417;2026706; said:
I will do that for sure. Even though my male knocked down my last divider haha. I will reinforce it next time.
Click to expand...

It might be time to start using bricks!!! hahaha
 
gizmo1417;2026706; said:
I will do that for sure. Even though my male knocked down my last divider haha. I will reinforce it next time.
Click to expand...

Carefully drill small holes in the plastice frame of the tank. Use cable ties to strap the top of the divider to the frame. Then just brace the rest of the divider as you would normally.
 
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