Why is it with Loricariidae we keep them in colonies of 5-10 individuals with only 2 breeding individuals while with other fish like Cichlids and Anabantoids we keep in pairs away from the colony. Wouldn't it be wiser to separate the breeding pair from the rest to give the other individuals a chance of breeding?
Seperating pairs
- Thread starter Raul-7
- Start date
Cichlids are kept in groups aswell only American cichlids are separated as once they pair they defend there territory so they can breed wich leads to all other sub dom fish to be killed
But Africans are kept in trios & groups as if only one female she will get hassled which will stress her and she will die
Plus too many males in a group the males tend to fight more than worry about breeding
P.s you can keep a pair of L's and breed !
But Africans are kept in trios & groups as if only one female she will get hassled which will stress her and she will die
Plus too many males in a group the males tend to fight more than worry about breeding
P.s you can keep a pair of L's and breed !
I meant it in terms of productivity; you have a colony of 7-13 and only 2-3 fish breeding. Seems like a waste; the rest are waiting for their turn to breed which they will never get since the alpha male will always rule the aquarium. In the wild they'll move around until they get a chance to breed; but in an aquarium they'll die without ever passing their genes.
I'd think to separate the breeding male and female would be best; unless somehow the disrupts their breeding? I've only ever seen people keep BN's in pairs or trios.
I'd think to separate the breeding male and female would be best; unless somehow the disrupts their breeding? I've only ever seen people keep BN's in pairs or trios.
If I had enough tanks I'd have maximum of 1 trio per tank but I don't have any choice at the moment & also would have trouble identifying what female has laid the eggs
heard of "safety in numbers" i think colonies produce more fry and at an earlier age.... with b/n this gets outa control as they breed so often and have large numbers... but with majority of plecs success is achieved easier with colony...
and yes pairs can also breed... most plecs have longer period between when they laid and when they are ready to lay again... hence one male can sometimes service 2-3 females and keep himself in good shape....
and yes pairs can also breed... most plecs have longer period between when they laid and when they are ready to lay again... hence one male can sometimes service 2-3 females and keep himself in good shape....
But if you have a female dominant colony; one male cannot service all those females - it would be better to split the colony in 2 or 3. Assume you have 10; 4 males and 6 females. One dominant male breeding with 2 females on a reg basis. Now you have 4 females and 3 males not doing anything.
I'd understand your point if you have a small indoor pond with 20-30 plecos and multiple territories where you have 3-5 active breeding males, but in your typical setup [36x18 or 48x18] - there's simply not enough room for the other males to breed [I know it happens though, where sometimes there's enough room for 2 breeding males].
I'd understand your point if you have a small indoor pond with 20-30 plecos and multiple territories where you have 3-5 active breeding males, but in your typical setup [36x18 or 48x18] - there's simply not enough room for the other males to breed [I know it happens though, where sometimes there's enough room for 2 breeding males].
i had one male 66 and 4 females.... he would spawn every 2 weeks - biggest female - medium female - then both smaller females would double spawn... then it started all over again.... every 6 weeks for over 1 1/2 years non stop...
with 046's had several males all on eggs at same time - blows your one dominant male theory out of the water.... also happens with my 333's.... and 397's...
if dominant male is on eggs the female either adds her eggs or chooses another male...
sometimes male heavy colonies produce good fry numbers as females have big choice of males.... this works if all the males grew up together... if your putting adult males together from different blood lines they can fight to the death or you may be lucky and the agro will settle...
with 046's had several males all on eggs at same time - blows your one dominant male theory out of the water.... also happens with my 333's.... and 397's...
if dominant male is on eggs the female either adds her eggs or chooses another male...
sometimes male heavy colonies produce good fry numbers as females have big choice of males.... this works if all the males grew up together... if your putting adult males together from different blood lines they can fight to the death or you may be lucky and the agro will settle...
9 in one colony 5m4f or 4m5f - not too sure as i havent taken them out for a good inspection......
8 in another colony - unsure of sex ratio but a few are still small.....
one thing that helps is all the males grew up together...
8 in another colony - unsure of sex ratio but a few are still small.....
one thing that helps is all the males grew up together...