Apisto Borelli behavior...

[FireDancer7905]

Hi all!

I just bought a pair of A. Borelli. They live in a 20g long with raboras and cories for company. Everyone gets along well. My question is about mating/pairing behavior. The female took up residence in a flower pot, and the male seems intent on her staying there. Any time she ventures out more than a few inches he races over and ushers her back in. She is too small for breeding yet, but I am cocnerned that he is bullying her. Is this behaviour normal?

Thanks! ~brandy

 

[dialicious]

If she's the sole focus of his attentions (and she's not ready yet) it could be a cause for worry.
Is she getting a chance to eat?

 

[FireDancer7905]

She does eat quite a bit. She is looking healthy (much better than the other female that he killed) I just don't want to lose her...

 

[TwoFishGuyz]

Hello,

I would try to add another female or two to balance the males aggression. This way he cannot just focus on one lady. If she is bright yellow she may be ready to breed. A lot of tank strain Apistogramma will spawn at a younger age so this may be the case. But in my experience multiple females will do the trick.

 

[FireDancer7905]

That ws kind of my thought too, TwoFishGuyz. As soon as I get my next paycheck I'll run down and pick up two more. Thanks!