Dwarf Cichilds Questions

[Clive Baker]

I trying to breed dwarf cichlids:


I have a four foot tank plants either end of it with 33% open space in the middle.

1 pair of Bolivian Ram Adult size 3.5"
Two female Anomalochromis Thomasi 1"


The male Ram keeps going for the female but leave the Thomasi alone did have a male Apistogramma hongsloi with two females.


So my questions to the forum are:
1. Should I get another Apistogramma hongsloi? OR
2. Should I introduce some more Bolivian Rams?


I will purchase a male Thomasi it just that the fish are now fully grown and from pictures etc they where females.


Other member in the tank are:

1x 10.5" Pleco Salfin
13x Red Noses
6x Molly's
6x Zerba's
2x Bristlenose Pleco's 1"

Any advice would be most appreciated. ​

 

[mooman]

I would say that if you do get any of those pairs to spawn the other fish in the tank will not let them live past the wiggler stage. It will still be interesting to watch, but if your serious about breeding then You MUST set up a breeding tank (15-20g long would be perfect). Better yet, set up three and put a pair in each. Breeding dwarfs is hit or miss and with only a crowded community tank and a few pairs you might have a while to wait.

At the very least i suggest getting a 10g and a pair of Apistogramma cacatuoides. If there is a "sure thing" when it comes to dwarfs, that is the species to try.

Good Luck

 

[Jayhawk]

I'd get more Bolivian rams - 3-4 more. They don't form long lasting pair bonds without competition, and even then they switch partners more than most pair breeding fish.

I'm pretty sure those A. thomasi won't pair up without a male... ;-)

Eric

 

[Clive Baker]

Thanks for the advice "Jayhawk" aka Eric you said about getting three or four more rams would two extra pairs or three females & one male?

Plus the same questions applys to "Apistogramma hongsloi" & "Thomasi" should I purchase one or two males because at the moment I just have two females?

I will take a few pictures at some point of both the tank & the fish. vbmenu_register("postmenu_811692", true); vbmenu_register("postmenu_811692", true);

 

[Jayhawk]

I'm not real knowledgable about any apisto and I've never personally kept A. thomasi, so hopefully someone else will chime in for those guys.

Bolivian rams are pair breeders, but the pairs often don't last long and they seem to like more of their own around (I wouldn't say schooling - but they do best with mutliple males and females to choose from). So, I'd aim for two more males and two more females and let them have fun!

Eric

 

[wataugachicken]

are you planning on removing the eggs and rearing them yourself in a separate fry tank, or are you going to leave them in there and let the parents do it? the rams will be able to defend their spawn site against the mollies, etc. but the three plecos in there will go after those eggs the first night, and the rams can't do anything about it. if you want the parents to raise the fry, the plecos have to go.