Finally figured out the gender ratio of my dwarf cichlids, now there's a new problem
- Thread starter Snagrio
- Start date
No, it's fun!...the first few times. I hope you live in a big market area...you might need it or to learn how to ship fish... 
No, it's fun!...the first few times. I hope you live in a big market area...you might need it or to learn how to ship fish...
Or get another 125 gallon tank for a jag or other piscivore to eat the ones you can't get rid of. ? That was always my solution for my problems, just get another tank...
WYite
Not really an option for me unfortunately. Live with my folks and my mother in particular is adamant on only one aquarium running (the 125 was an upgrade from a 55 that I'm still trying to sell off). Took some negotiating just to have a 10 gallon set up for quarantine purposes.
But even without that obstacle I wouldn't be in such a position for more tanks anytime soon regardless. After this project is completed I'm going to work towards getting my ball python his permanent home. He's a little over a half a year old and lives in a retrofitted 30 gallon, would like to move him into a proper 4 foot PVC enclosure within this year.
Well some good but mostly bad news...
Good news is I found another female trifasciata at the store today plus 5 more "visually popping" corydoras species (atropersonatus) as the delphax crew, while doing great, are practically invisible with the dark substrate and tannin water.
...Now for the slew of bad news. Once again I've failed to procure any black neon tetras. Went to two regular stores and there wasn't a single one to be seen, and the ones at the LFS were few in number and one of the rams bunking with them was covered in ich to boot. At this point, the weather's warming up and I'm fed up with this wild goose chase so I'm just going to order a wholesale batch of 20+ later and see how that goes.
There was a sizable group of marble hatchets which got me excited, but they were in really sorry shape; over half of them having a fungal-looking growth all over their mouths.
They finally had farlowellas, but there was a catch. They were royal farlowellas, which evidently are significantly more expensive than "regular" farlos (which go for 12-15 bucks, the royals are going for 60, yeah that ain't happening).
Finally the most pressing issue, looking at the female I just bought is making me think ALL 3 of the apistos I already have are males.
This one is obvious. The most colored and after only a day he roams the main sectors of the tank like he owns the place.
These two however, they're looking way too blue to be female, and I've noticed they keep cowering in the back compared to the clearly dominant one (this was the best pic I could get of them to give an idea). I've also noticed them chasing each other around a bit.
Here's a newer pic of the female in the QT to show how much yellower she is.
So, now what? I'm already planning to go back on Thursday as that's what I was told the best time to come in for fresh shipments is (they come in on Monday and are set out for sale on Thursday) so should I just take back the two other males?
Good news is I found another female trifasciata at the store today plus 5 more "visually popping" corydoras species (atropersonatus) as the delphax crew, while doing great, are practically invisible with the dark substrate and tannin water.
...Now for the slew of bad news. Once again I've failed to procure any black neon tetras. Went to two regular stores and there wasn't a single one to be seen, and the ones at the LFS were few in number and one of the rams bunking with them was covered in ich to boot. At this point, the weather's warming up and I'm fed up with this wild goose chase so I'm just going to order a wholesale batch of 20+ later and see how that goes.
There was a sizable group of marble hatchets which got me excited, but they were in really sorry shape; over half of them having a fungal-looking growth all over their mouths.
They finally had farlowellas, but there was a catch. They were royal farlowellas, which evidently are significantly more expensive than "regular" farlos (which go for 12-15 bucks, the royals are going for 60, yeah that ain't happening).
Finally the most pressing issue, looking at the female I just bought is making me think ALL 3 of the apistos I already have are males.
This one is obvious. The most colored and after only a day he roams the main sectors of the tank like he owns the place.
These two however, they're looking way too blue to be female, and I've noticed they keep cowering in the back compared to the clearly dominant one (this was the best pic I could get of them to give an idea). I've also noticed them chasing each other around a bit.
Here's a newer pic of the female in the QT to show how much yellower she is.
So, now what? I'm already planning to go back on Thursday as that's what I was told the best time to come in for fresh shipments is (they come in on Monday and are set out for sale on Thursday) so should I just take back the two other males?
That's the problem with juveniles, they often look female until they grow a bit. Males can also look like females to keep from getting beaten up by a more dominant, often larger, male. But if you're seeing blue spangles on the bodies...darn. Your new female & corys look nice! Your new female looks fairly big. How does her size compare to the "alpha" male? Females ready to breed can kill unready males. Of course females are smaller than males as adults but mature earlier...So I'm torn about taking both extra males back...& maybe the male BN too. Does this lfs get trifasciatas often? Maybe a local breeder? Go for 2 pairs? Maybe not, it's hard to say...
The BN breeding thing will get old fast...I was given 6 "lemon L-144" fry, lost 1 & when they got big & rehomed 2 pairs & kept a female. A club guy was giving them away because he could no longer sell them...As you've seen, males hide, females don't. I think both WYite & I were trying to warn you in a gentle way...have a plan to stop the breeding madness if you choose to try it, they can breed every month & batches get larger. Of course in a community tank less fry might survive but think very hard...
The BN breeding thing will get old fast...I was given 6 "lemon L-144" fry, lost 1 & when they got big & rehomed 2 pairs & kept a female. A club guy was giving them away because he could no longer sell them...As you've seen, males hide, females don't. I think both WYite & I were trying to warn you in a gentle way...have a plan to stop the breeding madness if you choose to try it, they can breed every month & batches get larger. Of course in a community tank less fry might survive but think very hard...
The female and dominant male look about the same size? The QT is in a completely separate area of the house from the main system so it's difficult to tell. And earlier tonight I saw the other two males get too close to the main male and his response was immediate and aggressive, flaring his fins and flashing his colors until the others retreated to continue sulking in the back corner. So keeping them is definitely not going to work out even with the upgraded tank space.
I have no idea about the frequency of when LFS get more trifascitatas, the place is rather out of the way for me so I don't go there regularly. And getting the new female was with the express intention of having two "pairs" but, as I've found out one of the other "females" wasn't as such so, might as well narrow the pairing attempts down to one.
Unfortunate to hear about the male BN though. After all I did to try and compromise with him only to figure he'll probably have to go anyway. I mean, he wasn't meant to be part of the tank in the first place as he came with the setup when I bought it (along with a bunch of big mean cichlids that got rehomed a long time ago) but still.
I have no idea about the frequency of when LFS get more trifascitatas, the place is rather out of the way for me so I don't go there regularly. And getting the new female was with the express intention of having two "pairs" but, as I've found out one of the other "females" wasn't as such so, might as well narrow the pairing attempts down to one.
Unfortunate to hear about the male BN though. After all I did to try and compromise with him only to figure he'll probably have to go anyway. I mean, he wasn't meant to be part of the tank in the first place as he came with the setup when I bought it (along with a bunch of big mean cichlids that got rehomed a long time ago) but still.
Well, if you don't mind a fish that hides almost all the time, digs & breeds like crazy every month...this is why I chose to keep a female...But you will surely have to choose, if not now, eventually, either 1 male or 1 female.
Yes, the size of the male vs female apistos concerns me. You big tank MAY help, or not. I bought 6 (of 2 different species than yours) & the big female killed 1 or 2 males that didn't live up to her expectations & her breeding timeline. They may be small but they are cichlids...a female scorned is, well, not to be taken lightly...
Yes, the size of the male vs female apistos concerns me. You big tank MAY help, or not. I bought 6 (of 2 different species than yours) & the big female killed 1 or 2 males that didn't live up to her expectations & her breeding timeline. They may be small but they are cichlids...a female scorned is, well, not to be taken lightly...
I just wanted some pretty fish maaaan. ?
Jokes aside, I get that a cichlid is a cichlid is a cichlid no matter the size but, geez. Guess there's nothing for it but to rehome the 2 apisto males and BN when I next visit the store and cross my fingers that the female doesn't decide to go Amazon warrior on the remaining male's behind.
While on the subject, I've heard that farlowellas are rather easygoing and may have difficulty competing with other bottom feeders. Between all the cories and the other BN do you think one would have issues getting food? I always make sure there's enough for everybody without overfeeding (even the snails get their share) but it's something that's crossed my mind regardless.
Jokes aside, I get that a cichlid is a cichlid is a cichlid no matter the size but, geez. Guess there's nothing for it but to rehome the 2 apisto males and BN when I next visit the store and cross my fingers that the female doesn't decide to go Amazon warrior on the remaining male's behind.
While on the subject, I've heard that farlowellas are rather easygoing and may have difficulty competing with other bottom feeders. Between all the cories and the other BN do you think one would have issues getting food? I always make sure there's enough for everybody without overfeeding (even the snails get their share) but it's something that's crossed my mind regardless.
