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I had a female A. cacatuoides living in a community tank for quite a while, about a month ago I purchased a male and moved the pair into their own tank. Within a few days they spawned, and then the female spent her time either guarding the eggs or chasing the male.

For some reason she ended up eating the eggs but continued bothering the male. I added a few small dither fish. That didn't help and I finally took out the male since he had fin damage, wasn't able to eat, etc.

He is now fully recovered, living in my 30g with angels, rummynoses, kuhliis, and a clown plec.

Would it be safe to try a second attempt at breeding? I was thinking of putting him back in her tank and if they do spawn I'd remove him after just in case. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I don't know exactly how you can go about it but I think half the problem is that the female probably thinks she owns the tank. Maybe you could introduce them both at the same time?

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[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I had this same problem with a pair of apistos. I separated them for a few days while I rearranged the tank. I had lots of visual barriers. There was nowhere in the tank where vision was uninterrupted. My driftwood was thin, but about 4" or 5" high, and I had two pieces that each went diagonally half the length of the tank & I placed them slightly overlapping. Combined, they created sort of a dividing fence, with an opening in the middle (where the overlap was), gaps at either end & some places for sneaking underneath, all of which enabled quick getaways when required. This meant that one fish could swim at the back & the other in the front, without seeing each other. Besides that, heaps of plantings and other little pieces of driftwood for my male to duck behind or hide under.

Hope this helps. Good luck with future spawnings.

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Cheers
TW

I would suggest trying what has already been stated. Or, try adding her to his new tank. As the territory in his tank, has become his territory and he will probably be stronger in it. Just be sure to place any breeding caves and such at one end of the tank. This promotes less space for her to guard. And gives him more safe space.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Thanks for the replies.

I ended up taking down two small tanks and set up a 20 long that had been sitting empty for a while First I added a school of rasboras and the male apisto; after they were settled I added the female.

There have been no aggression problems, now I just have to hope they spawn.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I hadn't done much with the tank since setting it up, I was planning to start conditioning them next week after a water change. So big surprise to come home last night and see eggs! The female is guarding but not bothering the male at all.

Not terribly fantastic shots





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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

AWESOME!!!

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There is always a bigger fish...

How cute and congratulations! Now is time to get the fry food cultures going. Let us know how it goes!

Rats, she ate the eggs again

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean