Blue Acaras Breeding Behaviour

[JohnRossDele]

Hi all, my 2 blue acaras are in courtship i think they shiver theyre heads, the male flares his fins and puffs out his gills like a betta, they both clean the area that is the front~left corner of the tank (i think theyre making a nest theyre or maybe it is the nursery for the babys when they hatch; normally a pit in the sand)

but what i think is holding them back is because the tiger barbs stay low to the ground in that nest-area which possibly they are trying to snatch up the eggs when the female lays them, I was think if i had a restock like so:

2 blue acaras
6 cory doras medium/large
1 bn pleco

would this incourage them to lay theyre eggs since they will be able to cope in chasing them away, here are the pics

the pair

female

the male

flat rock to lay eggs on

the male always chases away the other acara as i think they are singling him out
thanks

 

[Faythee]

I would just move the Tiger Barbs for now and see what happens.

 

[JohnRossDele]

I would just move the Tiger Barbs for now and see what happens.

will do, then possibly if that dont work take the rest of them out gradually

 

[Acara Man]

Question - When sexing Blue Acaras do males have the tubes or is it females?