Breeding kribensis

[Aqua John]

Hi all I have a male and female both of breeding age but the female is older and larger than the male. Will she accept him to mate with?

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Only way to find out is to put them together and see how they go. Condition them well by feeding lots of protein, frozen or live brine shrimp is always a winner. Give them a cave to spawn in and wait for all the babies!

 

[Aqua John]

Only way to find out is to put them together and see how they go. Condition them well by feeding lots of protein, frozen or live brine shrimp is always a winner. Give them a cave to spawn in and wait for all the babies!

Thanks captain I'll give it a go I was just concerned because the female is a very dominant fish and is tank boss in a 4ft communal tank. Ruthless she is!

Only way to find out is to put them together and see how they go. Condition them well by feeding lots of protein, frozen or live brine shrimp is always a winner. Give them a cave to spawn in and wait for all the babies!

 

[anewbie]

Might but probably not - also regardless they will fight for 3 or 4 weeks - (time is somewhat dependent on a lot of factors). this is normal. If he 'wins' they become a pair and if 'she' wins they don't - it isn't really quite like this - the he and she win part; but it comes down to whether she will accept him. You don't have to feed them special foods - flakes/bug bites are fine. Kribs do require a lot of greens so if you don't have plants and stuff then be sure the food you feed them include some greens.

 

[Aqua John]

Might but probably not - also regardless they will fight for 3 or 4 weeks - (time is somewhat dependent on a lot of factors). this is normal. If he 'wins' they become a pair and if 'she' wins they don't - it isn't really quite like this - the he and she win part; but it comes down to whether she will accept him. You don't have to feed them special foods - flakes/bug bites are fine. Kribs do require a lot of greens so if you don't have plants and stuff then be sure the food you feed them include some greens.

Thanks anewbie it is a well planted tank. I have a couple of plecos in there to and I regularly feed green beans and broccoli. I have noticed her going after the beans.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Lots of places to hide from each other is essential, there's plenty of space in a 4ft tank. I think they'll be fine

 

[GaryE]

Size may not matter. An older female (females choose their males) can be more experienced in life, and is usually a better breeder. If the male is healthy, she'll accept him. You should know within a week.

They don't automatically pair off, but odds are good they will. I have had female P kribensis (you probably have P. pulcher) choose from among a group of males, and they don't always pick the largest.

 

[anewbie]

Size may not matter. An older female (females choose their males) can be more experienced in life, and is usually a better breeder. If the male is healthy, she'll accept him. You should know within a week.

They don't automatically pair off, but odds are good they will. I have had female P kribensis (you probably have P. pulcher) choose from among a group of males, and they don't always pick the largest.

One thing i will disagree with - is time - you might know in a week but do not be concern if it takes several weeks longer. It might even look like she will kill him before she ends up accepting him. Also if he is small due to age he might not be fully mature and that will play a big role.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I have a female and juvie male...she chases him off often but I have a heavily planted tank with lots of places to hide. He often sees her coming before she notices him and he slinks away before she can have a go. When he gets bigger I'm sure she'll accept him and they'll be a lovely pair hopefully

 

[anewbie]

by the way here is dad (or maybe it was mom) watching over the babies; this isn't their nest - this is just where they take the kids during the day:

 

[Colin_T]

If they are common Kribensis cichlids, they will probably accept each other and get down to business really quickly. These fish are as bad as humans when it comes to breeding and aren't all that fussy about partners.

 

[Aqua John]

If they are common Kribensis cichlids, they will probably accept each other and get down to business really quickly. These fish are as bad as humans when it comes to breeding and aren't all that fussy about partners.

So they really are like humans!

 

[Aqua John]

I have a female and juvie male...she chases him off often but I have a heavily planted tank with lots of places to hide. He often sees her coming before she notices him and he slinks away before she can have a go. When he gets bigger I'm sure she'll accept him and they'll be a lovely pair hopefully

That is encouraging thanks captain.

 

[Aqua John]

One thing i will disagree with - is time - you might know in a week but do not be concern if it takes several weeks longer. It might even look like she will kill him before she ends up accepting him. Also if he is small due to age he might not be fully mature and that will play a big role.

I'll keep that in mind thanks anewbie.

 

[Aqua John]

Hi all I have a male and female both of breeding age but the female is older and larger than the male. Will she accept him to mate with?

Woo hoo I woke up this morning to find my male krib backing into my female cave they have been together all day long no sporning yey but I'm sure there will be.