Decoy/dither Fish..

[vancouver]

I've got a pair of rainbow cichlids that like to do their little spawny spawny every so often.. They're in a square 2x2x2 tank...(not exact measurements) The tank is 40g... anyways, they like to eat their babies, and look bored half the time, so I'd like to get some dithers for them to bug..

The male is a thick 4'' and the female is about 3''.....

The thing I worry about adding dithers is that there is only 2 square feet for them to run around in.. I'm not sure if anything will be fast/hardy enough to get away from them..

I thought about giant danios, but I've never had them myself and don't know if they are fast enough... I'd also like the dithers to chill in there while they spawn.. they've eaten the fry all 3 times they've spawned, and I don't want to remove one or both of the parents..

Anyone have any ideas on good dithers, or have an educated guess on giant danios?

holla

 

[chrismr]

How about just regular danios? They should be fast and small enough to get away?

 

[vancouver]

I did think about that... but I have a feeling they would be eaten/killed... these rainbows are kinda mean to each other at times during spawning.. I have seen the female wedged behind the filter hiding with bite marks all over her, and missing fins..

So I'm guessing that small danios would just be ripped apart with a few bites..

Maybe I'll hold off for awhile and see if their next spawn is succesful before I try some dithers.

 

[drw32]

I use Otos for dithers. They are fast and good at hiding if needed. Plus, they will not eat fry so you can leave them in after spawning. One more good benefit (for you)...they are cheap. So, if your rainbows do catch up you will not be out a lot of money.

 

[chrismr]

So, if your rainbows do catch up you will not be out a lot of money.

Thats what I was thinking with the danios... should we be ashamed of yourselves?

Would ottos make good dithers? I would think you would need something more active and visible to be an effective dither fish. I also find them one of the easiest fish to catch with a net, let alone how a rainbow would get on with chomping one.

 

[vancouver]

Ottos are kinda touchy, small, and actually expensive around here at least. I look to pay about $4 at least for an otto... My rainbows are bein pretty psycho today.. I wish I could head to the US, as the petsmart over the border has some sort of rainbows.. not tetra, but like the turquoise ones.. and theyre like $1.50 each..

I think I might give them another try at spawning, and if that doesn't work, I'll throw some money at some giant danios I guess.

 

[kubora666]

$1.50 is alot of money ?
i bought a gar for £30, thats nearly $50...