Firemouth Aggression

[bobf]

I've had a couple of firemouths for quite a while now in a 45g tank. One of the two is clearly the dominant one and seems to have grown more than its brother/sister/cousin? He (she) wont have the other Firemouth too close, but doesn't bother anyone else.

There's one or two other odds and sods in there too, corys, SAE, and one female brazilliensis (about 3") left over from the last brood spawned in the same tank (see avatar - I sold the other offspring and the parents cos they kept breeding.)

Still too small to sex either Firemouth but one sits quietly in the background most of the time while the other goes where he likes. I'm guessing I've got two boys or two girls?

Anyways, yesterday I bought a beautifil pair of G. Surinamensis (not sure which variation yet) which clearly are a pair. They seem fine eating, sticking together as you'd expect, but the dominant firemouth isn't having any of it. (they are a similar size at present). The firemouth gives them the same treatment the little firemouth gets, although there's plenty off bogwood and planting so it's not too difficult for them to get out of each others way. Clearly not perfect though. I'm thinking about 3 possible solutions;

1. Get a couple more Firemouths and see if any pairings develop - surpluss then back to the store
2. Re home the boss firemouth
3. Leave them too it for a while until the pecking order is established

Any thoughts or other suggestions?

 

[cjohnston]

Hi

I have two firemouths and from what I have been told and what you say, you could have a pair. Generally, the female is smaller, pallr, can sometimes have a shorter dorsal fin and spends her life in a corner (where the male puts her). This is exactly how mine act, I find it very hard not to feel sorry for the female but apparently, this is what the males naturally do to them. They are very difficult to sex, but mine are definately a pair as they are fully grown.
Only time will tell. I would leave for a while and see if things settle down.