Krib Cichlid

[Duz]

I had 2 female Krib Cichlids about a year ago. However, once they established their territory, one of the females started to bully the other krib to gain more territory. Eventually, it ended up owning around nine tenths of the tank. When the other fish became ill it carried on getting bullied and eventually died. Now that I only have 1 female krib left which is almost fully grown, would it be an idea to get another krib, or is it just going to be left to the same fate as the other krib. I know they establish territories and that you should over stock cichlid tanks it prevent this. But any advice would be helpful. Thanks

 

[minnnt]

Get a male and you may be ok.

 

[Duz]

I was only planning on going up to 2 kribs as otherwise they wouldn't have enough territory. I heard that its a bad idea to put 2 males together but seeming as I haven't got any males that won't be happening. But thanks, I will try to get a male next time.

 

[minnnt]

If you get a male then they will likely pair up as she is thinking one is on his way hence why she is setting out her territory. The male will need to be bigger though I think so he can deal with her behaviour in the first instance. Don't get two males or one will be killed, and also don't get another female as the same will happen again. The only logical thing to do is to get a male.

 

[Duz]

Ok thanks, the only downside is that the female is fully grown so finding a male of the same/bigger size could be interesting. The good news is I can't get 2 males as I would only have a maximum of 2 kribs and seeming as I already have 1, the other would have to be either male/female. Thanks for the advice and it sounds logical to get a male. Do know if they need any specific conditions for breeding or will I have baby fry swimming around everywhere?

 

[Squidward]

Introducing a male should be ok.

Do you have another tank?
It may be worth your while taking the fmale out for a week or so. And then introducing her back when you add the male. That way she is a newcomer to the tank, just as he is.
Another thing you could do is rearrange the decor just before you add him.

Are they going to be in a community tank?
If so, the chances are that the eggs/babies won't survive.
Mine in my community breed all the time but something (prob my Hoplo Cats) eats the eggs.
If you do want to breed, you need some sort of dedicated set up.

 

[Duz]

I only have the 1 tank so won't be able to take the female out at all and yes it is a community tank. I did have some rice fish and then 1 day I found some fry in the tank. So I know some fish can be bred in community tanks but I wasn't sure if they are easy to breed or not. I don't plan on breeding them, but was just wondering, thought I would gain a bit of knowledge