Kribensis Cichlid Problem

[danny ..]

hi guys iv just added a pair of kribensis cichlids to my communtiy tank and they seemed fine but today it took me bout an hour to spot the male and soon as i did the female chases him away!! i no they can be aggresive when given birth and she looks fat but she dont bother any of the other fish just the male krib? anyone know why??

 

[VespertineStar]

Kribs can be very territorial when they aren't an active pair, how big is your tank and what sort of plants/ornaments do you have in there? Have you given the Kribs adequate places to hide from each other?

 

[kribensis12]

Are you positive that they are a male and female? Not two females? Or two males? Is the female bigger than the male? If so, it will be hard to get them to pair off, because the females are big bullies. I would take them both out, re-arrange the decorations, and then FIRST put the male in, and put the female back in after an hour or so. So he has a better lay of the territory than she does, and he won't be as easily bullied.

 

[danny ..]

Are you positive that they are a male and female? Not two females? Or two males? Is the female bigger than the male? If so, it will be hard to get them to pair off, because the females are big bullies. I would take them both out, re-arrange the decorations, and then FIRST put the male in, and put the female back in after an hour or so. So he has a better lay of the territory than she does, and he won't be as easily bullied.

thanks for the advice,, its a 350ltr tank with real plants,bog wood,slate and a cave i put in just for them or her which shes in quiet a lot, i belive there is a male n female(female,bigger brighter belly),iv not seen the male for bout 2 days , think hes hiding behind the filter box.its annoying as i was only gonna get the female but was advised to have a pair!!
also how can i be sure shes pregnent,she looks kinda big with a really bright belly??
thanks dan

 

[kribensis12]

If they are a pair, they would lay eggs. Can you post pictures? I could sex them for you if you like.