Kribs Don't Get On

[kim03333]

hi i have 3ft tank with a pair of kribs in it but i dont think they like each other. they are the only fish in the tank at the moment and i'm not sure on the sex of them but one is slightly bigger (think she maybe female due to her brilliant strong colouring) and the other i think is male. i'm thinking the famale is bullying him as everytime she sees him (usually hiding around the same area of the tank) she arches her back fin and sort of drifts towards him and then chases.

he's so shy and i'm getting worried about him as he stays in the front right area of the tank and seems to swim up and down the glass moving his tail extremely quickly. if it is the case that he's bullied do you think adding 2 more krib to the tank would stop the problem?

any help very appreciated thanks, kim xx

 

[kj23502]

There are a few ways to distinguish the genders of the fish. One way is the by the fins. The males usually have a pointed dorsal fin as well as tail fin. The females have "eye" spots on their dorsal fin. They also have a rounded dorsal and tail fin. Males are also bigger than the females. The females will also have a red round stomach. After a while of the male and female being together they should pair up. It works best to have the largest male and the smallest female together to make it happen faster. This is to lessen the aggression of the female, as larger females may injure the smaller male. Once paired up the pair will breed about every few weeks

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Cichlids...2382/Kribensis/

 

[kribensis12]

It owuld be nice if we could see a picture to properly sex them if you are still unsure of thier sex from the link KJ gave you.

 

[kim03333]

It owuld be nice if we could see a picture to properly sex them if you are still unsure of thier sex from the link KJ gave you.

unfortunately not possible to get a pic on here but im pretty sure the vicous one is female and the other one is male. she absolutely hates him and he's so scared. it must be cos he's smaller than her. do u think putting in 2 more kribs could help sort it out?

 

[kj23502]

This is quoting from the article I gave you
"It works best to have the largest male and the smallest female together to make it happen faster. This is to lessen the aggression of the female, as larger females may injure the smaller male."

What about returning your fish trying to get a little female and a big male?

 

[kim03333]

This is quoting from the article I gave you
"It works best to have the largest male and the smallest female together to make it happen faster. This is to lessen the aggression of the female, as larger females may injure the smaller male."

What about returning your fish trying to get a little female and a big male?

yes i think that is going to be the best option, now i have read this advice i will know what to look for when i get the fish to ensure m/f. thanks for help

 

[kj23502]

You're welcome

Happy fish shopping!!! That's one of the most exciting parts, imo. Picking out and buying the fish!!

 

[johnnybravo]

Generally the female will initiate breeding by showing off her brightly colored abdomen. To entice the male she will arch her body, curl her fins, and vibrate her body in a courtship display. Females ready to spawn can be quite aggressive, and are often described by their owners as 'cranky'.


It sounds to me like youve got a horny female and the males not playing ball