More Than 1 Pair Of Cockatoo Dwarves

[Spank]

I've currently got 3 cockatoo dwarves in my tank, 1 male and 2 females. I bought 1 pair recently and they're both young, the other female is slightly older and bigger than the other 2. The tank is large (140 US gallons) and they're all getting along just fine (although the larger female seems a bit frigid towards the new males advances ), the killer is though, I was in my LFS the other day and they have some wonderful looking pairs that are of different varieties. I currently have a sunburst male and the LFS has some great looking triple reds. If I were to buy another pair, would the larger male become dominant and bully the smaller male? or will it be ok if there are enough females and tank space to spread the aggression.

Thanks Hank

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I've currently got 3 cockatoo dwarves in my tank, 1 male and 2 females. I bought 1 pair recently and they're both young, the other female is slightly older and bigger than the other 2. The tank is large (140 US gallons) and they're all getting along just fine (although the larger female seems a bit frigid towards the new males advances ), the killer is though, I was in my LFS the other day and they have some wonderful looking pairs that are of different varieties. I currently have a sunburst male and the LFS has some great looking triple reds. If I were to buy another pair, would the larger male become dominant and bully the smaller male? or will it be ok if there are enough females and tank space to spread the aggression.

Thanks Hank

I think it'd be fine with plenty of room and hiding places

 

[Spank]

I've currently got 3 cockatoo dwarves in my tank, 1 male and 2 females. I bought 1 pair recently and they're both young, the other female is slightly older and bigger than the other 2. The tank is large (140 US gallons) and they're all getting along just fine (although the larger female seems a bit frigid towards the new males advances ), the killer is though, I was in my LFS the other day and they have some wonderful looking pairs that are of different varieties. I currently have a sunburst male and the LFS has some great looking triple reds. If I were to buy another pair, would the larger male become dominant and bully the smaller male? or will it be ok if there are enough females and tank space to spread the aggression.

Thanks Hank

I think it'd be fine with plenty of room and hiding places

Huzzah , thanks again Miss wiggle, you're a wealth of useful information!!
right!! now to wait for mum to come back with the car so I can go shopping

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ha ha mostly people say i'm full of something else

always get a 2nd opinion though no one person knows anything, just my opinions.

personally i'll wait for as many replies as possible before making a firm descision

 

[Griz]

You don't say what else is in the tank but generally, in a 140g you certainly have room for a few males provided there are lots of caves, plants, wood and other structure. Remember that the females will carve out their own territories too and be just as agressive in defending them (or more so) than the males. Ideally you should have more caves than fish.

 

[Spank]

You don't say what else is in the tank but generally, in a 140g you certainly have room for a few males provided there are lots of caves, plants, wood and other structure. Remember that the females will carve out their own territories too and be just as agressive in defending them (or more so) than the males. Ideally you should have more caves than fish.

THe tank's newly setup so there's A LOT of space to play with
also in the tank are 5 Rams (2 males to 3 females), like apisto's I know these are territorial so with the rams and the apisto's I'm getting 2 more pieces of bogwood and another lump of slate for cave making. The tank is also heavily planted so they can't see each other that often. in the middle of the tank are 4 congo tetra (2male 2female) and 3-4 black neons. THe congo tetra are staying but the black neons are going back to the store and being exchanged for a large school of cardinals and some htachets for the top
LAter in the new year when I invest in an RO unit, there shall be 6-8 Discus in the tank as well


My big worry at the moment is a pair of yoyo loaches that lurk along the bottom as well. They're not exactly aggressive, just a bit belligerant and never really give any of my apisto's or rams much piece and quiet. I've already posted a thread somewhere about trying to get them out but it's not easy so any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Spank]

hmmm, another quick question, I want my Apisto's and rams to start spawning and I've come to conclusion that there may be 2 problems that are preventing them from doing so.

The water quality isn't ideal, pH is currently 7-7.5 and the water is hard (>10dkH, I live in London) This however will soon be remedied with an RO unit and RO water when the new year (and my student loan) comes. There's a pressurised CO2 setup and a nutrafin yeast setup running but getting the pH down is a slow process with water that's so hard.

...Or is it the fact that my 2 yoyo loaches are too skittish that the Rams and apisto's don't get enough time to themselves to "get it on" They're an absolute pain to try and catch so I've all but given up trying to get them out of the tank.

Hank

 

[Griz]

Your water is just fine for Cacatuoides, they should breed and raise fry with no trouble. Are you seeing any breeding behaviour with them? They generally breed like rabbits. I wouldn't be surprised if your loaches are eating their eggs as soon as they are laid.