My jewels are fighting *update*

[Elisabeth83]

Well my jewels have decided to fight tonight. They are a pair and are raising 1-2 week old fry. Seems they are each trying to take over the fry and chasing the other off. Both the male and female are being aggressive towards eachother. I saw them lock jaws a couple of times and the female darting around the tank like mad.

Her lip looks swollen too..probably because of the jaw locking. Is this normal behaviour of jewels or do I need to move mom out asap??

The only tank I could move her into would be with my kribs and new diamond tetras. That doesnt sound too safe to me though??

Someone please help!

 

[jollysue]

Hope you get an answer

 

[Elisabeth83]

Maybe they arn't really fighting here's an article I just found:

"Jaw-locking is dangerous because the jaws are essential for so many aspects of a cichlid's life. A dislocated jaw could be a prelude to death. However, jaw-locking is also the ultimate way for two closely-matched fish to determine who wins and who loses. It is so important that in cichlids many species have incorporated jaw-locking as part of courtship: potential mates lock jaws and test each other's fighting ability. A partner that cannot fight is a partner that will not be able to protect the fry adequately."

I also just found this even though they are talking about Dempsys I believe it applies to jewels too.

"I rescued a pair of Jack Dempseys from a local pet shop because they needed a good home. Since I was 13 at the time, nobody thought I could handle them. I am now 16 and I have bred them 3 times. I have observed that my Jack Dempseys always enjoy a change and relish plants, but not for the more obvious reasons. They seem to enjoy destroying them and replanting them! Honestly, I swear they like gardening and also enjoy a bit of landscaping. So what I find they always enjoy is replanting and re-arranging the tank around for them, but this should not be done if signs of courtship are shown by the pair. People have often seen their pair of Jack Dempseys locking jaws and battling, this is a sure sign that your Jack Dempseys are going to breed and is often observed before, during and sometimes after spawning. But the male AND the female can sometimes be too rough, so always try to keep a discrete eye on them. My female Jack Dempsey had only 1/3 of her tail left when I received her. This injury was caused by the male. Jack Dempseys always prefer to spawn on a smooth piece of flat slate. Also, like most fish, Jack Dempseys can be induced to spawn by feeding them more live food and by raising the tank temperaturte a bit. With these few tips, very soon you'll have a nice happy family of Jack Dempseys 'et les' fry. But remember, the best way to breed your Jack Dempseys is to completely gain their trust, so that they will not be disturbed by you while and after spawning."

So what exactly are my pair doing?? testing eachother to protect the fry? Wanting to spawn again?? I don't know what to do.

 

[jollysue]

It' kind of off a little but I noticed that when we put a new 10"+ frontosa in with our long standing 10"+ orange oscar in a new larger tank, the oscar and frontosa would open their mouths to each other as a way to posture. The frontosa has the bigger mouth and backed off our oscar into a corner until he behaved. He's a spoiled only child. They are funny.

Still waiting with you to hear. I'm not famialiar with your fish. Have you posted in one of the Cichlid forums. I found some really mature responsible wisdom in the New world forum.

 

[Elisabeth83]

Haha sounds like the oscar knew what was best for him

I posted a link to this post in the cichlid section. I should of posted there to begin with but I wasnt thinking and just quickly posted in this section. I dont know why anyone isnt answering me though...

It's nice of you to reply though even if you dont know the answer )

 

[jollysue]

 

[lucky62]

you shoul tank one or both out , if you have a tank 4 [?]feet or larger things may work out . My expirience even in a 4 footer the male chased the females so much they'd eventually die ..............take the adult Jewels and the kribs back to the shop for credit .........raise the fry......keep a couple , and get some cockatoos for your other tank

 

[jollysue]

Hey Lucky62

I was hoping you would answer Elisabeth. I recommended you as a mature, level headed guy.


I did see another posted answer regarding a pair of convicts mouth wrestling by juanvaldez in the New World Cichlid forum: Courting behavior or fighting.

I gotta say though the little cockatoos are delightful lovers and fit for a community tank.

 

[lucky62]

you shoul tank one or both out , if you have a tank 4 [?]feet or larger things may work out . My expirience even in a 4 footer the male chased the females so much they'd eventually die ..............take the adult Jewels and the kribs back to the shop for credit .........raise the fry......keep a couple , and get some cockatoos for your other tank

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I should have edited " should take "



Jollysue , me level headed , thank you ........

Elizebeth , Sue , like me is biased to cockatoos

 

[jollysue]

How are your jewels doing? What did you end up doing or deciding? Elisabeth83

 

[Elisabeth83]

Oh I didn't see you two were replying to this thread ) Well the jewels took a trip back to my lfs I am seriously gutted though. I've taken back a couple of fish to my lfs before but it's these guys that I still keep thinking about.

I checked on them yesterday I'm pretty sure they still have the female but I couldn't see the male. I actually try not to look because it just makes me feel bad.

I also took my kribs back. I noticed yesterday they separated my male out of the tank. I wonder if he was harassing the other females and smaller boys? I miss them too

I've stocked the 55 differently as to how I thought I was going to. Right now I've got 4 pearl gouramis, 8 diamond tetras and 10 rasboras.

Joe- Do you think I can still fit in a pair of peacocks/badis badis or a pair of cockatoos ( ) in there? What about a little clean up crew? I was thinking of trying a bulldog pleco (rubber lipped pleco same thing?) or maybe some hillstream loaches but I know they like the temp pretty low so they might not work.

 

[jollysue]

Sounds like a sweet tank. I like diamond head tetras. They are show up and don't take up much room. I'm glad you resolved your conflict without any deaths or dismemberment.