My New Rotkeils

[kaivalagi]

Female I think...I assume this later pictured one is the smaller of the 2?

Yes mate 'she' is smaller. How would these start to pair then?

Absolutely no guarantees....my sole female is a little overwhelmed right now until I get some of the males rehomed...right now she is a moody git and gives out a lot of agro to the males and seems to be keeping a spot in the tank for herself based on shelter and generally being a good spot for breeding in....

Star4 gave me some advice quite a while back, the tank where the parents of these fish reside has an open area of about 3ft in the center of the tank where the pair "dance" and "court" each other...I am guessing you'll need some space for taunting and provocation etc and that it should be obvious if there is any prolonged interest. If you've had other cichlids breed before then you'll be in good stead to see the known signs....and even if you haven't had it happen before it will be fairly obvious anyway.......however, it might not ever happen!

 

[minnnt]

Thanks for the advice. I have had angels breed before but nothing else. I guess it would be quite obvious if they did start to pair up. I need to rehome an angel and a few others too... lol.

 

[DRE]

I believe the second one is female due to lack of markings on gilplatter. However the picture is very flat and would have benefitted from better contrast. At the age were they start coloring up as yours have the markings should be clearly visible.

For pairing up I have seen that it makes it easier if you have some bogwood the resides horisontally on a hight so that can spawn underneath it or close underneath it. Then these fishes prefere vertical or 45 degree surfaces to spawn on, thus a bogwood or large stone can be of use in that area.

I have a movie with my spawning couple. The male is in similar size as your in this film. He is now 16 months older and more than twice as big.



And later the fry from that spawn feeding on brine shrimp I hatched myself:

 

[minnnt]

The video's are really good mate, especially the first one! I have the bogwood similar to how you mentioned and they like hiding amongst it, which is good sign then?

As for the pictures, lol, they aren't exactly the easiest thing to photograph as everytime i point the camera at her she faces the other way! And as for the quality, i'm no pro with the camera, lucky that some of them are even in focus!!

The 'male' seems a bit less aggressive today!

 

[DRE]

If they stick together in a certain area that is for sure a good sign compared to spending most time apart. Be patient and they will spawn...

 

[minnnt]

Thanks DRE, will keep an eye out