N.multifasciatus Help

[AdAndrews]

Hi guys, i had 4 multies in a 60cm tank, but i brought 2 new ones(big fish) the other week, so rescaped the tank so they would tollerate each other..

however, it appears the 2 new ones are a pair, they dont EVER fight each other, but only sometimes hang around with each other..

do i need to take the other 4 out, it seems asif the 2 are tring to usher them away, the 4 now live at the top of the tank, and come down at night, they are healthy.

Also.. has anyone successfully bred multies? got any tips?

thanks for your help
Adam

 

[AdAndrews]

bump.

 

[kiriyama]

Check post by ashemely ...
I did read on another forum or website that the other fish were removed and the single pair were left, don't know if this is rule of thumb or just one persons experience though, if you have another tank no harm in trying, let us know how it goes...

 

[ashemely]

Just found a couple of free swimming fry in my tank today, so my Multis have bred, now I suppose it's up to me not to fudge it all up. The only thing I can think of is the more than likely possibility that my female didn't lay her eggs in a shell, but in a ditch she dug in between two slate slabs, so I assume she and the male had enough room to do the deed there. Also, I did raise the temp a long time ago to 78F, as I read on a website that a higher temp would help produce breeding, although I have also read that Multis are not able to tolerate higher temps past 80, so if you do raise your temp, be careful. But I did do this a couple of months ago, so I'm not quite sure if that really helped at all.

Honestly, any time I give up on any of my critters breeding, sure enough a couple of weeks later, I've got babies or someone's preggers, lol.

Good luck and keep an eye out for the TINIEST bug lookin creatures. Seriously, all I saw were eyes, and I couldn't help but think: what is that sperm shaped bug with huge eyes?

 

[AdAndrews]

thanks guys, i will keep an eye out

so, shall i remove the other 4? i dont really have any place for them at the moment though, whats the smallest tank you would put them in??

 

[kiriyama]

At an educated guess 10gall

 

[AdAndrews]

At an educated guess 10gall

fingers crossed, i may be able to get a hold of one, but this isnt ideal longer term, i cant keep on having tanks, maybe i'll just take them to the lfs?

what i dont want to happen though, is if the paired 2 dont breed, and then i end up having a whole 60l with 2 fish in

 

[kiriyama]

You might get away with smaller if it's just for the pair, pets@home sell some small clearseal tanks pretty cheap (can't believe I jusy recommended p@h), if it's only temporary should be ok.....
http/www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/shell_intro.htm
Seen some other links recently but I thiught I had saved them , sorry......

 

[AdAndrews]

i'll decide, thanks for your help guys

 

[AdAndrews]

Ive got hold of an 18"x10"x10" 29 litre clearseal tank, so i will be moving them over within the next couple of days..check my journal for new pics..