Thorichthys Elliotti

[Littlemonkey]

Thanks to Star4 I have 5 of these beauty's. I have noticed that two of the 5 are slightly bigger and have either end of the tank as their patch. The three smaller ones are staying more in the middle, where there are flat stones and more plants. Ive noticed that recently that if any of the smaller ones venture out, they are rounded back up into the middle by the one of the larger ones. I have also noticed that one pair seem to be dancing round each other. So, have I got two males and three females, I googled this but couldn't find a simple answer. Is this normal behaviour. I've never kept these before so all help would be usefull. Oh yes one thing I have found out, my god they are greedy so an so's.

 

[minxfishy]

Ive got 6 (from star4) and I too have two/three larger than the others, plus a pair has already been formed, although aside from the size difference, they are hard to sex.

The males will be slightly larger and have more pointed anal fins, whereas Ive found the females have a brighter pink to their tummy area.

The dancing is a mating ritual, they go round and around in circles to each other, rub each other and the males will appear to nip at the females anal area. They are still a bit young to breed though.

 

[Littlemonkey]

Ive got 6 (from star4) and I too have two/three larger than the others, plus a pair has already been formed, although aside from the size difference, they are hard to sex.

The males will be slightly larger and have more pointed anal fins, whereas Ive found the females have a brighter pink to their tummy area.

The dancing is a mating ritual, they go round and around in circles to each other, rub each other and the males will appear to nip at the females anal area. They are still a bit young to breed though.

Yes I thought they were still abit young. Thanks about the pink tummy for the females. They are real sweethearts and have learnt quickly that when light goes on at night and mummy is near tank it's feed time. Trouble is everytime I go near the tank all five are there right at the glass with that feed me look. Anyway I thought you were taking it easy today, naughty lady.

 

[minxfishy]

I am taking it easy, sitting on a cushion, laptop on lap, bored silly really.

Do yours go weird when doing a water change? Mine all line up, noses down in the sand when I re-fill the tank, weird little things

 

[star4]

I know that feed me look, try looking at a tank with 40 pairs of eyes all watery going mum we are starving even when they were fed 10 minutes before It does sound a little like you may have 2 male and 3 female, nice combination to have more female than male. Funny you say about the rounding up, my lone female constantly rounds up the texas in the big tank? I dont know why they seem to head stand when they have water changes unless its from when they were tiny and me saying "stay still you little beggers" so I didnt suck them up the pipe
I guess I just breed crazy fish lol

 

[Littlemonkey]

I hadn't notice'd the water change dance before, will be doing another water change this weekend so will have a good look. Glad your taking it easy Minx, mind you, your like me I know I shouldn't be lugging buckets and watering cans around but when the babies need a clean Star4, if only I could get a larger tank I would have more from you. Did anyone else turn up for the others and how are the frontosa doing.

Oh yes, I ordered a 300wt heater on the 26th from Ebay, hadn't received anything or heard anything. Put a complaint in yest and low and behold it turned up today. Sometimes it does pay to complain. So that will be another job for me to do on sat.

 

[star4]

I have sold a few more but not many, have had comments about the vibrant colours of mine compared to those in shops, but I am guessing thats because the shop fish maybe more stressed. Seems most people that come for fish are more interested in getting my 2 servs off me. All the fronts are doing excellent thanks, I am really pleased they are all looking so good now. The little 6 group are all growing again now they are in the bigger tank most impressed with little Minxy's progress she has really filled out now and got some good colour again, although from time to time she does get a little faded, she is getting rather hard to tell against the others now though.

Know how you feel with ebay, I ordered a load of ornaments really expensive stuff, I have recieved the wrong order and waiting to see if the other person sends me my stuff.