Breeding 2 pairs of dwarf cichlids in the same 2ft tank?

[nicktc]

My viejita spawn again. This is their second spawn ( 1st spawn was about 3 weeks ago )

This morning, found the female swimming near some moss with a school of fries.
She has gone missing for the past few days, making short appearances only at meal time.
What a pleasant surprise.

This time they have a pair of P. taenaitus sharing the 2ft tank. The female taeniatus breeding tube is showing and they have already dug a hole below a piece of wood. They are not guarding the hole yet, so I guess no eggs have been deposited.

What are the chances of survival of the fries if both pair of fishes breed in the same tank?

[benetay]

This is tricky. Hoping the Viej pair are good parents able to fend off any predators if not, the fries might be food for other fishes in the tank. A 2 ft tank is way too small for 2 pairs of dwarf to spawn at the same time.(My views).

If the tank is heavily decorated, chances are the line of sight may have been lowered which is good. On the other hand if the tank is open it might reduce the chances of fries survivability to almost none.

There can always be exceptional happenings, i'll not enforce hard & fast rules since there isn't concrete evidence.

My guess:

1)The highest percentage(of fries survival) if the male and both the pair of taenaitus are removed.
2)High percentage if pair of taenaitus are removed.
3)Low percentage if left alone.
4)Almost no percentage of fries survival if there are other occupants in the tank like 20 cardinal or equivalent.

Cheers!

[genes]

Can be done. I have bred Ap. bitaeniata in a 1.5ft tank with just 2 java ferns on logs, some ceramic pots and around 15 other Ap. bitaeniatas inside. And as mentioned by benetay, survival rate of the fries will be low. In my case, zero.

And if you are breeding different species in a comm tank, be prepared for casulties.

[benetay]

Breeding shouldn't be an issue but survivability of fries is another question on hand. Can we safely say that the proportion to ( X number of other fish) will lead to (Y number of fries) supposing the eggs hatched?

[nicktc]

looks like nothing much I can do right now.

The othr female seems to have deposited her eggs. She always rushes back into her own little cave when I approach the tank.

[Simon]

2ft abit too small for 2 pair, I prefer a 2ft per apisto pair guide. But then some fishes can be quite tame and tolerant other apisto.

[nicktc]

Actual tank size is 2 x 1.5 x 1.5. With lots of plants and wood.

I am thinking what benetay has suggested. That is removing the males. Now the tricky part is to trap and catch them out.

[benetay]

The best time is lights out. When they're in sleep, fish them out. It's easier to do so without causing stress to the rest of the inhabitants.

Good luck!

[nicktc]

have isolated the males


but I found this fellow, must be from the first batch.

[benetay]

Congrats, if you are going to decorate your tank more the possibility of survival will increase by a lot.

I like fries shot!