Apistogramma elizabethae Harem Questions

[Gecko]

I started with a pair and just added 2 more females.

Hoping to find out if the male would just pair up with one female only or will take turn to breed with all 3 females. Thanks.

He is a happy camper right now, I am not sure if he is courting all 3 or trying to kill them Flaring and chasing all 3 all over the tank. Lots of hiding spaces really helps.

Cheers

[illumnae]

from what i've been reading on apistogramma.com, apistos fall into 2 categories with regards to breeding. there are those that form a bonded pair (e.g. nijisseni group) and are picky with their partners and those who are harem spawners and will spawn with almost any available fish of the opposite sex (e.g. Ap. eremnopyge).

Ap. elizabethae belongs to the latter category of harem breeders so i think your setup would be good and won't end up with just 1 pair and 2 ignored/killed females

[doppelbanddwarf]

I think for such breeding to take place in an aquarium you might need a large tank. Females protecting their eggs and brood would certainly defend a part of the tank as her own territory. In a small tank the female which breeds first might try to kill the other females.

[Gecko]

Thanks guys, great info. I have backup tanks if it comes to that.

[benetay]

I did a 1 male 3 female harem in a 6footer. No 3 spawning at a time. Max is 2. 3 might be pushing the limit but it will be a joy seeing all 3 spawn. Spawn as in 2 success spawn to juveniles stage. Each at it's own corner. A safe rule will be around 1 female every 3 feet.

Cheers!

[nicktc]

would be nice if you could create different territorial areas for the individual fishes.