Cockatoo Cichlids

[Gilli]

Hi

I've recently got a male cockatoo with a female. He is a real beauty with flowing fins colours and magnificent spikes and when he flares he is awesome! A few days ago the female came into breeding and laid eggs but the male was not the slightest bit interested despite her trying to get him to be with her by dancing for him, and I dont think they were fertilized as they stayed a beige colour and on reading up I think they should have been orangey red? She guarded them fiercely for 3 days then they disappeared - I presume either she or some other culprit ate them!

Anyway last week I purchased 2 more females as this is supposedly the correct ratio but the male is just not interested. He chases other tank members off but he completely ignores them as if they dont exist! Is this normal or is he possibly gay?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

cichlids often take a few go's of unsucessful breedings before they manage it, i take it they're young and just coming up to breeding age. just give it time and I'm sure they'll manage!

 

[Colin_T]

unless the tank is 3ft or longer I would remove the 2 new females as they sometimes argue when confined to small spaces. Best results are usually obtained from a single pr in a 40litre (10gallon) 2ft long tank.

and as Miss Wigglies says, most take 3 or 4 goes before they get their act together.

 

[Gilli]

Thanks Ms Wiggle and Colin. The tank is a huge deep 4 footer 250L so plenty of room for all with lots of caves and hidey holes. Everyone seems to be getting along ok just thought the male would be a little more excited!

 

[vancouver]

I've had the same problem.. Female is very interested in breeding, but for some reason the male just doesn't help her out!

 

[Bigbadbaz]

I had the same problem, wonder if a big batch of males are "batting for the other side?"

 

[Colin_T]

I had the same problem, wonder if a big batch of males are "batting for the other side?"

LOL
queer eye for the straight fish

males usually take a little longer to mature mentally, although they are usually well and truly bigger than the females when only a few months old, they take a bit longer to work out what is going on.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I had the same problem, wonder if a big batch of males are "batting for the other side?"

LOL
queer eye for the straight fish

males usually take a little longer to mature mentally, although they are usually well and truly bigger than the females when only a few months old, they take a bit longer to work out what is going on.

i'm increasingly convinced fish are very similar to humans you know.