Effect of group size on behaviour and welfare of fish

[itiwhetu]

Ifvyou read my post again you’ll see that I said the majority of cichlids don’t do groups once they mature, which is true. You’ve giving one species as an example of the minority that do.

We will just have to agree to differ on this.

 

[Ichthys]

We will just have to agree to differ on this.

Yes. Or you could do a little research of your own. You’ll soon see that most cichlids are decidedly territorial, and form pairs as soon as they mature and defend their breeding/feeding territory from all comers, especially their own species. This includes nearly all CA cichlids, all predatory cichlids, and most species from SA and Africa. It’s not great to give incorrect information without researching whether it’s true or not.
The info is all out there....

 

[FishHobby99]

I don’t know much about cichlids. this one guy was giving away baby Red Devils, I think they were, & I asked how they would do in a 40 gal tank. He said they get huge & aggressive and one would need 75 G. Not the fish for me!

 

[itiwhetu]

Yes. Or you could do a little research of your own. You’ll soon see that most cichlids are decidedly territorial, and form pairs as soon as they mature and defend their breeding/feeding territory from all comers, especially their own species. This includes all CA cichlids except Thorichthys, all predatory cichlids, and most species from SA and Africa. The info is all out there....

Doesn't really explain that I have managed to breed Severums in communities, Bred Africans in communities, Kept multiple Angels together in groups of up to 40 fish. Ran Discus in groups of 6 fish. Kept most Dwarf Cichlids in tanks with 10 to 20 fish.

 

[Ichthys]

Doesn't really explain that I have managed to breed Severums in communities, Bred Africans in communities, Kept multiple Angels together in groups of up to 40 fish. Ran Discus in groups of 6 fish. Kept most Dwarf Cichlids in tanks with 10 to 20 fish.

Severums, Angels and Discus are all social cichlids ! They peel off from the group to breed, then rejoin the group. And most dwarf cichlids only need a small territory because of their size. You’ve been breeding the few species that are the minority.

 

[FishHobby99]

Severums, Angels and Discus are all social cichlids ! They peel off from the group to breed, then rejoin the group. And most dwarf cichlids only need a small territory because of their size. You’ve been breeding the few species that are the minority.

I was very surprised to learn there are so many species in the cichlid group. Even the kind I have in the freezer, talipia. Sorry can’t spell it.
commonly grown on fish farms and sold as frozen fillets.

I ordered 2 cichlid books & am looking forward to their arrival. Got the kinds with lots of photos.

 

[itiwhetu]

Funny I thought we were only concerned with fish that we keep in aquariums, but it is true we should consider all the others as well, just in case someone buys one from somewhere.

 

[Colin_T]

Even the Black Piranha has sex once a year...

that's more than most married men get

For @Byron, what is the link at the bottom of post #1 meant to do?
I click it and get an error page

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Cichlids actually do do groups and are happiest that way from my experience, these guys for an example
View attachment 142006

That tank looks mad overstocked and cramped, just sayin’.

 

[itiwhetu]

Even the Black Piranha has sex once a year...

Why do they only have sex once a year?

 

[itiwhetu]

That tank looks mad overstocked and cramped, just sayin’.

It is amazing what you can achieve when you consider the fishes needs. This is the full story just in case you haven't seen it.

Severums having fun

This is mum dad and the kids. This was a 250 liter tank the Severums spawned multiple times and always managed to raise a few. When I sold the set up there were 30 Severums plus the two Jewel Cichlids you can see in the photo.

www.fishforums.net

 

[Colin_T]

Pretty sure the male black piranha builds a nest in the substrate and guards the eggs. I could be wrong, but if correct, he would get a couple of matings per breeding season, if he's lucky.

 

[itiwhetu]

Pretty sure the male black piranha builds a nest in the substrate and guards the eggs. I could be wrong, but if correct, he would get a couple of matings per breeding season, if he's lucky.

Is he a Charican?. If so, interesting behavior for a member of that group

 

[itiwhetu]

@Colin_T, Just did a google you are right. Interesting as I have spawned Silver Dollars and have always just assumed this group of fish would spawn in the same way.

 

[Colin_T]

There's a few tetras that breed differently. Splashing tetras (Copiena & Copella sp) lay eggs above the water and the male splashes water on them until they hatch.

I'm pretty sure the swordtail characin does something different with eggs too but I haven't got my books to confirm that. I think there was another tetra that breed in a weird way as well but I can't think of it.