[shimby]

I have a 2 Trewavasae one male marmalade cat and a female about 3 inches each. They are in with my various tropheus ( 2 red molero, 1 kaizer) 4 demasoni, 4 yellow labs, and 2 plecos.

Anyway, the male use to chase the female around all day, not hurting her and letting her eat during feeding. Now, as i write this, they are doing this strange dance. they are following (slowly) each other in a small circle, smelling each others privates and on a flat rock. The one who is BEING smelled shakes during. Are they getting ready to mate? what is going on?

 

[Guest]

Yep, that's their mating dance. If your not seeing eggs then their mock mating.

 

[shimby]

i though she was pooping, but it was thick and white, perhaps eggs coming out, but the flat rock was on an angle so they would have fell to the back of the tank. His cave is below the rock and is protecting it very well. She is making strange mouth movements.

 

[shimby]

cpuld be eggs, b/c she is pooping now and it did not look the same before thick white short droppings before. but they are both out and neither are gaurding their cave.

 

[shimby]

ok, she may be carrying. Earlier I saw a double chin like i have never seen before and mouth more pronounced than hiding under the nose like normal trewavasae. As of this post, she is now in her cave and has not come out in the last hour.

 

[kingdave]

Sounds like you've witnessed a spawning. Keep us updated on the progress... I, for one, am very interested in hearing how it all turns out for you.

 

[shimby]

Thanks Dave. Only one problem, i am pretty much new to Chiclids and breeding. I have a ton of caves and some plants for hiding places for the fry. Do i need to do anything. The trwavasae are the largest fish in the tank at 3 inches. I have 4 demasoni (1-2 inches, 3- 1 inch fm) 4 yellow labs ( 1.5 inches each) 2 tropheus moleiro (2 inches each) 1 BN albino pleco ( 1.5 inch) and common pleco (2 inch). Any preparations needed?

 

[shimby]

oh, and its a 72 gallon bow front.

 

[shimby]

I have confirmed, she is holding. I also have 1 - 3 inch male Melanochromis Auratus. Will he eat the fry? He is classified as an Omnivore.