Clary42 Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Hi, I would like to get some expert opinions, I have just got 30 fantastic adult tropheus Bemba from different sources and want to form a breeding colony. Should I sell off all my males and just have 1 stud or should I keep them all together. There is about 20 fem and 10 male. What do you think?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noddy Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 I thought the 'best' ratio was 1m:3-5f so for what you have I'd probably cut 5 males so you are left with 5m:20f. Alternatively if they are all happy leave it alone. Aggression will be spread between more fish but your spawns generally won't be as big as they get distracted chasing off some of the other males. What size tank? Cheers Trav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary42 Posted June 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 5x2x2 with 1500lph canister filter with uv, carbonate substrate and some rocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noddy Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 In that size you could possibly look for a few more females. I've got 27 in a 3x2x2 with no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETFISH Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 I'd leave as is as far as male's go but yes you could add more female's ,but when/if you do make sure you rearrange the furniture just priar to adding new fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efc Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 They will sort the ratio out themselves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trofius Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 I agree with efc...But its up to you, if you want this to happen.. I have had many colonies all with different ratios, and numbers, to be honest my best colony was 25 kiriza that was 12M 13F, in a 6x2x2, the boys fought a bit but at the same time didnt harrase the girls, the girls bred and held full term and released in teh tank, every month i would pull it down remove up to 100 fry and then start again, was awsome.. my WC lufubus are 4m 12 f katonga 1m,1f she hold 20+ every 6 weeks!!! the colony imploded (6 dead in one day!!! killed by the spawning pair) duboisi 6m, 18f ilangi 5m 8f kachese 30 fish about 50:50 havnet counted them chilambo 1m,1f in with my duboisi breed every few months. all my colonies are in 5x2x2 or 6x2x2 tanks, there is the usually rough play but they all breed, and i maybe get an agro related injured or dead fish once or twice a year... if you see a fish getting beaten up remove it to a display tank....people dont tend to just want to buy excess males.. But fish are like people, some groups get along well, the difference is having a an established hierarchy with a fair leadership, or then there are assholes that are stupid that just need to be removed for sake of the group..watch them and decide what is happening.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary42 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Thanks for the input guys. I will take your advice and leave them alone. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Hi Andrew, Your new Bemba group you got from me got along and bred fine in their 6x2x2 regardless of the ratio. I guess because they've spent a while together they've learned where they fitted into their colony. There were 2 dominant males at either end of the tank and a subby that kinda had a go every now and then around the middle rock pile. The other males were happy to cruise around with the females minding their own business. They were a relatively peaceful Tropheus group. With the inclusion of the 1 male and extra females from your other colony I'd leave them to sort themselves out. If you notice breeding problems then it maybe time to do something then. Good luck with them, Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloydashton Posted June 16, 2013 Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 With an established colony you would probably find removing a few males would cause chaos with the ranking. I would just leave them be. That is still alot of females to breed, and generally only 1 or 2 males will breed with them anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clary42 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2013 Thanks again Troy they look great. I had the males fire up today and the colours were fantastic. Great fish from great guy, hope your shipment was better than you expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
