Green Terror breeding

[TaxBaby16]

So Hello First off I am new here, been a long time since ive been on forums
Ive recently acquired a 45G setup with a few algae eaters and 2 green terrors. I didn't think I would like them based on description but they are stunning!!
Ive been reading a bit and it seems this setup might be too small for the 2 but they seem to be fairing well, even might be setting up to mate?
So 2 questions, I really dont think carrying on with mating in this setup would be fair or feasible, if the female lays eggs can I remove them? (Consequently will this break the mating cycle agression) and secondly (out of pure curiosity) what is the importance of letting fish "organically" pair up? Does this mean you cannot just pick 2 opposite sex GT's and breed them?

 

[BIG-G]

First off. Welcome to MFK!
I agree that this setup is too small for a pair of GT.
These fish can reach 10+ inches.
Setting up a group is the simplest and most sure way to get a compatible pair with the greatest chance of a future spawn.

It’s not impossible to pick a male and female at random and get them to pair.
It’s not 100% that they will get along and pair up though.
In my experience removing eggs or fry doesn’t break the pair in fact it can cement the bond because the pair will sometimes unite to defend them.
I usually do not remove eggs (unless I’m concerned that they will be eaten by tank mates or parents) I will wait till the fry become free swimming, then remove some and leave some for the parents to raise.
I believe that allows the new parents to practice and also strengthen the pair.

Very nice looking GT btw.

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

So Hello First off I am new here, been a long time since ive been on forums
Ive recently acquired a 45G setup with a few algae eaters and 2 green terrors. I didn't think I would like them based on description but they are stunning!!
Ive been reading a bit and it seems this setup might be too small for the 2 but they seem to be fairing well, even might be setting up to mate?
So 2 questions, I really dont think carrying on with mating in this setup would be fair or feasible, if the female lays eggs can I remove them? (Consequently will this break the mating cycle agression) and secondly (out of pure curiosity) what is the importance of letting fish "organically" pair up? Does this mean you cannot just pick 2 opposite sex GT's and breed them?

View attachment 1415290

View attachment 1415291

Welcome to the wonderful world of the forum and yes 45 gallon is to small for a green terror I recommend just for 1 green terror a 55 gallon but for a pair i would say a 75 gallon for space and to allow them to breed better and develop their own territories

 

[TaxBaby16]

First off. Welcome to MFK!
I agree that this setup is too small for a pair of GT.
These fish can reach 10+ inches.
Setting up a group is the simplest and most sure way to get a compatible pair with the greatest chance of a future spawn.

It’s not impossible to pick a male and female at random and get them to pair.
It’s not 100% that they will get along and pair up though.
In my experience removing eggs or fry doesn’t break the pair in fact it can cement the bond because the pair will sometimes unite to defend them.
I usually do not remove eggs (unless I’m concerned that they will be eaten by tank mates or parents) I will wait till the fry become free swimming, then remove some and leave some for the parents to raise.
I believe that allows the new parents to practice and also strengthen the pair.

Very nice looking GT btw.

Well I didnt get to remove the eggs, they were in a tight spot. They did come alive (not sure of the proper term yet) but moma ate them before anything could happen. She is now dark as coal and finally back out and eating again.
So more questions... Popa dosent have the typical bump on his head and he is 6 " at 2 years old. Moma is 4" From what I know they have always been in this tank. Have they been stunted or is this regular growth time? Will the bump ever develop?

 

[BIG-G]

Well I didnt get to remove the eggs, they were in a tight spot. They did come alive (not sure of the proper term yet) but moma ate them before anything could happen. She is now dark as coal and finally back out and eating again.
So more questions... Popa dosent have the typical bump on his head and he is 6 " at 2 years old. Moma is 4" From what I know they have always been in this tank. Have they been stunted or is this regular growth time? Will the bump ever develop?

Some will develop the hump and some don’t.

This is a male I had a few years ago.
He never developed the kok till he was 3 or 4 and didn’t show any signs of even having one till it paired with the midevil in the background.
So the terminology: when the eggs have hatched they are referred to as wrigglers and when the fry are able to move on there on is called “free swimming “

 

[TaxBaby16]

One last thing for now, Why does the male sometimes display a sort of stripped pattern on his back? Is this breeding behaviour, water quality or him mocking the convicts?

 

[BIG-G]

View attachment 1416223One last thing for now, Why does the male sometimes display a sort of stripped pattern on his back? Is this breeding behaviour, water quality or him mocking the convicts?

Cichlids in general use different colors and patterns to express their mood.
These bars are some times referred to as stress bars.
But this doesn’t necessarily mean that the fish is in distress.
They will show them as a warning to rivals or other fish to stay away.
Sometimes they will show them as a mating display.
Sometimes it’s a warning to their mate or offspring to keep them safe.
These are Festae or Red terror. In this video notice the male bar up when the female sees a black rock and then the male bar to warn the female and fry to stay back. Around 35 seconds in.
Very interesting I think.

 

[BIG-G]

And since you keep GT here’s a little bonus video of the big Male I had trying his best to woo this female midevil.lol

 

[TaxBaby16]

The female has completely changed colours

 

[BIG-G]

It looks to me that the female isn’t too happy sharing her space with the convicts.
Are you absolutely certain the fry are gone?
Cichlids will spawn In one place and when the fry hatch and are wigglers mom will move the fry.
She will tuck them under a rock or in a tight space so she can better defend them.
Unless you actually saw her eating them, check around the tank.
Use a flashlight they can hide them really good sometimes.