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How Do Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish Males Behave Towards Eachother?

8K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  k19smith 
#1 ·
I've kept Praecox Rainbows for some time, but have always had just one male in my school. My male just passed away due to old age, and now I'm thinking of changing the ratios around, and having 6 females and 3 males.
Right now the tank is exceedingly peaceful, and I want to keep it that way. So I want to know how the males would behave towards each other - I've heard that they will "display" or "spar" - what exactly does this entail? Do they ever hurt each other, or will there be a dominant one that picks on the others? Would the fish be less stressed if there was just 1 male instead of 3, or would they pretty much all be happy with 3?
If anyone could describe in detail how their males behave I would really appreciate it. If anyone knows of where I could see a video of Praecox male interaction that would be good too.
Also, would the 6 females be more stressed if there were 3 males instead of 1, or would they be fine?
I just want to make sure that the peace in the tank remains complete. That's more important to me then having lots of pretty males.
 
#2 ·
I think it may depend how big your tank is. Is there lots of space to find their own territory and avoid an aggressor? I read that if you're keeping only 6 you should get all males or all females, but I saw that on the internet, and don't know how reliable that is. I had 5 total, 4 females and 1 male. I've also lost my male, and 2 females and I'm down to 2 females. If you lived close I'd sell you mine cheap, as I do feel they should be in a larger group, but really don't want to get more. I would imagine the aggression could involve a lot of chasing, probably no real damage, but would create stress, that is why a large tank would be ideal.

Gwen
 
#3 ·
I kept Praecox years back. I don't remember much of any chasing or nipping. They did do a lot of showing off to each other (i.e. flaring fins and posturing). I think 2-3 males to 6 females would be ok. But maybe wait for others who currently have them to chime in as it's been while since I kept them and my memory isn't what it used to be. LOL
 
#4 ·
I have a 75 gallon with pairs of RBF 2 each of Austrailan, Turq, Boesmani,and a M/F pair of Dwarf Neon RBF. I also have 5 Congo Tetras and the whole bunch of them shoal together. There is some flaring, a little chasing now and then but for the most part very peaceful.
The two Aust are the most aggressive but that is not saying much... The Neon Dwarfs...? Zero Aggression ever. But I also don't see any bonded pairs amongst any of them.
 
#5 ·
Most rainbow people try to keep a mix of males to females I'm not sure on your tank size but if you have room I would add 4-6 males. With one or two one tries to be alpha but with a mix of both they all seem to live happily. With only one male he has a lot of work to do, flaring is just a showing of fins in my experience rainbows don't seem to injure each other.
 
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