[xfatdannx]

I have 2 GBRs and 5 Phantom Tetras in a 20g tall. moderate light (2.4 wpg not sure of the PAR), pressurized co2, dry ferts, 1 med and 2 small pieces of DW, planted well (but i just replanted so i could clean the whole tank, it currently looks a lil bare, just has to grow out).

Any way...

I had the Female GBR first. She was BEAUTIFUL! Then i got the male, also looked GREAT! They were fine together for about 3 months, but recently the male has been chasing her constantly. She has no injuries but is obviously stressed as her color has faded and only seems to return when i come near the tank (thinks its time to eat every time). I obviously am not going to be able to pair these two...

I've been told that with these fish, the male decides his mate, so i think he is ready to pair and just not satisfied. Should i get rid of this female completely and get 2/3 more and add them, let him decide, then separate? Obviously i can't keep more than 2 GBRs with my tank size.

Any suggestions welcome! I appreciate it!

 

[tankman12]

I would add 2 more females. So the male and female will decide and pair up. Instead of making them pair. Then get rid of 2 females after you get a pair.
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[Flint]

Yes, adding more females and removing the ones he doesn't choose will help. Aim for 3 new females.

 

[xfatdannx]

Get rid of current female THEN 3 new females or all together? Maybe he will choose her still???

How long, on average, until i have a clue who he likes?

 

[tankman12]

I would get rid of her and get 2 or 3 more. If they were going to pair, it most likely would of already happened. The only real way to tell if they are a pair is when they breed. Even then they can still separate.
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[Flint]

GBR pair for life, tankman. There is no separating after they pair.

 

[tankman12]

Some do, flint.

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[lilnaugrim]

Actually tankman12 is right, it does not happen very often and generally only after a mate dies. I've only seen it happen once though, does that mean all of them will? Certainly not.

I think what he was saying though is that, they can mate but not exactly act like a pair; there can still be plenty of chasing and nipping and being aggressive depending on the individual. I do not believe it true for the general consensus but it's possible.

I would keep that girl and get 2-3 more females, after all he might decide he likes her after seeing the other girls ;-) You'll know when they start to hang out much more often and defend an area of the tank from the other Rams.

 

[xfatdannx]

You'll know when they start to hang out much more often and defend an area of the tank from the other Rams.

The male already defends his area. The funny part is one of my male Phantom Tetras has lost his fear of the ram. He was doing the whole "tetra mock battle" flaring to the ram, like he was saying "I aint scared of you!" Tried to get it on video but once i got it recording i must have startled them bc they stopped.

 

[tankman12]

Does he guard it with the female? Or from the female?
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[lilnaugrim]

Aha, that's real cute xfatdannx. I love Black Phantoms and their flare!

 

[tankman12]

My white finned rosy tetras do it literally ALL the time. It is pretty cool.
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[xfatdannx]

Does he guard it with the female? Or from the female?
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I would say neither...

He chases her every time he sees her, and i mean EVERY TIME. She tries to stay away from him. He only guards that area when he tries to hang out in that area. If he is up at the top and the tetra goes there, he doesn't care.

lilnaugrim: Aha, that's real cute xfatdannx. I love Black Phantoms and their flare!

I love my phantoms. I need to get more females though. I had a virus and euthanized 3 before it spread further They used to attempt to spawn when it was a 4:4 m/f ratio...now its 4:1 m/f ratio. I am surprised she made it this long with all that testosterone