i had this red devil for a year its about 9" and i want to mate it with a female. he is in a 100 gallon tank

Question

i paid 15$ the other day for a female that already had babys and he killed her, she was 5" what should i do.

Answer 1

First,before introducing another female get some kind of tank divider.(I usually make one using fluorescent light grid material,from a building supply store.) It's possible to have the fish spawn without removing the divider,but don't count on it. Only remove the divider when both fish appear to be ready to spawn.Stay with the tank and be prepared to re-divide if it doesn't seem to be working out. Be patient. Provide a probable spawning site on the female side of the divider and maybe wait until she actually begins to lay eggs. Also try to find a better size match.-----Good luck,it ain't easy.-----PeeTee

Answer 2

Chiclids can be a little touchy when it comes to finding them a mate. First of all that's HIS territory, so, yes, get a divider for the tank. Second a 5" female is a bit small for a breeding size devil, get one that is as close to his size as possible. Keep them seperated and feed the female a LOT. They will NOT breed through a divider, Chiclids have elaborate mating rituals and form strong pair bonds. Wait until the male is strongly displaying to the female, believe me you'll know it when you see it, we males do love to strutt. when the female starts responding it's time to remove the divider, but stay close and be ready to seperate them again. It might take a few tries. A couple of signs that they are compatible will be when you see them "kiss", lock jaws and do a tug-o-war. Next is hole digging. Remember to get a big smooth, flat rock for them to lay the spawm on.

Answer 3

Buy another one, separate them in an area that they can both see each other. If they show no signs of getting along, you'll know. Take it back and keep trying. Maybe he just likes to be alone.

I had a Cichlid that was the same way and I wasted good money on trying to find it a mate. But he killed off every similar fish I put in his tank.