I wouldn't chance it. It looks to me like you need to give them more hiding places, shelter, and dithers to occupy their attention. If this were me I'd move the male out, do all of the above (Java moss!), put the other female back in, and let them settle down. Once that has happened you can add the male back- carefully!
Well, that solves the problem temporarily, but if you want to reintroduce them, it is far easier to add the male to a female(s)' tank than vice versa.
She was easier to catch. I will redo the tank so that there are more hides and try again.
That's really the key, but here are few other suggestions you might want to consider.
Well, maybe the kribs will get downgraded then. The 55g might be a better option.That's really the key, but here are few other suggestions you might want to consider.
You need to break up the sight lines at substrate level, because the male will want everything in sight as his domain. If that's the whole tank, that's what he'll claim, but if it's just a corner, even a small one, he'll be content with that as long as he can't readily see the rest of the tank. That's why I suggested Java moss, as it's an effective sight barrier, and you really need a densely planted tank. The individual 'caves' don't need to be very big: Nanochromis like to be 'cozy,' and if the pair can fit into it, it's big enough; anything more is just wasted space. Shale is ideal, stacked in such a way that they can dig under it.
As indicated above, another component of their behavioral repertoire that you must satisfy is their need to dig. Your first substrate was not appropriate for these fishes, and even the second one is coarser that it should be. The digging is an important part of pair bond formation and maintenance, and serves to dissipate energy that might otherwise be channeled into aggression.
Finally, although a small tank like this one is fine for an established pair, getting them to pair up in such a limited space can be tricky, as you've discovered. Once you've dealt with the tank setup, I'd add both females, and once they've settled in, add the male, and keep a close eye on things. At the very least this will serve to spread the aggression around, and it may increase the likelihood of pair bond formation. With these fishes, that is the biggest challenge. Worst case analysis- you need to give them a bigger tank, perhaps something like a 33L or 40L. Good luck!
Oh yeah, the Nanochromis may be smaller fishes, but they need a bigger tank than Pelvicachromis, and a 55 would be great. I was able to keep two males and multiple females in a heavily planted 55 when I was breeding N. transvestitus.
I will be needing to get sand for the 55g as it has smaller gravel (3-4mm) but that will allow me to use that in another tankOh yeah, the Nanochromis may be smaller fishes, but they need a bigger tank than Pelvicachromis, and a 55 would be great. I was able to keep two males and multiple females in a heavily planted 55 when I was breeding N. transvestitus.
Sounds like a plan. BTW, the Crypts look awesome in that tank.
ThanksSounds like a plan. BTW, the Crypts look awesome in that tank.
The N. splendens are looking really nice; any boy-girl stuff going on yet? Their courting displays can go on forever, and are very entertaining.
Not yet. I'm still running separate frat and sororate houses.The N. splendens are looking really nice; any boy-girl stuff going on yet? Their courting displays can go on forever, and are very entertaining.
1m:2f
That will probably work just fine in this tank, but keep an eye on them once a pair bond has formed, as sometimes the pair won't tolerate an 'extra' female.
