2 adult female true pers in same tank

[watson_barrett]

What would happen if you introduced an adult female (say 3') into a tank with another established adult female, say 4'


100G system w/ plenty of rockworth, no males.


????????????????????????

 

[traveller7]

In most cases, they will fight, then stake out territories with one becoming more dominant.

In some cases, the dominant female will not tolerate another female in the tank, beat the lesser up, chase her out of the tank, keep her from eating, etc.etc.

In some cases, they will pretend the other does not exist and or even get along.

fwiw: Are they confirmed females, i.e. breed previously?

 

[watson_barrett]

Well reason I ask, The orig female (4') was breeding and laying egg w/ my deceased male. I think the female killed him after i removed thier eggs one day, just a theory though...

Anyways i wanted to replace the male w/ a slightly bigger male and i think i misjudged the size of my current female (i thought it was a lot bigger than the replacement fish was)

But turns out it is only maybe 1' bigger if that.....

So i'm wondering if the replacement fish isn't a female as well.

The replacement has been in the tank for about a month and they get along fine, so i'm just wondering if i have a male or 2 females, just wondering if there is a way to tell.

Fish behavior: They generally stay on opposite sides of the tank during the day and then as soon as the lights go out the replacement fish joins the female in her old mating spot and home and they hang out together all night, very wierd.

They never bully each other and i have never seen them do the mating dance thingie.....

Any thoughts????

 

[traveller7]

New arrival could be female, male, or even juvenile.

If the existing female tolerates the new arrival at night, you may have gotten lucky :>)

All the best and update us in a few months.

 

[watson_barrett]

If it is female, there is no chance of it turning to male correct????

 

[kimsie]

oops - misread post...

 

[traveller7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13232960#post13232960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by watson_barrett
If it is female, there is no chance of it turning to male correct????

I am only aware of one reference incident theorizing a change from female to male.

There are confirmed accounts of 2 females laying infertile eggs and even taking turns "pretending" to fertilize as males.

In your situation you have a proven female and one unknown new arrival. I would not put money on the outcome, but it is a positive indicator they hang out together at night. Time will tell, but unless your new arrival has been confirmed to lay eggs, nobody can guess the sex.

fwiw: I have a 10+yr old A. ocellaris which is fairly large. I have attempted to pair it many times in the past, for some reason it does not seem to make the jump female or male. It seems content in letting juniors take both lead rolls. It would seem it is a 2"+ permanent "juvenile". Nature continues to throw curves and break rules.