Why are female Moliwe so fragile?

[chriscoli]

Ok, so I just lost my third female Pelvicachromis taeniatus Moliwe tonight. All three females have suffered the same malady and I've heard rumor that its not uncommon. No other fish in the tank, including the male Moliwe, seem unaffected.

When it happens, the female is in full spawning dress, doing her little shimmy dance for the male. Then, after a few days, I notice that she's still colored up, but in the corner resting on the bottom. A day or so later, she's breathing heavily and not eating. Then it's rapidly downhill. All of the females were fully plumped up as if they were going to lay eggs any minute, but now I'm wondering if that's more due to whatever disease it is.

Anyone else have this happen? I have some young females from the one spawn I got from this pair, so I'll likely put one or two of those in with the male and see if they hit it off, but I'd really like to know what's going on.

 

[Rasta Fish]

Stress maybe?
the male maybe harassing her too much, enough hiding place in the tank?

 

[jonclark96]

Sounds like the may be getting egg-bound. I have no idea on treatment.

Hopefully it works out better next time.

 

[JasonC]

Sounds like the may be getting egg-bound. I have no idea on treatment.

Was going to say the same thing... maybe your male is not taking care of his ladies?

 

[chriscoli]

Stress maybe?
the male maybe harassing her too much, enough hiding place in the tank?

With most Westies, it's the female that does the harassing. It's her job to convince him to spawn.

 

[chriscoli]

Sounds like the may be getting egg-bound. I have no idea on treatment.

Hopefully it works out better next time.

Actually....makes a lot of sense. The male I have is...well...difficult to interest. I have read that some folks have gotten so frustrated with non-performing males that they are shocked the species has survived at all.

Which then makes the egg-bound theory quite plausible.

So basically.....it's all his fault!

Seriously, though, I guess trying a different male is a good idea.

 

[Rasta Fish]

With most Westies, it's the female that does the harassing. It's her job to convince him to spawn.

I did not know this ...you can tell i have mostly African Cichlids

 

[verbal]

You might try asking over on Pvas, or asking Rick McKay directly. His user ID is taeniatus something.


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[jonclark96]

I know Tony has Anton's email address. He may be able to help as well.

 

[Andrewtfw]

Let me know what you find out. Over the years, I've lost dehane, kienke,bandewouri and moliwe females exactly the way you described. Always the female.

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[Prince]

Sounds like maybe the females need a harem instead of males.

 

[Avatar]

You may already be a winner

Sounds like maybe the females need a harem instead of males.

That's actually quite astute, enough so that I'll forego relating its resemblance to remarks I've heard from a few CCA members. Oops.

Might be worth a try - speaking of the fish that is -- dithers might also help to spark the desired "interest" on the part of a male, just like in - oh nevermind.

 

[JasonC]

I wonder if it would be possible to harvest an egg bound female much as they do for artificial insemination at game fish farms? Or are our dwarfs just too small and gentle for that kind of treatment?

http://youtu.be/tCN0q2NA5yc

 

[Avatar]

Seriously?

Would sort of take all the fun out of it, neh? Possible doesn't mean practical, but assuming one could coax the eggs out without injuring the female, how exactly would one anticipate harvesting/collecting the other essential ingredient?

"Whatcha doing?"

"Playing a movie called Deep Cichlid for my fish."

"Right...And what's with the turkey baster?"

"Don't you have something better to do? I'm a little busy at the moment."


Not sure how it's done on farms but wouldn't surprise me if it's fatal to the males, something I'm personally committed to avoiding in any context.

 

[Rasta Fish]

ound:.....Sam

 

[mchambers]

I dunno, Sam, I'm sure there are fishkeepers who would think what you propose would be fun. Not that I'm one of them, mind you. . .

 

[thedavidzoo]

I had a pair that never spawned, despite the female's best efforts. She almost always had a ripe belly. The male was never impressed. He eventually died. I finally got another male, also not interested in the female. One day she never came out of a log she occasionally hid in. That was that.
Same situation, I think.

 

[JasonC]

Would sort of take all the fun out of it, neh? Possible doesn't mean practical, but assuming one could coax the eggs out without injuring the female, how exactly would one anticipate harvesting/collecting the other essential ingredient?
etc..

Not really talking about fertilizing here... more about saving a female from dying a horrid death from infection caused by an abdomen full of rotting eggs. Just a thought since no one seems to have a solution to being egg bound, but many seem to have fish who die from it. But like I said, dwarfs may be too small to be able to do this to without causing leathal injury.

On the note of "collecting the other essential ingredient", no it does not kill the fish... watch the video I linked to. they are able to express both ingredients, and then fertilize in quantity without harm to the fish... but this is on larger food fish.

 

[Avatar]

Au contrare fishbreath

I dunno, Sam, I'm sure there are fishkeepers who would think what you propose would be fun. Not that I'm one of them, mind you. . .

By no stretch of the imagination was that a "proposal". And no worries, I didn't/don't suspect you of any such vicarious gratifications. Maybe others but not that one....

 

[Avatar]

Oh the horror

Not really talking about fertilizing here... more about saving a female from dying a horrid death from infection caused by an abdomen full of rotting eggs. Just a thought since no one seems to have a solution to being egg bound, but many seem to have fish who die from it. But like I said, dwarfs may be too small to be able to do this to without causing leathal injury.

On the note of "collecting the other essential ingredient", no it does not kill the fish... watch the video I linked to. they are able to express both ingredients, and then fertilize in quantity without harm to the fish... but this is on larger food fish.

Just (out)gassing mate. Will look at the link.

Have heard that salt can sometimes induce egg release, and as many Pelviachromis are frequently found in brackish water it may well help. For what little I know it may well be where some go to spawn...