Breeding Groups

[jcunningham0295]

When looking to setup breeding groups of peacocks or haps, what is the best ratio? 1M/3 to 5F, 3M/5F, or 3M/7F? I heard only having two males can be an issue, it is either one or three. Is this a correct statement?

[Jshakour]

The only rule I really follow is 1m two or more females. Make sure you have plenty of hiding spots for the females. I also will float a "bushy" plastic plant on the surface for the females to hide in.

If after a while of no breeding, you can try to add some dither fish to the tank. That might trigger a spawn.

I hope this helps!

[Pam Chin]

Hi J,

I usually like to get 12 - 18 fish, and set them up in a minimum 55 gal tank. I raise them up together and I don't worry about the ratio. When you have a larger group it is harder for one fish to get single out. Multiple males are good, the males can take aggression out on each other instead of your precious females. I really enjoy the aspect of a larger groups in species only tanks and I often seen subdominate males spawn too.

Cichlid Power!
Pam

[Andrew Schock]

The problem with 2 is one often kills the other (or pesters it until you remove it). With 3, the alpha's aggression is dispersed a little more.

The problem with 1 is if you were to lose it for some reason, you no longer have a breeding group.

That said I think 1 is fine, but if you have the space and extra females 3 is probably better.