Question about breeding with Assorted Tank

[Mcass]

I have had my 54 gallon aquarium for about 2 years now. Most of the current fish I have, have been acquired over the last 6 months. In it I have (1) pleco 9 inches long, (1) Jack Dempsey about 6 inches long, (1) male Livingstonii about 4 inches w/ (2) females 3-3.5 long, (1) male Fuellborni 3.5 inches, (1) Male Ventustus 3.5 inches, (1) male peacock cichlid 2.5 inches w/ (1) female 2.5 inches, (2) red zebra cichlids sex unknown about 4 inches, and (1) M. Auratus female about 3 inches.

To this point I have never noticed any signs of breeding. What are the chances that my Peacocks or Livingstonii's will breed and is there anything I can do to encourage it?

 

[Lady_Alia]

You have a lot of nice fish there, but they shouldn't be in the same tank. You've got South Americans and Africans. Different water parameters and dietary needs.

 

[Mcass]

I have wondered about that the more I get into the hobby, however they all seem to be doing very well. I am surprised that their aggressiveness tends to be very mild with each other. As a matter of fact the least aggressive of the bunch is the one South American. "Jack" is the largest but actually tends to break up any aggressiveness shown by the Africans. I feed them a small amount several times a day, mainly flake, but also throw in shrimp pellets a couple times a week. I also throw some canned peas in every couple of weeks. I am definately open to dietary advice if anyone has some.

Also, concerning differing water conditions, while I have things set up for the Africans (all of their parameters I believe are VERY similar), the Jack Dempsey has actually lived in this tank longer than any of the others.

 

[Lady_Alia]

The aggression isn't so much the issue as the water/dietary needs. I'm sure there are much more qualified people than I to help you on this but I do know that Africans and SA like different water conditions and that while a jd needs the protein a red zebra is an algae eater. Can they live happily together? Sure! But I can't help but think they would be happier and certainly healthier given the optimum conditions.

All that said, I'm glad your fish are getting along. It's great having a Dom male that can keep everyone in line without having to fight them. I had a jd once and absolutely loved him and if I didn't have African tanks would get another jd in a heart beat!

Good luck with finding the info you need!

 

[Mcass]

I do appreciate the info. I have actually been thinking about getting a third tank (my other one is just a 30 gallon that I keep goldfish in). I will seriously look into the things you have mentioned once I get it. Thank you so much for your input.

 

[Lady_Alia]

No problem. We're all here for the fishies