I'm hoping to gain some insight into some odd behaviour I have been noticing with my cacatuoides. I have a trio which is now about 16-18 months old and in good health. They produce fry regularly which are eventually picked off by their tankmates. (I have no desire to keep the fry)
ttmale will lay on or near the bottom, fins clamped, motionless and very dark in colour. It scared the heck out of me the first few times I witnessed it! I have since come to the conclusion that it is related to courtship. He only does this with one of his females very close by and she exhibits similar, but not as drastic behaviour. They sometimes will do this for long periods of time and then will quickly revert to normal colouration and behaviour. It seems to me that this only occurs when he is attempting to gain the acceptance of the subordinate of his two females. Perhaps she is shy and he needs to be more gentle in his advances? He seems to have no trouble with the dominant female who is always yellow and constantly flirting with him. She is definitely the aggressor in their relationship and produces fry like clockwork. (A rather beautiful example IMHO who exhibits some male colouration)
Any insight into what is going on would really be appreciated.
ttmale will lay on or near the bottom, fins clamped, motionless and very dark in colour. It scared the heck out of me the first few times I witnessed it! I have since come to the conclusion that it is related to courtship. He only does this with one of his females very close by and she exhibits similar, but not as drastic behaviour. They sometimes will do this for long periods of time and then will quickly revert to normal colouration and behaviour. It seems to me that this only occurs when he is attempting to gain the acceptance of the subordinate of his two females. Perhaps she is shy and he needs to be more gentle in his advances? He seems to have no trouble with the dominant female who is always yellow and constantly flirting with him. She is definitely the aggressor in their relationship and produces fry like clockwork. (A rather beautiful example IMHO who exhibits some male colouration)
Any insight into what is going on would really be appreciated.