can you have too many females for your male?

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I have 8 rubescens peacocks that I got last November. Since then only one has colored up and all the rest are female. They are all about 3.5 inches. I would like to encourage some breeding but can you have too many females for the male? What's an average peacock ratio?

[Ron]

I have 8 rubescens peacocks that I got last November. Since then only one has colored up and all the rest are female. They are all about 3.5 inches. I would like to encourage some breeding but can you have too many females for the male?

IMO you can't have too many, but at a point you probably don't "need" anymore (which would depend on conditions - tank size, fish purpose, tankmates, etc).

I've noticed when some of the larger breeders/distributors move out breeding groups it's typically 1-2 males and 8-12+ females.

Another observation, from a breeder perspective the females are worth more than the males, while to a hobbyist, a colored-up male carries the higher price tag.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

Could it be beneficial to add a male? Could that in turn promote a dominant and sub-dominant male and maybe get some spawning action?

[four_by_ken]

Could it be beneficial to add a male? Could that in turn promote a dominant and sub-dominant male and maybe get some spawning action?

That's exactly what I did.

[Super Turtleman]

Are you positive the rest are all females?

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I'm no expert by any means but he's the only one with longer fin shape while all the fins on the others are shorter and more rounded.

[Super Turtleman]

Just because they're not colored up doesn't mean they're females. If you remove the male, another one should step up to take his place...if he's there.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

will there fin shape change as well as color if they become dominant? they male has fins that are a bit longer and more pointed at the tip rather than a bit more rounded. im going to post some pictures when i get a chance to see if that helps

[lilscoots]

Subdominant males will attempt to remain in female coloration/fin shape as long as possible to avoid excess aggression from the dominant male, at some point they won't be able to hide it completely.  Try removing the male and see if someone else colors up.

[Super Turtleman]

will there fin shape change as well as color if they become dominant? they male has fins that are a bit longer and more pointed at the tip rather than a bit more rounded. im going to post some pictures when i get a chance to see if that helps

I'm not an expert so can't definitively say about the fin shape, but if you remove the male you should have your answer in a day or two. 

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

i always thought it was just color that dulled, i had no idea fin shape could change as well. i was looking at them today and there are two others that may be suspected as undercover males. they have a very slight bit of color behind their gills and are a little larger than all the other females.  i havent taken any pictures yet cuz ive been busy and my tank is due for a cleaning.

[Regalblue]

Try removing the male and see if someone else colors up.

+1 this is the way I like to coax them out of hiding

[four_by_ken]

I've never heard of fin shape changing.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I don't think they are saying the fins change, they just don't fully develop while the dominant male is around. If you remove the dominant male then another male should color up and his fins will fully grow out...

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I don't think they are saying the fins change, they just don't fully develop while the dominant male is around. If you remove the dominant male then another male should color up and his fins will fully grow out...

well that makes more sense than me thinking fins change. i learn something new almost every time i get on here.