Adding fish to an established colony

[Gene D]

Tomorrow I will be moving my Red Rainbow colony into a bigger tank. I am considering adding more wild caught fish in the hope of increasing both breeding and genetic diversity.

Ideally I would like to add just females but don't think I can buy that way. Is it worth the risk of adding another male or two with two trios and upsetting the established colony or should I just leave things as they are?

Let me know what yall think.

[newb]

I would add more than 6 fish if your gonna add. I would go ahead and try to get at least 9 and maybe even 12 fish to add at once. and add them all during a water change when everybody is out of their comfort zone anyways. you could even vent the fish when they arrive and just add the females to your colony...and then just donate/sell the males to some of the other members tanks.

[Gene D]

Is there any risk of increased aggression among the established colony with adding females? I would hate to loose half a colony to aggression by introducing a few new females

[newb]

I havent experienced it...however, Im sure others might tell you that once a colony is comfortable...leave them alone. I personally think you would be fine. If aggression starts...take action.

[fshfrk]

If you are moving them to a new tank. Everyone will be on equall footing (hierarcy resets). No Problems.

[myjohnson]

If you are moving them to a new tank. Everyone will be on equall footing (hierarcy resets). No Problems.

Not all the time. EK had issues with his new langi even when he moved them from his house to the new apartment.

Ended up losing some of the new fish. It's like they remember for something.

I would still go no rocks and lights out to be on the safe side.

Each group acts differently, but the generally rule is to add as much as you can.

6 fish is kind of low.

How much you got total Gene?

[cichlid1409]

I originally got ~ 20 kachese then a couple months later added another 15. i changed the rocks around when adding and lights out for 24 hrs. still lost 2 due to aggression, about the same as when i got the first 20 .... take whatever you want out of this story just sharing my experience.

[TROPHS4LIFE]

same suggestions as thai and newb,tear down the tank,and try to add no less than 6,more like 12 would be a ton better,and try for nothing less than a 50/50 on the group your introducing,but again you never know,i let them sort it out.............every fish has is own specific temperment,sometimes theres nothing you can do..............honestly if it was me,id go for it,if i decide to keep my lufubu group,ill be doing the same thing,12 new wilds for my 20,actually my only group of wilds with no losses............my wild moliros i got 16,i have 9 left,id say 3 males takin out by the dom now,and its just him and his 8 girls.........he just recently took out what i think to be a real old girl,i know it was a girl,but i dont know the age lol,that couldnt take his manly wrath anymore lol,again it depends on the tank size where talkin also,if its not much than leave the group alone if its a decent size already...........if your jumping up 30ish gallons,increase the group..........if not leave it alone..........
just my thoughs
Chad