Nanoluteus Breeding Behavior And Water Changes??

So, this is a bit of a newbie question but I've never really had to deal with breeding fish before, so here I am. I've also had a lot going on in my personal life so right now, this little situation seems a bit daunting. I tried to get a picture but alas, they won't cooperate.

So I have a few nanoluteus who are about a year old now, and I'm pretty sure I'm about due for the "birds and the bees" talk (or would it be "snails and the shrimp"?). I've noticed some rearranging of the sand to create recessed bumps, and while the other nanos are looking not as vibrant, there is one female who is suuuper yellow. Where they all usually have blue eyes, she currently has a black mask and black eyes, and from what I can tell, these are breeding colors. So far it is just her, and she seems to be "nesting" towards the back of the tank. She's kind of attempting to chase the others away, but they seem really curious about what she's doing and keep clamoring to investigate.

I don't really have plans to actively breed. Really, I'm not ready to be a grandma, and I'm ok with nature taking it's course and circle of life and all. Either way, I don't want to stress her or the others out, but her little holes seem to be the perfect place for waste to accumulate. How do you go about water changes/ vacuuming during this time? Do you just mess up their plans? Politely avoid like they're snarky teens? I just ordered some real driftwood, too, and was planning on re-scaping the tank but clearly the fishkids have plans on their own. I guess I should take it as a good sign that they may be feeling good enough to get frisky, but right now it's kinda freaking me out.

 

Giving this a bump up for you

 

They want a tight cave to spawn in, with a small opening and a low ceiling, though they will accept slightly larger caves. If the female has a cave, she won't come out at all when she has eggs. is there a male coloring up? he won't be quite as intense as the female, but he will have brighter colors than the others.

Here's a couple of pictures to help:

Mama with wigglers



Showing color before breeding


Pair in spawning mode, male in back

 

There is one male, the largest, that has nice color, but I had assumed he just matured faster than the others. He and the female in question look very much like your 2nd pic. Currently, I don't have any caves, but she is rearranging the sand wherever there is a cranny. My profile pic is my tank now- there is a rock behind the fake driftwood and the rocks and plants (attached to lava rock) are positioned in a way that they can hide behind them and in corners. I have the heaters and driftwood placed in such a way that the tightest spaces are along the back, which is now being claimed by the female. I wanted to give them hiding spots without having territory disputes, but now they all want to be where she is.

I'm planning on rearranging the tank and I am currently boiling water for real driftwood as we speak. I'm looking into possible DIY cave ideas that will go with the zebra rock, or I may have to buy more. I'm not really intending to breed them, but I think the time has come to make some adjustments before anyone gets cranky.

I have 3 females and 4 males. Had ordered 6 fish, and got a bonus one that must've sneaked past the breeder (and evaded my head count for the first few weeks). I assume I would need a minimum of 3 cave areas? And, if they are getting frisky, is it safe to vacuum while they are getting settled? I don't really want babies but I don't want to stress them out by interrupting anything.

 

Yellow Convicts are a very popular fish when people see what they look like as adults. They are relatively small and not at all as aggressive as regular Convicts, but not pushovers. I have an old male in the 125, and while he is the smallest fish in there at 3.5 inches, he doesn't take guff from the much bigger Heros that are in there.

the female will dig underneath a rock to make her cave if she has to. That's why there's so much digging. She could already have a cave and you just can't see it.

 

Yellow Convicts are a very popular fish when people see what they look like as adults. They are relatively small and not at all as aggressive as regular Convicts, but not pushovers. I have an old male in the 125, and while he is the smallest fish in there at 3.5 inches, he doesn't take guff from the much bigger Heros that are in there.

the female will dig underneath a rock to make her cave if she has to. That's why there's so much digging. She could already have a cave and you just can't see it.

I've been trying to peek and I think you're right- she's almost got a space under a piece of lava rock that is hosting a java fern. I'm partly thrilled and partly nervous lol. Is it bad to disrupt her while she's nesting?? I'm due for a water change and I was hoping to rearrange the tank, although I could let the driftwood soak for longer.

 

That's up to you. It won't mess her up too bad if you decide to change things up. I woudn't put off the water change, but you may wish to wait on the rearranging for a week or two.

 

That's up to you. It won't mess her up too bad if you decide to change things up. I woudn't put off the water change, but you may wish to wait on the rearranging for a week or two.

Thanks. I guess I'll just have to be patient and let the wood soak more. Note to self- do not fill plastic tote full of hot water in the middle of your kitchen floor. Was convenient to take hot water off the stove and right in the bin but I now have regrets. On the upside, that section of wood floor got a nice, steamy cleaning.