Dither Fish and Target Fish

By Jared Waites

Below are the definitions from Google as of 2008, by typing “define:Dither fish”, or “define:Target fish”.

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So to keep this short and simple here it is in layman’s terms. When breeding tropical fish, you sometimes encounter problems such as shyness, skittishness, and aggression. This not only occurs during breeding, but when they are pairing off as well. In order to successfully breed some Cichlids, or other fairly agressive fish, a Dither or Target fish is added.

Convicts, normally make excellent Dithers because they just don’t care...what I mean by this is that they are just crazy little fish, and are very hardy fish. When selecting a Dither, its wise to make sure where they feed, and what they feed on. What I mean is, you should be sure that your fish can successfully ward off the Dithers without actually harming the Dither, yet while they are doing so, you don’t have a Dither invade the spawning site and eat all the eggs, or fry. Normally scavenger fish, do a great job at polishing off a spawning site. These types of fish include, any gravel pickers, Chinese Algae Eaters, some Plecostomus, and even some Giant Danio’s have been known to clean out a spawn site.

Caution is taken when adding more than one Dither, as they can indeed work together in raiding a spawning site!

You should also think twice, before introducing the same species to a pair. What I mean by that is, if you for say have two shy fish of the same species breeding, you shouldn’t add another of the same species as a Dither, unless your willing to lose one…or maybe…your pair!

Normally fish of the same species are used, when using Target fish. But I’ve heard of Silver Dollars, as well as other fish being used, that are quick movers. While using a Target fish, your fish that are paired up and trying to breed, are taking the aggression that comes with breeding, towards the odd man out, the Target fish. This enables them to breed without beating up on each other…instead they are beating up on another fish. A large tank is recommended, with plenty of hiding spots. A cave, a log, a bunch of taller grass plants…anything to shield the Target fish from being harmed.

So what we have learned throughout this article is that, Dithers and Targets are in fact two different things…but at the same time, they are just about the same.

Good Dithers and/or Target fish.
Convicts (Make sure they are equal size to the pair)
Barbs (Tiger and Tinfoil)
Silver Dollars
Mollies (For less aggressive species)
Tetras
Rasbora

There are plenty of other Dither/Target fish, that aren’t listed here…a lot of fish breeding has to do with experimentation.

Good luck breeding!