Chances of getting a pair..

[tomahawk]

What could be my chances of getting a pair formed if I have only 4 semi-adult Discus in my tank ? I have 8 now, but the tank iz getting crowded, so im planning to reduce by 50%..

[MFG]

this is a probability question.

the chance of all 4 being male or female is
0.5x0.5x0.5x0.5=0.0625=6.25%

Hence, 100-6.25 = 93.75% chance that you will not get all 4 of the same sex. Although the Probabilty is high but things still do happen. In most reading, you will see pple asking to get 6 fish to get a pair. with 6 fish-> you up your Prob to 98%

PS: Prob(one fish is male or female) = 0.5

Regards
MFG

[MFG]

i should add that,

in fact, i have 7 discus in a 4 ft tank. to my surprise, i have 3 pairs breeding at the same time now.

My point is.... ... this is all pure luck.

regards
MFG Scott