African Cichlid Breeding
- Thread starter KiemRaekerm
- Start date
The tank size and filtration really depend on the type of cichlid that you are interested in breeding.
Most of the cichlids love to dig, so sand would really be best, altho some have reported no problems using really fine gravel. But you will end up paying lots more for gravel when you can get 50lbs of sand at Lowes for $2.50.
Most all of africans are wonderfull parents, with several different methods of breeding, and rearing there own fry. Some are substrate spawners, while other are mouth brooders. With so many unique behavors, almost as there are cichlids, you will have a hard time picking out the one you want!
Do you already have a tank that you will be putting them in? There are many more possibilities in larger tanks, but there are still several that can be accomplished in the smaller tanks (>10 gallons) as well.
Most of the cichlids love to dig, so sand would really be best, altho some have reported no problems using really fine gravel. But you will end up paying lots more for gravel when you can get 50lbs of sand at Lowes for $2.50.
Most all of africans are wonderfull parents, with several different methods of breeding, and rearing there own fry. Some are substrate spawners, while other are mouth brooders. With so many unique behavors, almost as there are cichlids, you will have a hard time picking out the one you want!
Do you already have a tank that you will be putting them in? There are many more possibilities in larger tanks, but there are still several that can be accomplished in the smaller tanks (>10 gallons) as well.
A 10 gallon would be out of the question for pecocks. They are harem breeders, and normaly require anywhere from 3-5 females for every male in the same tank. I wouldnt try it in any thing less than 55 gallons. Each fish gets around 5-6in when grown, so you can see a 10 gallon would really be too small.
The only african cichlid that you could breed would be some of the shell dwellers from Lake Tankanyika. These adorable small fish live in shells, and most males will attain the size of around 2in, with females a little smaller. Neolamprologus multifasciatus, and Neolamprologus brevis are two great shellies, and could make a nice home in a 10 gallon. Both of these cichlids lay eggs inside the shell, and the young are raised in the shell and directly around it. Like most african cichlids however, despite there size they are teritorial and should be kept as a species tank in a 10 gallon.
The larger the tank you can provide, the more options you would have as to what species you can keep and breed.
The only african cichlid that you could breed would be some of the shell dwellers from Lake Tankanyika. These adorable small fish live in shells, and most males will attain the size of around 2in, with females a little smaller. Neolamprologus multifasciatus, and Neolamprologus brevis are two great shellies, and could make a nice home in a 10 gallon. Both of these cichlids lay eggs inside the shell, and the young are raised in the shell and directly around it. Like most african cichlids however, despite there size they are teritorial and should be kept as a species tank in a 10 gallon.
The larger the tank you can provide, the more options you would have as to what species you can keep and breed.
if anyone above mentioned this I apologise but when breeding african cichlids you'll get best results when starting with a harem of 2M/4-6F and then separating them into breeding groups as they mature.
it is possible to breed 1M/1F or 1M/2F but then the females tend to get worn out and your fry will not survive (experience talking).
it is possible to breed 1M/1F or 1M/2F but then the females tend to get worn out and your fry will not survive (experience talking).