When do cichlids start breeding

There are some noteworthy examples of biparental care in diverse groups of fishes. Biparental has only been reported in one coral-reef species, a damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus family Pomacentridae. In this species, both parents will guard the eggs, wrigglers, and free-swimming fry. Many bullhead catfishes family Ictaluridae are also biparental.

For example, the black bullhead catfish Ameiurus melas will dig a tunnel into the floor of a lake, and the male and female go into the tunnel together to lay and care for eggs. After the young become free-swimming, the parents and offspring exit the tunnel, and both parents care for the young. So, how do cichlids fit into the picture? It is likely that parental care in cichlids evolved from this basic substrate guarding of eggs and nest, and has taken on some amazing new forms.

Interestingly, there are no substrate spawning cichlids with male-only care. It is likely that the high predation pressures experienced by most cichlids strongly selects for biparental care. Almost all biparental fishes are monogamous, but there are different forms of monogamy. Monogamy may consist of a pair staying together for a single spawning or for multiple spawnings. Many aquarists often find the same pair breeding with each other for several spawnings, often termed a pair bond.

The typical biparental cichlid is sequentially monogamous, meaning that a male and female will pair for a spawning, and for subsequent spawnings they may mate with the same partner or find a new one.

The question of what determines when an individual will stay with a current partner or find a new one has not been resolved. There are numerous cichlids that are sequentially monogamous and biparental, one of which is a cichlid we all know and love, the convict cichlid Cryptoheros Archocentrus nigrofasciatus. The extent to which this occurs in the wild remains to be shown. In biparental cichlids, a male and female will court and eventually pair. The pair will then search for a suitable spawning habitat a flower pot in aquaria; in the wild, a cave formed by stacked rocks or tree roots.

The pair will guard the eggs, wrigglers, and fry. The female typically fans the eggs and the male guards the site from intruders, which are often other cichlids looking for food, or ubiquitous predators such as tetras.

When the eggs hatch, the female will take any straggler eggs into her mouth and break the egg case so the offspring hatches at the same time as its brothers and sisters. The hatchlings will be moved by mouth to a pit the parents dug before the eggs were laid. While the hatchlings are in these pits the female will stay close by guarding them, and the male guards the surrounding area. Periodically the pair will move the wrigglers to a different pit.

Once the offspring start swimming the parents actively defend the swarm as it moves slowly along the bottom of the tank or river. Parents will also actively feed the offspring by pushing their bodies against the substrate and quickly moving their fins to stir up the sand and release microbes and algae for eating.

A parent, typically the female, may also grab the edge of a leaf with her mouth and turn it over to expose the food morsels on the other side. Eventually the offspring will disperse. There does not appear to be a set age or size at which the offspring leave their parents. Some cichlids take feeding the offspring to an extreme. For example, in many large Central American cichlids, the offspring eat nutritious mucous from the bodies of the parents.

The parents produce this mucous specifically for the fry to feed on, and it even contains growth hormone. In the most extreme case, in wild discus, genus Symphysodon, the fry will not survive without eating parental mucous. There are also some interesting species that do things slightly differently. In general, letting the female go to term is the best choice. The first thing you need to do before mating your cichlids is to ensure that your cichlids have reached sexual maturity.

If the females are not big enough, it does not matter how much the male shakes, she is not going to mate with him. If, however, your females are big enough, there are several things you can do to entice them to mate. Mouth brooders typically mate on a flat, clean rock. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide them will several of these. They also prefer them to be in secluded areas of the tank so try to match this condition as well. Many cichlids cannot resist mating after a water change.

Lower the water and let the filter splash into it for minutes. Then refill the aquarium will water that is slightly cooler than the tank water degree F. This simulates a rain and your cichlids will often start mating right away. Provide them with somewhat clean water. While cichlids tend not to be too picky i. Therefore, keep your aquarium clean with regular water changes and vacuuming.

Mouth brooding African cichlids are fascinating to watch -- the extreme care the mother gives to her fry is nothing short of noble and her dedication in most cases is quite a spectacle.

Even though the process is exciting, it can be a little tricky -- many new moms may swallow their fry on accident. Do not be discouraged -- after several attempts, most will catch on. Also the typical size for the first couple of hatching is , but with maturity, the female will soon start having 30 or so fry per hatching. Breeding Freshwater Fish. Breeding the Two Kinds of Betta Fish. You may be aware that there are over 30 species of betta fish in existence but did you know that these species can be divided by their breeding habits?

If so, consider cutting back one feeding a day and how long you feed the fish. For example, cut back to 20 second feedings 3 times a day to see if that helps. You can even cut down to one quality feedings a day if necessary. Use high quality foods and increase proteins with foods like spirulina.

Observe breeding. If a female Malawi cichlid follows her male to his nest, then they will begin the breeding process. You can easily observe this by watching for the pair to continuously circle around one another, head to tail. Be aware the male and female Malawi cichlids may stop every half circle so that the female can collect fertilized eggs in her mouth and the male can fertilize laid eggs.

After the pair has mated the female will have a mouthful of eggs. Her throat will be distended and her face will look square like. Part 3. Allow the female to rest. Once the Malawis have bred, the female will need some rest to allow the eggs to develop in her mouth. Not disturbing her for 5 days should be sufficient time for the female to rest.

Be aware that she may not eat during this period. This is especially true if you choose to not remove the male from the tank. Likewise, you can also put the female in a separate tank. Remember to disturb her as little as possible because she may spit out the eggs or even swallow them. Look for the female to release the fry. A female Malawi cichlid will hold her fertilized eggs in her mouth for about 21 days.

At this point, she will begin to release the fry, or baby fish, from her mouth into the hiding spots or tank. Be aware that it may take a couple of days for the female to release the fry into the water.

Recognize that Malawi cichlids have relatively small batches of eggs—only You may see anywhere from fry, depending on their survival rate. Don't be surprised if the female takes the fry into her mouth several times.

The females will eventually abandon their fry, and it's important for the young fish to have hiding spots.

Feed the fry. Your fry will need nutritious food to develop into healthy Malawi cichlids. There are a number of different nutritious foods you can feed Malawi cichlid fry.

You can also watch if they're eating enough of their food by watching their bodies with a magnifying glass. You can feed your fry the following foods to promote growth: Brine shrimp Daphnia Microworms Grindal worms The fry are large and well developed, so infusoria is too small for them. Some may survive if they stay well hidden in the rocks. Not Helpful 0 Helpful Do I have to separate them or can I just leave them to it if there are hiding spots? I have been successful and have never separated any fish.

Usually, if they are not separated, they will find their own corners to finish the process in. Not Helpful 5 Helpful When the fry are bigger than the mouths of the adult fish, then they can be introduced into the main tank.

Make sure there are many hiding places for the young, because Malawis are territorial, especially to newcomers. Not Helpful 2 Helpful Just feed them as per normal. They do not need a lot of attention and sometimes that might even cause stress. Take care of them just like how you normally take care of your fish and feed them their usual flakes or pellets and give them nutritious treats such as brine shrimp every once a while.

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4. African cichlids actually brood through their mouths but do not eat hatched eggs. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9. Usually when fully developed -- maybe about months old. Then will take about a month for the eggs to hatch. Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6.

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