How to Be Successful With Cichlid Breeding
Cichlids are tropical fish, originally from Africa and South America.
They are from the Cichlidae family and it is said that there are over 1300 different species, varying in size from 1in to 3ft long.
For successful cichlid breeding there are a few points to keep in mind.
Cichlid breeders need to follow some basic rules so that their fish will be happy and healthy and want to breed.
The first and probably most obvious point is that the aquarium has to be kept clean and well maintained; the water should be changed and treated on a regular basis.
It is a good idea to invest in a good water filter to remove bacteria from the water and also a heater to help keep the temperature of the water stable.
Cichlids have organised and interesting breeding activities.
There are three main categories of ways cichlids breed; these are cave brooding, open brooding and mouth brooding.
Some species of cichlids spawn their eggs secretly into caves, crevices and holes; these cichlids are called cave brooders.
It is therefore important that you have rocks etc in the tank that the fish can use to hide.
Open brooding cichlids, such as angelfish, lay their eggs in places out in the open like rocks, ledges, plants etc.
Looking after the eggs in open breeding is usually a joint effort between the male and female.
The male will ward off intruders, while the female looks after the eggs by ensuring they are covered with water and also separating the infertile eggs.
Mouth brooding is the method most common to the cichlids, the cichlid will lay the eggs and then take them into their mouth, they often mouth brood free swimming fry for several weeks.
It is important that the fish have a balanced diet and they are not overfed, fish that are a bit hungrier are more likely to mate.
Cichlid breeding can be fun and very rewarding if you are prepared to spend the time maintaining the quality of the fish's environment, so remember, giving your Cichlid's a balanced diet and never neglecting the fish's environment is detrimental to having success in breeding Cichlids.
They are from the Cichlidae family and it is said that there are over 1300 different species, varying in size from 1in to 3ft long.
For successful cichlid breeding there are a few points to keep in mind.
Cichlid breeders need to follow some basic rules so that their fish will be happy and healthy and want to breed.
The first and probably most obvious point is that the aquarium has to be kept clean and well maintained; the water should be changed and treated on a regular basis.
It is a good idea to invest in a good water filter to remove bacteria from the water and also a heater to help keep the temperature of the water stable.
Cichlids have organised and interesting breeding activities.
There are three main categories of ways cichlids breed; these are cave brooding, open brooding and mouth brooding.
Some species of cichlids spawn their eggs secretly into caves, crevices and holes; these cichlids are called cave brooders.
It is therefore important that you have rocks etc in the tank that the fish can use to hide.
Open brooding cichlids, such as angelfish, lay their eggs in places out in the open like rocks, ledges, plants etc.
Looking after the eggs in open breeding is usually a joint effort between the male and female.
The male will ward off intruders, while the female looks after the eggs by ensuring they are covered with water and also separating the infertile eggs.
Mouth brooding is the method most common to the cichlids, the cichlid will lay the eggs and then take them into their mouth, they often mouth brood free swimming fry for several weeks.
It is important that the fish have a balanced diet and they are not overfed, fish that are a bit hungrier are more likely to mate.
Cichlid breeding can be fun and very rewarding if you are prepared to spend the time maintaining the quality of the fish's environment, so remember, giving your Cichlid's a balanced diet and never neglecting the fish's environment is detrimental to having success in breeding Cichlids.