Breeding A Cichlid Fish
Breeding cichlid fish is not as hard as it seems. It may require practice on the part of the breeder as well as the presence of various tools, but the end result is almost always worth it. It is important to note however that cichlid breeding is not something that should be done on a whim. Like humans, breeders should take careful note of the species they breed to ensure that the resulting fry will be healthy. That being said, following are some of the requirements for breeding cichlid.
Tank
There are different types of cichlid fish in term of breeding. There are the open-breeders that refer to cichlid that lay their eggs out in the open, either on plants, sand or perhaps on the rocks. The eggs usually clump together and can easily be spotted by an experienced breeder.
Another type is the sheltered breeder. These are the cichlids that find safe locations to breed their young, either in caves or inside their mouth. There are also situations when the cichlid burrows on the sand and lays the eggs there. Ideally, breeders should be able to pinpoint exactly what type of breeder their cichlid is and arrange their tank accordingly. This means providing more caves for the shelter-breeders and more plants for the open-breeders.
Water
The water’s pH level as well as rate of flow is crucial, especially for open breeders. This is because there’s a strong chance that the flowing motion of the water will drag away the eggs, effectively cutting off the breeding process. Ideally, water changes in the tank should be done about once a week to maintain quality. As for the pH level, it should be mostly alkaline, ranging from 7.5 to 8.5 depending on the specie of the fish.
Temperature
Breeding cichlid fish successfully require specific temperature ranging from 76 degrees Celsius to 78 degrees Celsius. The temperature not only helps with hatching the eggs but also help the fry grow faster and better. Note that any lower will render the breeding process useless so it is crucial to invest in a high-quality heater. Note that in order to induce mating between cichlids, the temperature in the tank must also be higher than usual.
Diet
Now more than ever, cichlid feeding must be closely monitored while they are breeding. Some fish types are carnivores while others prefer plants. Hence, it is important to combine either of those two together with a regular diet of pellets and flakes.
Behavior
Cichlids are naturally but become even more so during the breeding period. It is likely that the will attack other fish types that go near their fry. This is why in some cases; breeders opt to keep a separate tank just for their breeding needs. This also makes it easier to maintain a specific environment without disturbing the other cichlids.
Breeding cichlid fish is almost an art form and requires constant practice. Hence, don’t expect a successful breed the first time as the females are still getting used to the idea. Be patient and soon enough, a healthy batch of fry will result.
