Breeding of Cichlid Fish

Cichlids are a class of freshwater fish that are known for their aggression and relatively large sizes. These fish include oscars, African cichlids, red Texas cichlids, and numerous others. They are typically prolific breeders, but the breeding styles will be different for each type of fish. Some are mouth brooders that keep their eggs in their mouth, some lay their eggs on the roof of caves, while others simply lay them on flat rocks. The breeding parameters, like water temperature and gestation periods, will be different for each type of cichlid, but there are some general instructions useful for breeding.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeding tank
  • Aquarium filter
  • Gravel and decor
  • Aquarium heater
  • Planting pot
  • Slate rock
  • Fry tank (10 gallons)
  • Air stone
  • 1/4" airline tubing
  • Air pump
  • Nylon net
  • Liquid fry food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the breeding tank. It should include 2 inches of gravel, dechlorinated freshwater, an appropriate filter and heater. The size of the tank will depend on the size of the cichlids. Two oscars (large) will need a 30-gallon tank while smaller cichlids, like red Texas, may only need a 20-gallon tank.

    • 2

      Set the temperature to the mid-70s degrees Fahrenheit using the aquarium heater. The exact temperature range will vary according to the type of cichlid, but 70-75 is typically appropriate.

    • 3

      Place a planting pot in the gravel on its side. This will provide a "cave" for cichlids that lay their eggs on cave roofs. Lay several pieces of flat slate around for cichlids that lay their eggs on flat surfaces.

    • 4

      Allow the water to cycle in the tank for two days to ensure that it is clean and healthy, then introduce the breeding pair. The breeding pair should be selected from a breeder to ensure that they are appropriately sexed.

    • 5

      Wait for the animals to spawn. This could take several days to several weeks. Males will typically begin nudging females when the process begins. Feed the cichlids a diet of rich, meaty foods to help induce copulation.

    • 6

      Wait for the eggs to hatch after they have been laid. This usually only takes a few days. You can find the eggs either on the planting pot roof, on the slate, or in the mouth of the female.

    • 7

      Set up the fry tank. This should be a 10-gallon tank with that is aerated with an air stone attached to an air pump via 1/4 inch airline tubing. You should never use a filter on a fry tank, as it could suck up and kill the delicate babies.

    • 8

      Transfer the fry to the fry tank with a nylon net once they hatch. Feed them a diet of liquid fry food for several weeks until they are large enough to eat crushed flakes. They will be ready to move on to their own larger tanks when they reach around an inch in length.