How to Breed Ice Blue Zebra Cichlids

Ice blue zebra cichlids, also known as red top ice blues and blue malawis, among other names, are semi-aggressive blue fish with a bright red dorsal fin. They grow to about 5 inches long and require a relatively large tank. They can be kept with other fish, as long as the other fish are not the same size and color. These fish make an attractive addition to the aquarium. Breeding fish requires careful observation, but the challenge can prove rewarding.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeding aquarium
  • Aquarium sand
  • Aquarium plants
  • Aquarium structures
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the bottom of an aquarium to use specifically for breeding with several inches of aquarium sand.

    • 2

      Place aquarium plants or aquarium structures in the aquarium. Make sure these are large enough to give the female fish a place to hide if they are bullied by the males, which can sometimes occur before breeding.

    • 3

      Introduce a large group, about six to eight, of ice blue zebra cichlids to the aquarium. Include both males and females. Male ice blue zebra cichlids are brighter than their pale female counterparts are. Make sure there is enough space for all the fish to move comfortably. Overcrowding the fish leads to fights, not spawning.

    • 4

      Feed the fish two times a day. This feeding schedule may encourage the fish to breed.

    • 5

      Observe you fish's behavior. If your fish don't breed right away, it may be because there is an overly aggressive fish in the aquarium. Observe the fish to figure out if there are any aggressive ones, and if there are, remove that fish from the aquarium. However, don't mistake the breeding ritual of the fish for aggressive behavior.

    • 6

      Watch for the mating display of the male fish. It digs a hole in the sand at the bottom of the aquarium then extends its fins and chases the females around. It won't, however, go to the female to mate. Rather, it waits until one comes to him.

    • 7

      Wait for one of the females to develop eggs. You can tell one is carrying eggs because it looks slightly larger. The first female to develop eggs usually follows the male back to the hole it's dug in the sand.

    • 8

      Remove or separate the other fish in the aquarium from the breeding pair. Once a pair has decided to breed, other fish or breeding pairs can become aggressive.

    • 9

      Watch as the male and female ice blue zebra cichlids breed. They go through a complex routine, where the female lays eggs then picks them up in her mouth, and the male fertilizes them.

    • 10

      Don't disturb your fish tank while breeding is taking place. Don't feed the fish until the breeding is over. Leave the parents in the tank. They watch over the baby fish until they can swim on their own.