How to Breed African Cichlid Fish

African cichlids are principally mouth-brooders. The eggs of these interesting and attractive freshwater fish are incubated in the mouth of one of the parents, typically the female. Females that are brooding eggs are best removed to a dedicated rearing tank, as their fry will be eaten by other fish in the community aquarium once they leave the protection of their mother's mouth. African cichlids can be successfully bred by aquarists who are prepared to obtain breeding colonies and separate the incubating females.

Things You'll Need

  • Freshwater aquarium
  • Numerous rocks and shells
  • High-quality spirulina flake food
  • Earthworms
  • 10-gallon rearing aquarium
  • Large shells
  • Aquarium heater
  • Sponge filter
  • Short piece of air tubing
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place numerous rocks and shells in the aquarium. Arrange some of the rocks in a way that forms small caves.

    • 2

      Purchase a male and two to three female African cichlids. The best way to tell them apart is by checking the vent, located above the anal opening; the vent of female fish is larger than that of males. Such a group is termed a breeding colony or harem. Multiple females are required to prevent the male from harassing a single female, which could lead to her death.

    • 3

      Feed the harem spirulina flakes and supplement this diet with diced earthworm three times a week.

    • 4

      Observe the male performing a mating dance in front of the female fish.

    • 5

      Watch the female releasing her eggs and placing them in her mouth. The female will be drawn toward the egg-like markings on the anal fin of the male and when she attempts to collect these "egg spots," the male fertilizes the eggs in her mouth by releasing milt into the water.

    • 6

      Place one or two large shells into a 10-gallon aquarium and fill the tank with water from the main aquarium.

    • 7

      Set an aquarium heater to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and place it into the aquarium.

    • 8

      Place a sponge filter into the aquarium.

    • 9

      Remove the female after her eggs have been fertilized and place her in the small aquarium. Watch her for a three- to five-week period, during which time the eggs are developing in her mouth.

    • 10

      Crush two or three aquarium flakes into a fine powder and mix this with water. Draw this mixture into a piece of aquarium tubing and release the food into your rearing aquarium once you see the fry swimming around the face of the female.

    • 11

      Leave the female for two or three weeks to regain her strength and then return her to the main aquarium.