Cichlid breeding can be quite an interesting process to see. You can see the different behaviour and distinctive colour changes in these fish during the time of cichlid breeding which is quite a fascinating show. The breeding process of cichlids allows for you to see the way these beautiful fish lay their eggs, protect them, and then care for them.
There are different types of breeders in the cichlids based on which you can decide how to best help these fish with breeding.
The different types of cichlid breeding can be classified as below:
1. Open Brooders - As the name suggests, these types of Cichlids are open brooders where they lay their eggs in open places. The places these fishes choose are leaves of the water plants, stones and gravels in the aquarium or at any other open places they can find. The cichlids that are known as open brooders are the Angel fish, Discus fish and German blue ram. These open brooders can lay up to ten thousand eggs at a time, and the mother cichlids are quite protective of their young. The female cichlid uses its fins as a fan to provide the eggs with enough oxygen supply, while the male cichlid protects the eggs.
2. Mouth Brooders - Mouth brooders are those types of fish that hold their eggs in the mouth till the eggs hatch. This is very protective behaviour of these cichlid fish as the very purpose of having the eggs in the mouth is to protect them from other fish who feed on fish eggs. The Cichlids like the African Cichlids lay their eggs out in the open area and then when the eggs hatch take it in their mouth to protect the larva. This behaviour is common with the female cichlids.
3. Cave Brooders - Cave brooders are those Cichlids that lay their eggs in areas that are covered. Areas like caves or hidden areas which remain are covered enough to the keep the eggs away from the other predatory fish are a common place to lay eggs for these cave brooders. The Kribensis and the convict cichlids are few of the examples of cave brooding Cichlids.
Cichlid breeding is influenced by different environmental factors that can affect the chances of breeding. It is usual for the cichlids to not successfully breed the first time. The physical factors of a cichlid female are often one of the main causes of the disability of breeding. Also different environmental factors like the temperature of water, the cleanliness of the water and the fish tank are also important. The inexperienced cichlid female would not be able to take care of the eggs till they hatch in the first instance, which is one of the other reasons why breeding is not successful the first time.
The cichlid parents are very protective of their eggs and will make sure that they take all the precautions necessary to protect their fry. You would find the female either holding the fry in the mouth or around the eggs all the time and the males too swim around the area to protect its territory. It is also important that you have plenty of females around for the male cichlids so that there is no competition between the males for females. You should be patient for your cichlid to breed as it is just about the right time that a cichlid needs to breed
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