Best setup for cichlid breeding? - Aquarium Advice

Leader of Men · 02-05-2008, 09:05 PM

What would you guys recommend for a 55 gallon tank setup for cichlid breeding? What filters, lights, heaters, etc.

Right now we're thinking a sand bottom tank with a bunch of rocks stacked with plenty of caves made out. Then a few live plants to go with that, but things that are pretty hearty so the cichlids don't tear them up.

What would you guys recommend?

Also, is there a really good guide anyone knows of for cichlid breeding?

Thanks!

mattrox · 02-06-2008, 09:11 AM

I would probably breed dwarf cichlids, kribs or apisto's come to mind.... Some rocks caves or terracotta pots.

If you are going for ARLCs then you need different conditions.... 1 male to 2 or 3 females.

Which cichlids are you interested in breeding?

Leader of Men · 02-06-2008, 12:00 PM

I'm not entirely sure what type because I'm not sure what the differences are. I know there are mouth-brooders, cavity-brooders, and open-brooders and I understand the differences in each of these. But I don't really know what type of cichlid breeds has which breeding method. Or which method is easiest.

I'm sorry I don't know what ARLCs are.

Texas,Guy · 02-06-2008, 01:39 PM

If I remenber right ARLC stands for african reef lake ciclids, for a frist time breder one of the best is IMO kribs or the apistogramma speices. The Apistogramma cockato triple reds or the pandro are very easy to keep and bred. I've bred both for yrs and made a few bucks from my LFS from the fry.

Leader of Men · 02-06-2008, 08:57 PM

Ah, ok, thanks!

Is it a good idea to buy a paired set of cichlids to start out? Will any of the fry pair or is that unlikely?

mattrox · 02-07-2008, 08:11 AM

Do an internet search for all the information you can find on Dwarf cichlids.

Kribs for example will pair up and IME form quite a strong bond.

Apistogramma species have different requirements.

Rams have the reputation of being quite sensitive/finicky about their enviornmental (tank) conditions.

When you have found the fish you like, it is easier to set the tank up correctly and get specific advice.

Leader of Men · 02-08-2008, 01:19 PM

So they form pairs fairly easily it would seem?

It would be a lot cheaper to buy a group of cichlids than buying already paired cichlids.

mattrox · 02-08-2008, 08:25 PM

If you go for Rams or apistos, buy a male and several females.....

Kribs may be paired up at the lfs. If not, I'd buy 1 male krib and and 3 females, let them pair up and then return the others if you want. You might be able to get 2 pairs in a 55, but when they spawn and have fry they can get very territorial. YMMV

Leader of Men · 02-08-2008, 08:34 PM

We would likely have a secondary tank, if we had two tanks would it be ok to move one set to the other tank if they breed at the same time?

Or would that be bad even if only one had fry at a time?

If that's the case, could we move the breeding fish or the non-breeding fish to the other tank until they're friendly again?

mattrox · 02-08-2008, 08:48 PM

I saw your other post about breeding peacocks. If you go for them, you can move the 'holding' female to another tank to let her spit out the fry and recover for a few days.

The advice above was for dwarf cichlids.

Cichlid-Forum.com

02-05-2008, 09:05 PM	#1
Leader of Men Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shakopee, MN Posts: 129 Images: 2	Best setup for cichlid breeding? What would you guys recommend for a 55 gallon tank setup for cichlid breeding? What filters, lights, heaters, etc. Right now we're thinking a sand bottom tank with a bunch of rocks stacked with plenty of caves made out. Then a few live plants to go with that, but things that are pretty hearty so the cichlids don't tear them up. What would you guys recommend? Also, is there a really good guide anyone knows of for cichlid breeding? Thanks!

02-08-2008, 08:48 PM	#10
mattrox Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 1,328 Images: 36	I saw your other post about breeding peacocks. If you go for them, you can move the 'holding' female to another tank to let her spit out the fry and recover for a few days. The advice above was for dwarf cichlids. Cichlid-Forum.com Last edited by mattrox; 02-08-2008 at 08:57 PM.

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02-06-2008, 09:11 AM	#2
mattrox Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 1,328 Images: 36	I would probably breed dwarf cichlids, kribs or apisto's come to mind.... Some rocks caves or terracotta pots. If you are going for ARLCs then you need different conditions.... 1 male to 2 or 3 females. Which cichlids are you interested in breeding?

02-06-2008, 12:00 PM	#3
Leader of Men Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shakopee, MN Posts: 129 Images: 2	I'm not entirely sure what type because I'm not sure what the differences are. I know there are mouth-brooders, cavity-brooders, and open-brooders and I understand the differences in each of these. But I don't really know what type of cichlid breeds has which breeding method. Or which method is easiest. I'm sorry I don't know what ARLCs are.

02-06-2008, 01:39 PM	#4
Texas,Guy Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 31	If I remenber right ARLC stands for african reef lake ciclids, for a frist time breder one of the best is IMO kribs or the apistogramma speices. The Apistogramma cockato triple reds or the pandro are very easy to keep and bred. I've bred both for yrs and made a few bucks from my LFS from the fry.

02-06-2008, 08:57 PM	#5
Leader of Men Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shakopee, MN Posts: 129 Images: 2	Ah, ok, thanks! Is it a good idea to buy a paired set of cichlids to start out? Will any of the fry pair or is that unlikely?

02-07-2008, 08:11 AM	#6
mattrox Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 1,328 Images: 36	Do an internet search for all the information you can find on Dwarf cichlids. Kribs for example will pair up and IME form quite a strong bond. Apistogramma species have different requirements. Rams have the reputation of being quite sensitive/finicky about their enviornmental (tank) conditions. When you have found the fish you like, it is easier to set the tank up correctly and get specific advice.

02-08-2008, 01:19 PM	#7
Leader of Men Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shakopee, MN Posts: 129 Images: 2	So they form pairs fairly easily it would seem? It would be a lot cheaper to buy a group of cichlids than buying already paired cichlids.

02-08-2008, 08:25 PM	#8
mattrox Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 1,328 Images: 36	If you go for Rams or apistos, buy a male and several females..... Kribs may be paired up at the lfs. If not, I'd buy 1 male krib and and 3 females, let them pair up and then return the others if you want. You might be able to get 2 pairs in a 55, but when they spawn and have fry they can get very territorial. YMMV

02-08-2008, 08:34 PM	#9
Leader of Men Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shakopee, MN Posts: 129 Images: 2	We would likely have a secondary tank, if we had two tanks would it be ok to move one set to the other tank if they breed at the same time? Or would that be bad even if only one had fry at a time? If that's the case, could we move the breeding fish or the non-breeding fish to the other tank until they're friendly again?