Cichlid breeding?

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liljosh609

Aquarium Advice Activist
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May 14, 2011
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I have 8 African cichlids in my 55 and I was wondering if they can breed with each other even though they are different colors? Ex: blue cobalt and blue acei
Thanks
 
Yes, potentially they can breed with each other. Theoretically, all lake malawi cichlids are capable of inter-breeding because they are genetically very closely related.

The likelihood of that occurring depends on a number of variables with perhaps gender ratio being the primary variable. If each species is represented by both genders (preferably in 'harems') the likelihood of interbreeding is decreased considerably (but, theoretically, never eliminated).
 
Okay. Well I can't tell if they are male or female. I heard you can look at their bottom fin and if it's pointed, it's a guy, if round, it's a girl. Is that true? And most them are different species. I have a blue acei, blue cobalt, brown assorted, bumblebee, electric blue, auratus, and a jewel. Which one should I get duplicates of that would be the easiest to breed? Thanks
 
Mbuna's are prolific and generally easy to breed if the conditions are right. I've never owned jewel cichlids and know nothing of their breeding habits. (the jewel is not a lake malawi cichlid so it's not possible for it to breed with the other fish you have).

I can't tell if they are male or female. I heard you can look at their bottom fin and if it's pointed, it's a guy, if round, it's a girl. Is that true?

If they're small juvies (2.5" and smaller) it will be hard to determine gender. However at least two dimorphic species in among your group (the bumblebee and auratus), the males undergo color transitions at some point so eventually their genders will be revealed.

With some species the shape of the anal and dorsal fin tips (pointed-male or rounded-female) as well as the proportional size of the pectoral fins (larger=male)can suggest gender. This is more evident among matured specimens than smaller one's. Fins can suggest gender, not verify gender.

Two socolofi juvies of undeterminate gender due to small size and immaturity:
img_1702843_0_686d31462db55e1a63fb84cf08a70983.jpg


Two larger matured socolofi's, male (left)/female (right), note fin shape differences even with this monomorphic species
img_1702843_1_e0a42569615653803566950c3a10c69f.jpg


While bumblebee's are among the largest of mbuna species and might be better off (in the long run) in a bigger tank if considering increasing their quantity in the tank, which species you should get more of, that's up to personal preference.

You could start with the acei's (maybe add 4-6 more). They're the least aggressive of the group and are monomorphic and keeping multiple males usually isn't much of an issue (until they surpass 5" but they'll be breeding way before that). Increasing their numbers would be of some benefit from the aggression-control standpoint based on what their tank mates are, though some may say acei's are better off in a larger tank due to their swimming habits and ultimate size.
 
Wow. Thanks for all if the input. I don't know if I can put that many more fish in my tank, do you think I'll be fine if I just do like 1 or 2, since I know the blue acei is a male because his dorsal fin is turning white.
 
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