Breeding Cichlids

[milo]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and thought I would post this concern I have. Right now I have a 55 gallon african set up. My current occupants are 2 male ps. saulosi's and 1 female ps. saulosi. I also have 1 wild caught male msobo, 1 wild caught female msobo, and 2 female msobos. Also in the tank is 1 pleco, and 1 red tail shark (don't ask, its my husbands and can't get rid of the shark).

Anyways, my female ps. saulosi has become pregnant a few times but always spits out her eggs within a few days. I have since picked up a "holding" tank for her, for the next time she becomes pregnant. It is a 10 gallon (i hope it isn't to small) and am basically hoping to have her in there the next time she becomes pregnant. It is currently cycling. I have filled it up half way with the water from my current tank and the rest have put in regular tap water, so it may already be done cycling.

My question is this, should I place the female saulosi in the holding tank now to fatten her up and then either introduce her back into the 55 gallon, or should I have the male scoulousi moved into the 10 gallon as a "breeding tank" with the female or should I leave her until she becomes pregnant again and then move her into the holding tank. And, if i do remove her to the other tank (before or after she is holding) will this affect the chances of her carrying until the fry is developed?

Thanks everyone.

attached is a pic of my setup

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n241/cgillard_2006/IMG_2252.jpg

[Melody]

:Welcome: Nice tank! Are you sure the males are old enough to spawn? The eggs might not be fertilized.

As to the best breeding set-up, I have my ponderings, thoughts, opinions and best guesses, none of which are based on experience...lol....so I'll leave that to our Cichlid-inclined members.

Good luck!

[milo]

Hi Melody,

I am not sure if they are even mature enough to spawn, All i know is that they have started to. Where can i find research as to see if they are old enough? The salousi's are about 6 months old now, and the msobo's are around the age of 4 months to 6 months. the wild caughts I am not sure, they are just smaller then the salousi's.

Thank you for the comment on the tank set up, it took me and my husband a long time to get it just right. I am hoping that there is going to be enough crevices for the fry when they are old enough.

[Melody]

According to what I read, when they turn blue & black they are reaching sexual maturity and I see blue & black in there....lol. I'm sure our Cichlid fans will be able to help you much better than I.:yes:

[milo]

thanks melody, i think they are starting to get to maturity, they are pretty big in size.

[BC_Kron]

Sometimes it takes the females some practice to get it right. When they are young they tend to spit their eggs, simply because they are not experienced. The next time you see the female holding eggs, net her and place her in the holding tank. I like to use the water from the original tank, to ease the stress. Make sure there is lots of cover so she feels safe. Keep the water clean and keep an eye on her.She probably won't eat anything, so she'll get quite thin. I like to strip the fry from the females, after 14 -16 days, (put fry in a breeder box, floating in holding tank) and let the female regain some weight before returning her to the community. Feed the fry newly hatched brine and microworms, and they should grow fast.

Good Luck!

[milo]

Hi BC_Kron,

Thanks for all the advice, I am going to wait until she is showing signs that she is holding, right now I am feeding them pretty good so she can hold out for the 3 weeks that she will be holding. Once she shows signs i'll place her into the holding tank and hopefully things will work out.

Thanks again ;)

[amaruq]

No experience or advice...just wanted to say COOL! tank!

[milo]

Hi Amaruq,

Thank you, I was going for a species tank of Msobo's, but unfortunatly it didn't work out that way. I am still happy with the layout and the species that I have though.

[CACAdmin]

Definitely a beautiful tank and fish... makes we wish I had room to have cichlids.

[milo]

Wow, thanks CACAdmin. I am surprised no one commented on how dirty the water was. I had just finished a water changed and removed the filter media to clean it.

[ChrissyFishy]

I love how the rocks are set up!!! I am always afraid to do that in case it falls :wideeyed: Is there a way to prevent that?

[corrosionjerry]

Do you have any fish in the 10 gallon to start the cycle ? Or are you doing a fishless cycle with amonia ? Your 10 Gallon will not be cycled unless you do one of these two things as putting in water from your 55 will not do it... You could take some media from your 55 filter and start the cycle that way keeping in mind you will need a fish in it at all times to keep up the cycle... In anycase I recomend the fishless cycle as it is doesnt involve torturing any fish to cycle the tank...

Nice tank....

[Melody]

If the tank is seeded with filter media and/or a handful of established gravel, ornaments, etc, the tank parameters won't spike. Adding a fish, snail or whatever feeds the beneficial bacteria so it can multipy as the tank load increases. Then the fishies don't suffer. I've even put full loads onto a seeded tank without a spike, although I don't recommend that and I did test the whole time just in case.

The problem with cycling with ammonia is you don't get all of the beneficial bacteria that you need to deal with solid waste (just ammonia), so it's a bit more risky in regards to mini-cycles after the fact. A the very least, the system won't be in full operation for several weeks after the ammonia cycle, leaving it somewhat unstable/unbalanced/delicate. By using the filter media or gravel/mulm, you introduce the bacteria that deals with solid waste (heterotrophic bacteria).:smile:

[corrosionjerry]

I agree Melody.... One more thing that can be done if the tank is needed quickly is to jam it full of plants.................

[Melody]

I forgot about plants, probably because I am so good at killing them which does not help the cycle at all :rolleyes: . Wonderful things for a cycling tank otherwise though!