How To Breed Cichlids – What Is Mouthbrooding?

Cichlids are such interesting fish to have in an aquarium. There are two main groups of Cichlids; mouth-brooding cichlids and Substrate-spawning cichlids.

Mouthbrooding cichlids

This particular group of cichlids pick up their fertilised eggs and secure them in the mouth until the young are big enought to start swimming and exploring the waters. Some mouthbrooding cichlids protect their young by placing babies back into the mouth if in danger. The only downside to this group of ccichlids is that fewer eggs are spawned.

Substrate-spawning cichlids

This group of cichlids, lay eggs on rocks or in the ground. Both the male and female fish keep cleaning and protecting eggs until the young are hatched. Some cichlids are even known to help their fry out of the eggs when they hatch. Some fry die trapped inside the egg. The female cares for the fry and the male protects the fry and territory. The fry is usually protected until the adults are ready to breed again. Usually the breeding site is the same as before. occasionally the siblings care for each other.

How to breed rainbow cichlids (Herotilapia Multispinosa)

Rainbow cichlids are peaceful fish to keep in a tank among a community of other fish at a similar size. They start breeding when they are around 3 inches long. They love to nibble on live food as well as pellet food. If you notice your rainbow cichlids cleaning stones and rocks etc, it may mean that they are preparing a spawning area. Similar to Angel fish, the female cichlids will lay a row of eggs. The male follows and fertilises before defending the territory while the female keeps up with the cleaning, removing algae and debris from the eggs and area.

Aquarium Setup for breeding Rainbow Cichlids

1. Plants: Amazon Swards, Jungle Vallisneria
2. organisms: Algae
3. Water condition: 24°C–27°C (75–80°F), 100ppm+, pH 7+
4. Extra: Amazon swords

Rainbow Cichlids Facts

1. Males are usually larger than their female counterparts as well as being more pointed.
2. Adults care for their fry until they are ready to spawn again.

How to breed Zebra cichlids (Metriaclima Zebra)

This fish is way more aggressive than the rainbow cichlids. It’s wise to breed zebra cichlids in their own tank. 1 male and a few females create the ultimate environment. Zebra cichlids are mouthbrooding, this means that the female takes the eggs into her mouth and broods until the fry start swimming. The mum cares for her fry for a further 7 days.

Aquarium Setup for breeding Zebra cichlids

1. Plants: Amazon Swards, Jungle Vallisneria
2. organisms: Algae
3. Water condition: 26°C (79°F), 200 ppm, pH 8.3
4. Extra: Rock/slate structure

Tips

1. These fish eat live food as well as fish pellets.
2. The males have white spots on their anal fin.