Breeding Frequency

[Mbuniac]

How often can mbuna breed? My Yellow Lab mated with my female Red Zebra. The fry showed up around the 5th of April. They've been at it again and she's holding eggs after only two weeks???
Thx, Sam

[SGypsyMermaid]

as long as the female's current egg supply holds out, she probably just needs enough time between clutches to get her weight back up before she can spawn again. i think that after the eggs are exhausted, there's a lull until she can produce another batch of eggs.

[Mbuniac]

Thanks Gypsy! I was afraid this was gonna go on forever. By the way, I still have 2 of those "Electric Yellow Red Zebras" that I'll sell you cheap!
Sam

[SGypsyMermaid]

sure...i'll trade you a couple of "melanochromis kennyi" for them.:D :shock:

[Mbuniac]

:jaw: Good Lord!
That's like crossing a tiger with with a crocodile!

[SGypsyMermaid]

:D yeah, and they tried a hostile takeover in my mbuna tank!

[Mbuniac]

With a combination like that I bet they could accomplish it! Do you Know what you get when you cross an elephant with a rhino?

[SGypsyMermaid]

no, what?

[Mbuniac]

elephino?

[SGypsyMermaid]

ohhhhhh, brotherrrr.......

[Mbuniac]

:D

[Tony]

Mbuniac : Please make sure your new mixed cichlid is not sold back to any lfs. They are a big problem to other fish lovers who want pure strains of a species of cichlid. A lot of lfs owners do not care about certain things, so please keep them to your self. Enjoy them but do not release them. If you want to slow down the breeding cycle cool down your tank. good luck..... Tony.

[Mbuniac]

That's why I leave 'em in the tank. They make good snacks.

[Tony]

Mbuniac : Great to hear, most people allways want to grow out their fry . they get attached and do not have a proper perspective on the topic. Glad to hear you do. Cheers..... Tony.

[Mbuniac]

I have a seperate 20 gal. nursery tank when I'm 100% positive that they're purebred. However, I am slowly but surely approaching an all male tank and in theory that will no longer be a problem. That is unless I add a pair of male San Francisco Loaches:)

[Tony]

I have had an all male cichlid tank. Always had to add more and more rocks or pipes too much fighting.In the end the biggest bully chases too much. Sold them all back to my lfs for something else. cheers..... Tony.

[Mbuniac]

Actually, I have had just the opposite experience. The fewer pairs and trios I have the fewer problems, as long as none of the males are the same species. When my fish were mating the tank was in constant turmoil. Now it's controlled chaos.