First time breeder

[FrazzleRock5]

I've been really interested in attempting to breed cichlids but I have a few questions first.

Are there any specifics that I need to do to the tank or water first to induce breeding or do most cichlids do it automatically? (I am wanting to breed S american cichlids, not sure what kind yet)

Also, how do you find a mating pair? Do you just have to buy a lot of the same kind initially to see if any of them will pair up? and if so, can i just take the other fish back?

Once I have frye, what do people usually do with them? sell them, keep them, give them away, etc?

It all seems very fun and exciting, but I am about as uneducated about this subject as I am rocket science.

If you have any input, it would be greatly appreciated.

[LuckyCricketMafia]

Also, how do you find a mating pair? Do you just have to buy a lot of the same kind initially to see if any of them will pair up? and if so, can i just take the other fish back?


You usually start with a few 6 or so quality juveniles and wait for a pair. You have to ask the store if they will take them back for store credit.




Once I have frye, what do people usually do with them? sell them, keep them, give them away, etc?



It depends on what you have, I regularly see free convict and Jack Dempsey fry on craigslist. I give away what little JD fry survive my firemouths.

[FrazzleRock5]

Ok thank you for your help

[JD man]

I'm just starting out, but right now I have my first group of fry. I have Jack Dempsey cichlids. I have a 75 gallon tank. I went to the petstore and bought 4 juveniles in June that were about 2in. I put 4 flower pots in the tank as well as put some fake plants, and small gravel. After awhile two of them started hanging out together in the same pot, and chaseing the other two around. About two or three weeks ago they both turned almost black, and there was almost always one of them in the pot. Just about 5 days ago I couldn't find my female, so I looked in the pot, and there were little black dots with little tails. They had had them in the pot, and were now pretecting them. That's as far as I've gotten so far. Hope this might help.