How to get south american cichlids to NOT hybridize?

[AnomalocarisAquatics]

I have a dream to fill my pond with all Parachromis species. I'm considering not including Doviis but besides that, I want everything. Jags, Yellow jackets, Motags, Loisellei, everything. But there's a problem, since these are all Parachromis species, there is a high chance they'll hybridize. Now personally, I think hybrid fish are pretty cool, but when there's breeding, there's always aggression. I don't want a pair of a jag and a motag to kill all the others. So besides only having males or only females, is there a way to have them not to hybridize?

 

[tlindsey]

there a way to have them not to hybridize?

The simple answer is don't mix them. No other way besides adding all the same sex.

 

[Deadeye]

Central American cichlids as a whole are great at hybridizing, and when they are all in the same genus it is even easier.
The other issue is that, all being so closely related, they will all see the other parachromis as a threat to be removed.
In this mix, you’ll probably see them start killing each other before they even breed.

I’d you’re looking for a cichlid community, get mbunas or South American cichlids (which don’t readily hybridize and are generally less aggressive).

 

[deeda]

Mbuna will also breed with other Mbuna species so not recommended to mix them.

 

[duanes]

In nature, you barely ever see two cichlid species of a a genus together.
It just isn't natural.
In nature when two species of a genus find each other together through some fluke, there are usually only one of two scenarios.
Either, one species wipes out the other, or they combine to form a new separate new more adaptive species.
For what you want, you need 5 separerate, large tanks, one for each species.

 

[RichD1011]

The question is: why do you only want parachromis species? its just asking for problems (aggression and hybrid breeding).

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

The question is: why do you only want parachromis species? its just asking for problems (aggression and hybrid breeding).

They are cool fish although they have their problems.

 

[AnomalocarisAquatics]

Thanks for all the info, I'll probably just buy 3 or 4 200 gallon tanks and place all the parachromis species in each of those tanks.