*Opinion* Best Cichlid for Parental Behavior.

[remme]

I have kept all sizes and manner of cichlids in my day; from community tanks to solo “wet-pets”. The one thing I have always been interested in is breeding/parental behavior of this genre of fish. Now, I have had Angelfish breed and Convicts breed but never a large cichlid before. I am in the process of setting up a space dedicated to an aquarium and I was wondering the experts opinions on what large cichlid (12”+) would be the best for observing parenting behaviors. Also, the room allotted is 8’x10’ with about a 52”x 86” area for an aquarium. I was thinking of a 7x2x2 (possibly wider front to back) rectangular tank but have come across some larger-ish corner systems (42”-48” sides, 50”+ front to back in the center; approximately 150-170 gallons) that have peaked my interest. Out of the specimens you suggest, which tank environment do you think would be best for the pair long term; a rectangular tank with space to swim horizontally or a corner aquarium thats deep with a larger centralized footprint?

The three possible candidates that I was already considering are: Nandopsis Haitiensis (Haitian/ Black Nasty), Parachromis Managuensis (Jaguar Cichlid), or, if room allows, Kronoheros Umbriferus (Umbee/Blue Freckled Monster), which are all species I have kept prior but as single specimens.

Id also be open to the larger Madagascar or African cichlids suggestions; again single species.

Thank you in advance.

 

[troublesum]

IMO i would go with the 7X2X2 and i would say the black nasty's another fish that would work and are pretty easy to breed would be Dovii.
I'm not sure about tank size for a breeding pair, would be the African Emperor and i'm also not sure about breeding habits or care for fry, I just want someone to start a thread about the Emperor Cichlid.
There is another Madagascar Cichlid thats on my bucket list is the Pin Stripe Damba duanes he has kept them in the past

 

[duanes]

I have kept and had many spawn in my tanks a number of times.,
exceptions would be Bouengerochromis and umrifeum, because ai never had enough space.

All great to keep and spawn, although finding homes for fry can be a challemge.
Even in the vicinity of Milwaukee/Chicago, I had a hard time giving fry away for free.
And Madagascans are another fantastic fish to keep and breed

The P menerambo get quite large, mine hit over 16"
And P maculatus spawned in a 400 gal kiddy pool.

 

[Beani keeper]

Mesoheros beani are excellent parents and very active and and absolute treat to keep. Another option would be Andinoacara Stalsburgi if you can find them. Rare and beautiful. I once had a pair for a very short time and lost them but they would be another good choice. I would choose a species that people want so your not stuck with tank fulls of fry.

 

[danotaylor]

The majority of rift valley African cichlids need to be kept in colony’s, and as such predation from other adults in the group upon fry & juvies requires them being removed.
Tropheus are almost an exception but males in the colony will eat the young fry.
African riverine species are more akin to the substrate spawning species of SA, CA & Madagascar in the sense that pairs can work well. I don’t know of any large riverine species to suggest though.

 

[puffers4puffers]

IMHO
P. managuensis
I had a pair that lived with 4 turtles.
They would spawn and force the turtles to the other side of the tank!
I still have one of the turtles, she will be 30 years old this fall