*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

 

[justintheodd]

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

I feel you, I have a convict pair that used to live with my RES(IK that was ill advised but they are seperated now) and when the convicts spawned they would drive my turtle to the other end of the tank. Spawning agression scares me sometimes

 

[jjohnwm]

Just about any cichlid is impressive to watch when you have a pair protecting their spawn, but IMHO the most impressive and touching display takes place when you have a large community tank with large fish...cichlids or otherwise...in which a pair of small cichlids like Firemouths or Convicts or Rainbows manages to raise a brood of young while protecting them from the much larger inhabitants of the tank. Watching the parents face off against other fish that are much larger than they are, cooperatively driving them away from the developing eggs and fry, is just about the ultimate in fish breeding excitement. If the tank has a few areas of decor that provide shelter for the smaller cichlids (both parents and fry) then usually at least some of the fry survive to the point of being independent of the adults, at which time the adults will begin to prepare for another spawn.

In order for this to be enjoyable, the aquarist needs to accept the fact that most of the fry will be eaten at some point. If a small number reaches maturity, it should be considered a bonus. If you are the sort of aquarist who absolutely must have every egg produce a saleable young fish, then this method is definitely not for you.

 

[troublesum]

I had a pair of Jewel cichlids who breed every 2 weeks almost every WC. I had to move to my 125 with 5 Festae that ranged in size from 4in to 6in, now a 4in Festae juvi VS a 4in jewel adult the Festae are still thicker and taller, but i was amazed the jewels kept the Festae away out of 200 fry i think only 5-6 made it to be juvis.
I didnt care about the fry as i already had hundreds in another grow out tank. As jjohnwm said it is a sight to watch a little fish like a jewel defend eggs/fry from bigger Festae

 

[puffers4puffers]

I feel you, I have a convict pair that used to live with my RES(IK that was ill advised but they are seperated now) and when the convicts spawned they would drive my turtle to the other end of the tank. Spawning agression scares me sometimes

You are right to be scared
They will bite!
My sw clownfish draw blood sometimes....from me!