CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I have a cichlid tank that is several years old. Recently we found a BABY in ther be accident and har grown to quite some size now. One fish in particular is staying under a log, being very teritorial and will not come out. It is locking lips with one of the other fish and then shaking vigoursly. Is this mating? Will it lay eggs soon? If so what will they look like and what should I do? HELP is badly needed here!!!!

It is locking lips with one of the other fish and then shaking vigoursly. Is this mating?

sounds like it

Will it lay eggs soon? If so what will they look like

Good eggs will look like little yellow or amber balls - depends on the species how they'll exactly look.

Bad/infertile eggs will be bright white.

what should I do

Depends on
what species?
what else is in the tank?
if you actually want babies or not?

will the eggs be laid where I can't see them? How big are they? How long will it take she has been under the log for a day or two now?

will the eggs be laid where I can't see them? How big are they? How long will it take she has been under the log for a day or two now?

Again it depends on what species?

Some cichlids spawn on flat rocks , some spawn in caves,holes ,etc..
Some pickup their eggs as soon as the lay them and incubate them in their mouth.

Some lay eggs within hours of starting breeding behavior. Some "spawn" for days before laying.


There are thousands of different types of cichlids so theres not a real anwser that fits a "cichlid" breeding question

THis is the fish in question!!!

from what I can see it looks like an african , mouthbrooder.
(maybe a zebra)


So the female will pick the eggs up within minutes of laying them and the male fertilizeing them and hatch them in her mouth. There will be no nest or eggs to see unless you see them actually spawning.

Expect to see babies 19 -21 days after she gets them in her mouth.



Thats about all I can tell you , some of the others here are more familiar with africans (old world cichlids) and probally give you more info if you need it.


I keep mostly new world cichlids and only have a little experiance with old worlds .



Typed a quick response earlier - (in case it come out rude) but if your new to the hobby

Honestly "cichlid" doesn't help people know what your looking for -
oscars,convicts,zebras,frontosa, red devils,angelfish,discus , etc... all breed differently - some make nests - some nest on plants - some need groups,some need pairs and so on .... but they're all cichlids

good luck with the babies

THis morning when I looked at my tank I now have the male and female under the log. I was wondering how long I will have to wait after today to look for babies?