Crossing cichlids

[Knife_Punch]

So, I have been reading a lot about people that are breeding hybrid fish... I was wondering if Africans are capable of creating hybrids?

Aslo, how do I get my South Americans to cross? Will they do it on their own? Which are the easiest to cross, other than the Red Devil and Gold Severum?

Thank you,

Chris

[Peanut_Power]

Almost all cichlids are capable of crossbreedin with another type of cichlid....Africans more so than others though...;)

[kav138]

Gosh, africans constantly crossbreed it seems

[e!o!z!]

Red devils are crossed with midas all the time in fact hard to find pure Midas in the lfs anymore. Red Devil cross with alot of different species. The best way is to two two species togeather and see if they will breed.

[Mourinho18]

hybrids are lame, personal opinion is all. Don't think you should promote more hybrids out there since the market is already flooded with them.

[Peanut_Power]

Heck, I'll take hybrids if the look kewl. Some flower horns are REALLY pimp! And that Red Texas I got was AWESOME! Shoot...if i EVER saw a hybrid pike, which i can almost garuntee I nor anyone else ever will...i would definately buy it!

[Ornatapinnis]

Most African cichlids will cross with each other but, in my opinion, this is a major part of the reason that quality of african cichlids are hard to find. It is getting really hard to find nice Pseudotropheus & Melanochromis species that look like they are supposed to. Many of these fish show traits of several differant fish. Their colors are lousy, many females have egg spots on thier anal fin, lots of odd shapes now, they don't get a big as the are supposed to. (I could go on for a while here...) Alunocara (peacocks) is all screwed up, several of the varietys being sold don't exist in the wild (how many differant jacofrebergi are available now?) You know that "peach Zebra" being sold in many shops? THat probibly use to be the "Red Zebra" just all pale from non selective breeding. Years ago the common old red zebra was a cool fish, THe females were brilliant bright orange and the males were solid blue, now they suck. I realise that hybreds have thier merrits but I believe that the irresponcipal cross breeding has ruined the quality of many african cichlids.

Joel

[Taz2478]

Heck, I'll take hybrids if the look kewl. Some flower horns are REALLY pimp! And that Red Texas I got was AWESOME! Shoot...if i EVER saw a hybrid pike, which i can almost garuntee I nor anyone else ever will...i would definately buy it!

me and a friend tried a while back but of course they just faught so either they were 2 males, 2 females or just didnt like each other. More likely the last.

Best way Ive found to cross is to get a divider and see what happens. if they flare and try to attack then NO but if they start kind of rubing together like attracting attention the pull the divider.

Africans are easier since its easier to tell the sexes cause of color instead of a hump or fins.

[Knife_Punch]

I totally understand and appreciate your opinion, do know that my intent with cross breeding isnt to sell, I will keep my fish, I also wanted to begin a scientific jounal, plotting and trying to determine the result and outcome of the off spring..

I dont feel that, that would be an irresponsible manner..

Chris

[Mourinho18]

whatever floats your boat man. I want to try to get my hands on some caquetaia kraussi, and eventhough I wouldnt want to to mix with my spectabile, I think those two mixed together could look pretty cool.

[MaJiKTeRRoR]

Don't you guys think that maybe some of these species cross breed on there own in the wild? And that maybe some of these fish that we seek are actually the offspring of 2 completely different fish?

[rweedon]

Most African cichlids will cross with each other but, in my opinion, this is a major part of the reason that quality of african cichlids are hard to find. It is getting really hard to find nice Pseudotropheus & Melanochromis species that look like they are supposed to. Many of these fish show traits of several differant fish. Their colors are lousy, many females have egg spots on thier anal fin, lots of odd shapes now, they don't get a big as the are supposed to. (I could go on for a while here...) Alunocara (peacocks) is all screwed up, several of the varietys being sold don't exist in the wild (how many differant jacofrebergi are available now?) You know that "peach Zebra" being sold in many shops? THat probibly use to be the "Red Zebra" just all pale from non selective breeding. Years ago the common old red zebra was a cool fish, THe females were brilliant bright orange and the males were solid blue, now they suck. I realise that hybreds have thier merrits but I believe that the irresponcipal cross breeding has ruined the quality of many african cichlids.

Joel
I am so glad that somebody said it! I have no problems with hybrids like the parrot cichlids and the flowerhorn because it seems to me that it is controlled and is not hurting the quality of the parent fish... but with africans it seems that everybody that keeps them hybridizes them and then inbreeds them decreasing the quality of the fish...

[bboy]

Has anyone seen a Managuense crossed a Dovii? I know that both are
in the Parachromis family; but I think that would be a nice looking fish.


BBOY :)

[nomadofthehills]

I think the dovii would kill the mang before that happened... but I guess anything is possible.