Young Nicaragua Cichlids Pairing?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

tomahawk

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 2, 2012
72
1
8
Connecticut
I recently acquired three juvenile Nicaragua Cichlids - about 2 inches long. After growing them out to 3 inches, I moved them into my 92 gallon bowfront. They are the smallest fish in the tank but large enough not to be lunch! Anyway, the female has developed stunning coloration - unlike many CA Cichilds, female nics are more colorful than the males. Along with the coloration, she has started to challenge one of the males, who stands his ground and then chases away the other male. Once I am convinced that they have paired, I will remove the remaining male or remove the pair to a breeding tank.

Does anyone know at what length they are sexually mature?

Here are some pictures of the two pairing nics. The female has a lot of turquoise on the face and dorsal fin; the male's stripe has started to fade and his dorsal fin is spotted.

DSC_0219.JPGDSC_0328.JPGDSC_0321.JPG

DSC_0219.JPG

DSC_0328.JPG

DSC_0321.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: tokenTANKguy
If they're anything like convicts or rainbow cichlids, they'll start spawning small. All my female rainbows went into spawning mode around 2". I don't have much experience with CAs but the ones I've kept spawned pretty early on.
 
Thanks much!

I also have a pair of Geophagus Brasiliensis (aka Pearl Cichlid) which didn't spawn until 4-5 inches - that's why I was asking. They were already paired when I acquired them. Watching the Nics go through their courting ritual is very cool.
 
tomahawk said:
I recently acquired three juvenile Nicaragua Cichlids - about 2 inches long. After growing them out to 3 inches, I moved them into my 92 gallon bowfront. They are the smallest fish in the tank but large enough not to be lunch! Anyway, the female has developed stunning coloration - unlike many CA Cichilds, female nics are more colorful than the males. Along with the coloration, she has started to challenge one of the males, who stands his ground and then chases away the other male. Once I am convinced that they have paired, I will remove the remaining male or remove the pair to a breeding tank.

Does anyone know at what length they are sexually mature?

Here are some pictures of the two pairing nics. The female has a lot of turquoise on the face and dorsal fin; the male's stripe has started to fade and his dorsal fin is spotted.

View attachment 850195View attachment 850197View attachment 850200

View attachment 850195

View attachment 850197

View attachment 850200
Click to expand...

SO I just had fry from my pair of nicaragua cichlids . So how long did it take you to grow them out the inch since you have gotten these fish
 
I checked the date on the phot, and the eggs were put down mid April

around the end of May they looked like this

Try to feed about 5 small feedings per day, and change at least 30% of the tanks water every other day to remove nitrate, and any growth inhibiting pheromones produced by large shoals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom