Here is a hypothetical: Dovii x Convict Cichlid hybrid.
I know, I know, these are very different fish that will never get along. Again, this is just hypothetical.
I just read a thread on cichlid crossbreeding, and it sounds like almost all Central American cichlids are genetically similar enough to produce offspring. This got me thinking, because I find Dovii fascinating but their large size and abundant aggression deters many (including myself) from getting them. I own a pair of convicts specifically because they are less aggressive than many other cichlids, are easy to care for, don't reach a large size, and are quite easy to breed. I pose this question: would it be possible to trick a Dovii into fertilizing convict eggs or vice-versa? I'm imagining potential scenarios in which robust dividers and pairs of each fish are used. If a person has a few pairs of convicts, there would almost always be a spawning female so the real trick would be getting her eggs close enough to a clutch of Dovii eggs that they are accidentally fertilized by the Dovii male. Given that this is hypothetical, I don't want to spend too much time theorizing on how it would be done.
Instead, I'm more curious at whether it's even possible and I'd like theories on what the potential offspring could be like.
I'd hope that some examples could be produced in which you get the strengths of both parents. The intelligence and personality of the Dovii. The calmer temperament of the convicts. The resulting fish would hopefully max out at a much smaller size than a Dovii. Both have quite interesting coloration, but having never attempted hybridization I'm not sure if anyone can predict the end result.
Of course, some offspring could end up just nasty monsters. The body size of a Dovii but lacking the keen intelligence, still possessing the predatory instincts. This could be a disastrous combination!
I know, I know, these are very different fish that will never get along. Again, this is just hypothetical.
I just read a thread on cichlid crossbreeding, and it sounds like almost all Central American cichlids are genetically similar enough to produce offspring. This got me thinking, because I find Dovii fascinating but their large size and abundant aggression deters many (including myself) from getting them. I own a pair of convicts specifically because they are less aggressive than many other cichlids, are easy to care for, don't reach a large size, and are quite easy to breed. I pose this question: would it be possible to trick a Dovii into fertilizing convict eggs or vice-versa? I'm imagining potential scenarios in which robust dividers and pairs of each fish are used. If a person has a few pairs of convicts, there would almost always be a spawning female so the real trick would be getting her eggs close enough to a clutch of Dovii eggs that they are accidentally fertilized by the Dovii male. Given that this is hypothetical, I don't want to spend too much time theorizing on how it would be done.
Instead, I'm more curious at whether it's even possible and I'd like theories on what the potential offspring could be like.
I'd hope that some examples could be produced in which you get the strengths of both parents. The intelligence and personality of the Dovii. The calmer temperament of the convicts. The resulting fish would hopefully max out at a much smaller size than a Dovii. Both have quite interesting coloration, but having never attempted hybridization I'm not sure if anyone can predict the end result.
Of course, some offspring could end up just nasty monsters. The body size of a Dovii but lacking the keen intelligence, still possessing the predatory instincts. This could be a disastrous combination!
