First attempt at hybrids, have questions

[scarecrow1f9]

I'm not new to breeding, but I am somewhat new to breeding CA's, and completely new to breeding hybrid.

While waiting for a pair of Midas and a pair of RTM, I'm attempting to breed my 13" Male vieja synspilum, and a 7" female JD.

I put the two in just 2 days ago, the tank is a bare 140 with a few flat stones and a nook for the female to hide if things get hairy. I've started the temp at 78, and plan on increasing it a degree a day until ~83ish.

Granted, these fish aren't strangers, they've been tanked together for awhile in my 240 with several other random tank mates. But their behavior in this new tank isn't what I'm used to seeing in this situation. They are utterly ignoring one another, living happily. They are acting much like a cichlid would with a pleco... just couldn't care less that the other is there at all. No acknowledgement, positive or negative.

I know it's very early, but I'm wondering if the drastic size difference may keep this from happening... and also how long someone experienced with hybrid breeding would wait before pulling the plug on the idea.

I've never attempted to breed either of these fish, with anything.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[gutted]

Synspilum's are tough to pair up, even with their own kind. I'd say let them be for a few weeks and if nothing changes swap one of them out and try something else.

 

[Azedenkae]

Add target fish, especially those that competes with both the cichlids. This can allow the Syn and JD to have a 'common' enemy and therefore form a bond together, eventually pairing up and spawning.

What sort of surfaces have you prepared for them? Flower pots? Stones? Slates?

 

[scarecrow1f9]

just slates at this point, would you suggest something different?

Also, what would you suggest for target fish? Thanks very much for the help guys

 

[ErnieG]

Both species are open substrate spawners so the flat slates and rocks you have are fine, put in a few giant danios that should do the trick. Sometimes smaller tanks should be used to hybrid that way they will notice eachother, the tank you have them in is fairly big for just those two. Try a 90gal that would be a perfect size for that pair.

 

[Azedenkae]

I normally use africans. They're cichlids and do have some similar behaviour that will engage the pair's attention, but you won't be afraid of them hybridizing. Use the smaller, more placid species.