G. balzanii spawned last night

[aussieman57]

Was watching the tube last night & noticed the male dancing around with 2 females. Kinda ignored it as I have not had them that long. Sorry for the subpar pics but most of the eggs look fertile with a few white unfertilized ones in the mix. Will be letting nature takes its' course to allow the females to become better parents.

 

[tlindsey]

Congrats!!!

 

[aussieman57]

Update. The eggs from female in pic #3 are gone. Likely infertile and she has abandoned the spot. Eggs from female in pics 1 & 2 have become nice and dark and are fertile. She is still being a good mama.

 

[aussieman57]

Well it appears I was wrong. Both females are carrying eggs in their mouths. The male is now courting the one female he has not spawned with. Prolific little guy.

 

[aussieman57]

Well, watched "Henry's" (that's what the wife calls the male) 3rd female prepare her rock today and they are spawning as we speak. I would video it but they are somewhat skittish and I don't want to disrupt the spawning process. Fun to watch. So it looks like all 3 females will be carrying. Henry & his harem. LOL

 

[getmethatgeoplease]

What temps do you have them at to promote breeding?

 

[aussieman57]

What temps do you have them at to promote breeding?

The current temp in tank is 74-75 degrees. The driftwood, rock and plant placement in the tank is situated to providing "shaded" areas. They prefer (for me) to spawn in the shaded protected areas. Water parameters: pH 6.7, kH 3 degrees, gH 9 degrees. Diet is Northfin Veggie Pellets, Northfin Bug Bites, NorthFin Kelp Flake & weekly feeding of frozen bloodworms. Driftwood in the tank is Spiderwood & Manzanita.
I would like to mention that I had no intention and did nothing special to attempt breeding them at this time. My plan was to get a little more size on them prior to breeding them but apparently they had other plans.
Thinking about this and what may (and this is a big maybe who knows) have triggered the spawning: Did a 40% water change and the water replaced was a couple of degrees warmer than the tank water. They really seemed to like this and the first spawning took place the next day. Last female to breed chose rock in shaded area under driftwood.

 

[aussieman57]

Female #3 picked up her eggs this morning and is now mouthbrooding.

 

[getmethatgeoplease]

The current temp in tank is 74-75 degrees. The driftwood, rock and plant placement in the tank is situated to providing "shaded" areas. They prefer (for me) to spawn in the shaded protected areas. Water parameters: pH 6.7, kH 3 degrees, gH 9 degrees. Diet is Northfin Veggie Pellets, Northfin Bug Bites, NorthFin Kelp Flake & weekly feeding of frozen bloodworms. Driftwood in the tank is Spiderwood & Manzanita.
I would like to mention that I had no intention and did nothing special to attempt breeding them at this time. My plan was to get a little more size on them prior to breeding them but apparently they had other plans.
Thinking about this and what may (and this is a big maybe who knows) have triggered the spawning: Did a 40% water change and the water replaced was a couple of degrees warmer than the tank water. They really seemed to like this and the first spawning took place the next day. Last female to breed chose rock in shaded area under driftwood.View attachment 1489352

Makes sense with the water change and thanks for all the info! Mine are about the same size as yours and I haven’t thought about trying to give them favorable conditions for breeding but that pretty neat that it happened for you already.

 

[jjohnwm]

Mine started a week or so ago as well, as soon as I upped the temp a few degrees also. I wish I could have seen the nests, but the tank is crowded with rocks and wood and the females are shy. Saw very little courtship, just females carrying fry...which didn't last long in the community setting. I hope yours fare better.

I'm not really a cichlid guy but these are cool fish. Looking forward to devoting some outdoor water to them this summer.