I can not say it does. cichlids live to eat, stake territory and breed. the nesting is instinctual wither a mate present or not.
I guess I meant IME, lol

I can not say it does. cichlids live to eat, stake territory and breed. the nesting is instinctual wither a mate present or not.
I like seeing any of it, says to me my fish are healthy, comfortable with there tank and surrounding and just going about the business as they would in the wild.
unlike the wild, divider in, male get laid next month, female busy.