Rainbow Cichlid Infertility?

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

marquesas14

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 29, 2010
12
0
16
Florida
I have a trio of Herotilapia multispinosa (Rainbow Cichlids) that I have raised for the past year from 3/4" or so. A few months ago, two of them paired off and spawned on a flowerpot. Within 2 days, all of the eggs had turned white (infertile) and the parents promptly picked them off and ate them. This exact same sequence of events has happened four times in total now. Is this simply the mark of an inexperienced male, not getting his job done, or could I be looking at an infertile fish all together? Any thoughts are appreciated!

Water parameters are as follows: 55g tank- ph 7.6 kh-10 gh-7 temp-81-82 deg nitrate- 20 nitrite-0 ammonia-0

20180503_202123.jpg
 
It looks to be a community tank, no?
Sometimes in a community tank, all the other action is enough of a distraction to make fertilizing eggs a problem.
If you really want to have a successful spawn, the other distractions (tetras, Plecos, even the other rainbows) may need to be removed, so the pair can concentrate on the task at hand, without interruption.
Fertile multispinnossa eggs are usually a beige color.


 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Yep. It's a community setup. The pair doesn't seem to notice any of the other fish, but the third rainbow DOES seem to distract them. I never witness the actual spawn, but I can imagine they're chasing the other one during that time to protect the nesting site. Being that these two paired on their own, there's no chance of it being two females is there? Thanks for your reply!!
 
Good point. Paul Loiselle wrote a great paper about Rainbows that goes into great detail about that. I have a few outdoor tanks I may move them to..
 
I wanted to update this and get suggestions on how to proceed. I have since moved my pair to an outdoor tank where they have spawned (still unsuccessfully) three more times. I am beginning to think I may have all female fish. The third Rainbow has remained inside to allow the pair to hopefully spawn undisturbed. Today I decided to get to the bottom of this and vent all three fish. I'm hoping for someone with a little more experience at this to give me confirmation. These are three separate fish.

20180614_180647.jpg 20180614_180730.jpg 20180614_181051.jpg
 
marquesas14 said:
I wanted to update this and get suggestions on how to proceed. I have since moved my pair to an outdoor tank where they have spawned (still unsuccessfully) three more times. I am beginning to think I may have all female fish. The third Rainbow has remained inside to allow the pair to hopefully spawn undisturbed. Today I decided to get to the bottom of this and vent all three fish. I'm hoping for someone with a little more experience at this to give me confirmation. These are three separate fish.

View attachment 1319959 View attachment 1319960 View attachment 1319961
Click to expand...
https://goo.gl/images/6AFE3b
 
  • Like
Reactions: marquesas14
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom