red jewl cichlids

[kmc150]

i just got a breading pair for free any info on them it would help i will post pics when i get a chance

 

[boldtogether]

They lay hundreds of eggs and will defend them fiercly. Once the eggs hatch into wrigglers you need to get the fry out into there own tank, a 10g will work for a good while. The fry will eat baby brine shrimp and crushed flake. They will begin to grow and then begin to eat each other. Seriously. It has been my experience that once the fry get to about 1/2" they become cannibals! People told me I wasnt feeding them enough but I disagree...I think its one of those circle of life things as the larger fed on the smaller. Odd. Anyway, once these fish get to about an inch long they are fairly easy to raise up to adults.

To get them to breed, they need very good water(regular water changes), soft substrate and consistant temp(80ºF-82ºF)

Thats what worked for me.

 

[kmc150]

would they be good in a 10gal tank and do they need caves or anything for them to hide in

 

[Szar]

mine laid eggs after a 90% water change and tank redecorating.

 

[jay_leask]

would they be good in a 10gal tank and do they need caves or anything for them to hide in

mine laid their eggs on a flat rock, that i had driftwood over for cover. the first time mine had eggs i didnt know and was wondering why my 3 oscars were in one corner of the tank. they are something fierce.

 

[BlackLagoon]

I wouldn't recommend keeping them on a 10G. They can grow to 6" and loves to swim around. It would be better if you can get them a 20G LONG. They are very tough cichlids. And I mean tough, like "convcict tough".

And yes the posts are right. Water change usually triggers their breeding.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

10 gallon is too small for a pair, its not even that suitable for one. They are pretty aggressive little fish. I owned one, never got a chance to see how they breed, but I can imagine they are much more aggressive at that time. They are territorial, so caves or some type of structure would be a good idea for them to have. I would only keep a pair in a tank, if it were to be more of a community set up a much bigger tank is needed. Something like a 55 gallon. I think a 20 gallon long atleast is ok for a pair of these fish alone.

 

[dent20]

It's probably also worth noting that they're African.

 

[cichlid2006]

I added a small one to my midas' tank and within 5 minutes it was confident enought to have a face off with my midas who was quite a bit larger than it in every way. I would imagine if she had wanted to she could have probably just bit it in half.

they are mean little fish and will not back down to anything IME.

 

[knifegill]

It's probably also worth noting that they're African.

Yes, but they are not a hardwater species so standardized care is good for them.