Reproduction in C. kelberi

[pnoydlyte]

Maybe. In the Amazon region of Brazil, many species of cichlids and other fishes spawn at the onset of the rainy season when water temps actually lower a bit and the water level rises thus flooding the forest and allowing the fry to have access to a broader range of food items and a greater abundance of those same items.

still kinda new to the whole cichla scene but in the areas in which Kelberi originate from would those locale consider cooler in water temp? Also, would salinity be another factor of both max size and maturation? I was thinking that MAYBE salinity could possibly be a factor as well with the difference in bacteria colonies and other micro organisms that are in the waters

 

[Cichlidgeek]

still kinda new to the whole cichla scene but in the areas in which Kelberi originate from would those locale consider cooler in water temp? Also, would salinity be another factor of both max size and maturation? I was thinking that MAYBE salinity could possibly be a factor as well with the difference in bacteria colonies and other micro organisms that are in the waters

No problem.
Some areas where C. kelberi are found have cooler periods of the year. So yes, I think this plays a role is size/growth/reproductive activity etc...., but as for salinity...not a factor in this case. Maybe in coastal rivers and such, but even then it would act as a barrier since Cichla do NOT like salt water at all. In fact, too much common aquarium salt will kill Cichla instantly...trust me from experience!! That was a long time ago, though

 

[X-Tank]

Brian... thanks for those overwhelming information.... I will have to read this thread again tomorrow when my mind is clear.. haha...

Here is my little experience to share on Ranchu goldfish breeding in 2008

First spawn happend around early 3/2008 ... I got around 200 eggs.. temp was low 50's here in cali, so took about 7 days to hatch.
Interestingly low temp did not affect % of hatch but only lengthen the time to hatch. Due to low temp, I didn't have much fungal growth in eggs.
After they hatched, I put them in my 260 pond and fed them brineshrimp.

So... around every 2-3 weeks my ranchu spawned once or twice. Until late July I didn't see any more spawning behavior.
I collected total of 5 spawns.

So... what happened to those fry in my POND ??? Cannibalization started to happen. Those from my first spawn ate the little ones.
Competing for foods.... The bigger ones got bigger faster... those from later spawn stay small and their growth got completely retarded.

SO... my point is ..... Cichla born in early breeding season, although temp is cold, condition is tough,
but having advantage to be born first, there is better chance to compete and survive compare to those from later spawn.

PS: ....doesn't help to solve kelberi maturation puzzle...

 

[channarox]

James,
Here is more for you to ponder and sort out. I like torturing you, it's rather fun
Previous studies of the icthyofauna in Lobo Reservoir
demonstrate that after C. kelberi was introduced, at the end
of the 1990s, there was a change in the communities, with a
decline in the relative abundance of some species, such as
Hoplias malabaricus, Geophagus brasiliensis, Astyanax
fasciatus, Cyphocharax modestus and Gymnotus carapo, and
an increase in the relative abundance of the tucunaré (Fragoso
et al., 2005). It is important to stress that once established, it
is extremely difficult to eradicate a species (Lowe-McConnell,
1999). So the implementation of efficient mechanisms to
control this species is necessary to minimize its potentially
harmful effect on the aquatic community.

Here's the funny thing....notice the Hoplias species mentioned above. That is a common wolf fish...a very arrogant and bastardish predator that is capable of swallowing large fishes. BUT.....what is interesting is that juvenile Hoplias do not need to eat their own weight in food daily...unlike all species of Cichla up to about 3 inches or so in order to remain healthy. So, there is a huge number of baby Hoplias that get consumed (based on stomach analysis) compared to a smaller number of Cichla...thus a major offset even between ichthyo-apex predators

interesting.
one more thing to note,hoplias are not open water predators.
they tend to sit around alot and wait for their prey.
cichla on the other hand swim and chase prey all the time.
this could mean that kelberi are outcompeting the hoplias and in turn causing the hoplias numbers to dwindle.
the same thing is actually happening here in singapore.

we have giant snakeheads.
remember all the horror stories of them being ferocious apex predators?
well,after cichla were released here,the population of snakeheads dropped severely.
the cichla outcompeted the snakeheads and also fed heavily on their young.
now there is an abundance of cichla here and catching snakeheads is very rare.

 

[pnoydlyte]

would you think that cooler water temps would affect the different species of cichla such as monos and ocellaris.. I think ill try it out and grow out a couple in a outdoor tank you think a 6'x2'x2' would be good hehe

 

[channarox]

would you think that cooler water temps would affect the different species of cichla such as monos and ocellaris.. I think ill try it out and grow out a couple in a outdoor tank you think a 6'x2'x2' would be good hehe

im sure cooler temps would affect any cichla somehow.
but what kind of effect i would not know.

 

[X-Tank]

we have giant snakeheads.
remember all the horror stories of them being ferocious apex predators?
well,after cichla were released here,the population of snakeheads dropped severely.
the cichla outcompeted the snakeheads and also fed heavily on their young.
now there is an abundance of cichla here and catching snakeheads is very rare.

yeah... since I introduced Cichla to my 220 water reservoir, my dollar bills are gone... quarters have disappeared...... food items in the refrigerator have dropped less and less. Introduction Cichla unprepared can result in severe consequence.

 

[channarox]

yeah... since I introduced Cichla to my 220 water reservoir, my dollar bills are gone... quarters have disappeared...... food items in the refrigerator have dropped less and less. Introduction Cichla unprepared can result in severe consequence.

 

[Marius]

Very interesting read and you guys pretty much summed up all the factors that lead to the presumably precocious maturation of the Kelberi: lower temperatures and predators.

Brian, have you managed to find any similar studies? Nothing better than confirmed theories.

interesting.
one more thing to note,hoplias are not open water predators.
they tend to sit around alot and wait for their prey.
cichla on the other hand swim and chase prey all the time.
this could mean that kelberi are outcompeting the hoplias and in turn causing the hoplias numbers to dwindle.
the same thing is actually happening here in singapore.

we have giant snakeheads.
remember all the horror stories of them being ferocious apex predators?
well,after cichla were released here,the population of snakeheads dropped severely.
the cichla outcompeted the snakeheads and also fed heavily on their young.
now there is an abundance of cichla here and catching snakeheads is very rare.

Cichla surfacing as top predators

yeah... since I introduced Cichla to my 220 water reservoir, my dollar bills are gone... quarters have disappeared...... food items in the refrigerator have dropped less and less. Introduction Cichla unprepared can result in severe consequence.

James, pass over here some of those Cichlas, and your wallet and fridge will have a lighter load .

 

[Ripdevil]

I wont stop til I get mine to breed