How would I go about sexing mbuna? Also can all mbuna breed with one another or only certain mbuna species?
Thanks, Jude.
Thanks, Jude.
Sexing Mbuna?
- Thread starter fishjude78
- Start date
Males usually have "egg spots" on their rear anal(?) fins - the fin on the underside of the fish near the back tail. They are little spots that used to mimic eggs. Since mbuna are mouthbrooders, the females scoop up the eggs in their mouthes. When they see the males "egg spots" they think they are eggs that need to be scooped up. The males then fertilize the eggs in the females mouthes.
Even females may have an egg spot, but the males usually have three or four.
The males also tend be a bit bigger and a tad more aggressive, but that is not always the case. I have a female cobalt zebra that runs my 90g tank.
Hope this helps.
If you have any females holding, you will notice there is a little point on their "chin." Also, they will stop feeding because of the eggs in their mouthes. The not feeding part is OK, as long as they aren't constantly holding.
Even females may have an egg spot, but the males usually have three or four.
The males also tend be a bit bigger and a tad more aggressive, but that is not always the case. I have a female cobalt zebra that runs my 90g tank.
Hope this helps.
If you have any females holding, you will notice there is a little point on their "chin." Also, they will stop feeding because of the eggs in their mouthes. The not feeding part is OK, as long as they aren't constantly holding.
Oh, and to answer your breeding question, mbuna are not real picky when it comes to breeding. Cross breeding is normal. Many "serious" mbuna keepers frown on cross breeding. Unless you're keeping a species-specific tank, cross-breeding is almost a given. If you plan on selling the fry, be sure to let people know they are probably hybrids.
Even see the "assorted African cichlid" tank at the lfs? These are the fish that have cross bred.
Even see the "assorted African cichlid" tank at the lfs? These are the fish that have cross bred.
Don't rely on eggspots though. As mentioned already by EastBay, females can have eggspots too, so don't rely on that as the determining factor.
Several species of Mbuna are Dimorphic in color, so males and females are easily distinguished because they are different colors.
Some, such as Yellow Labs, cannot be sexed simply by looking at them. The only way to tell females between males is by watching them breed.
Several species of Mbuna are Dimorphic in color, so males and females are easily distinguished because they are different colors.
Some, such as Yellow Labs, cannot be sexed simply by looking at them. The only way to tell females between males is by watching them breed.
The best way to sex mbuna is to vent them. It's the only 100% way. Even with dimorphic mbuna, the males and females can sometimes take on the colors of the other gender.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gender.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gender.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gender.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gender.php
One more question, can melanochromis species interbreed with labeotrophus and metriaclima etc... or can melanochromis only breed with other melanochromis species?