Spawning Cichlids in ponds

[stiker]

Hello,

I have the opportunity to get a new tank/ pond and was thinking for the pricing it is much cheaper and I can get something much larger looking into aquaponic style fish ponds (the heavy duty plastic ones)
I am currently looking at one that holds 1500L (400G) and is 7ft x 3.5ft x 2.5ft (rectangular shape) which I plan to build a case around (if that makes sense) out of wood for extra support from bowing. Or I could go with a 2000L (520G) circular pond. My question is do people have experience spawning and pulling fry from cichlids in similar setups. My plan is to use this for my 7 Guinacara Dacyra and 8 Heros sp. Rotkeil (unsure if I will be keeping all of the Guinacara and Heros) I possibly have considered a pair of Hoplarchus Psittacus but don’t want to over do it. The pond will be heated, have sand, and driftwood in it. Do you believe I will be able to pull fry easily from them? Or do you believe they would be more comfortable in an aquarium. Looking for an advice possible. Thanks

 

[jonclark96]

I have never had either an aquarium or a pond of that size, but I don't think that what the container is made of will make much of a difference as to the ease of pulling fry. No matter if it is a big glass box or a plastic tub, trying to get fry that are a fraction of an inch long out without draining a lot of the water, removing a lot of decor, and having a big net, will be a chore.

I will say that most folks who keep their fish in big ponds seem to report success of getting their fish to spawn. I would guess it has more to do with the larger space in both footprint of the tank and water volume that provide a more stable environment for the fish. If getting them to spawn is the primary goal, I'd say get the biggest tank/pond you can get, keep the water clean, and give them good food, and you will likely have success. If the primary goal is watching your fish, then you have to decide if you want to see them in a lighted glass box, or look at them from above in a pond (assuming from your descriptions that the pond is not transparent and you would not be able to see through the sides).

 

[duanes]

I have kept many cichlids in 500 to1500 gallon ponds, 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tanks and the like for many years
Because I lived in Wisconsin unless I drained the pond in fall, all would freeze to death, so to capture fry I had always drain them, and even half full it was difficult to capture them, in fact the most efficient way seemed to be draining the pond to just puddles.

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Below Gymnogeophagus with fry in a 300 gal Rubbermaid

 

[twentyleagues]

For getting the fry out use a python or length of hose and syphon them out. It's not ideal but it works quite well.

 

[stiker]

I have never had either an aquarium or a pond of that size, but I don't think that what the container is made of will make much of a difference as to the ease of pulling fry. No matter if it is a big glass box or a plastic tub, trying to get fry that are a fraction of an inch long out without draining a lot of the water, removing a lot of decor, and having a big net, will be a chore.

I will say that most folks who keep their fish in big ponds seem to report success of getting their fish to spawn. I would guess it has more to do with the larger space in both footprint of the tank and water volume that provide a more stable environment for the fish. If getting them to spawn is the primary goal, I'd say get the biggest tank/pond you can get, keep the water clean, and give them good food, and you will likely have success. If the primary goal is watching your fish, then you have to decide if you want to see them in a lighted glass box, or look at them from above in a pond (assuming from your descriptions that the pond is not transparent and you would not be able to see through the sides).

My main goal is spawning species. I believe considering that I can get a large pond for much cheaper then an aquarium I will go for a pond, I am more interested in the extra water volume then being able to see the fish from the side. I just wasn’t sure if they would act differently like more skittish as they will have people viewing them from above. Also, with the larger water volume it would be much better for my Megalodoras catfish

 

[stiker]

I have kept many cichlids in 500 to1500 gallon ponds, 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tanks and the like for many years
Because I lived in Wisconsin unless I drained the pond in fall, all would freeze to death, so to capture fry I had always drain them, and even half full it was difficult to capture them, in fact the most efficient way seemed to be draining the pond to just puddles.
View attachment 1434505
View attachment 1434506\
Below Gymnogeophagus with fry in a 300 gal Rubbermaid
View attachment 1434507

Thank you for that. I am going to go with the pond as I favour the extra water volume and stability over being able to see the fish from the side. The pond will be located inside and heated so the temperature getting too cold should not be an issue