What size do Melanochromis breed at?

[mukundam123]

Hi guys,

I've recently bought 2 Melanochromis Maingano, and 2 other melanochromis (yellow with black stripe). I've been told that theyre too young to sex yet as both sets are showing the same colour. Just wanted to know what size they might change colour/sex, and at what size they would breed? What can I do to induce this?

Theyre to only ones I've got in the 55g at the moment, but I'm planning on getting more malawis....any tips on what I could get so that I can breed these, and others in there?

Cheers

 

[tennisboi87]

They can breed at small size as small as 2-3 inches.....very productive fish breeds like crazy after a while....

 

[mukundam123]

What size do they become adults at? Mine are around the 2.5 - 3 inch mark, but I still can't tell which are male/female

 

[mukundam123]

bump

 

[mattison187]

the black/yellow ones are most likely M. auratus. nasty little buggers. to breed them you want 5-7 females for every male. when they become mature the males colors will reverse. if your looking for a good site for malawis go to www.malawimayhem.com thats an awsome forum with alot of nice ppl. theyll answer whatever you need.

Edit* if there are no males in the tank the dominent female will take on the males colors. just a neat fact i thought id let you know

 

[m1ste2tea]

my pair are about 2.5 inches long. the presumed male changed colors about 2 months ago, and this weekend the pair were doing the breeding T-off dance for a good 2 hours. i hope that it isnt just two females, but the female is definetly holding eggs.

 

[Navyscuba]

You can check for good info Cichlid-forum.com I use it often for all kinds of Diy projects and ideas to improve here and there.

 

[m1ste2tea]

I just stripped my M. Auratus this morning, it was the first time for me and for her. She started holding eggs 3 weeks ago and now I have 8 new ones swimming in my growout tank. this count is low probably because she cannot hold any more in her mouth due to her small size, no more than 2.5 inches. the fry are tiny, approx 5/8 of an inch but have used up all of their yolk sacks and are swimming pretty well at the bottom of the tank. The male is flashing in front of the female again! Wasting no time lol

I will post pictures as soon as I get a shot of them, within the next day or two

 

[m1ste2tea]

here are the little bitties

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