Breeding African cichlids articles

new INTRODUCING CICHLIDS by Dr. Ron Coleman
Summary: An overview and defintion of Cichlid taxonomy.

THE EVOLUTION OF CICHLIDS by Sabine Wilkins
Summary: African cichlids had two advantages: tolerance to salt, and their pharyngeal apparatus. How and why speciation occurred. How they reached the Americas. Importance of preserving their diversity.

THE AFRICAN RIFT LAKES, Part 1: LAKE VICTORIA: TROUBLED WATERS
by Jason Jenkins
Summary: A detailed and well-written article about the troubles currently facing Lake Victoria.

THE PLIGHT OF THE LAKE VICTORIA CICHLIDS by Sean Furney
Summary: Tragically, native cichlid populations are dwindling rapidly in Lake Victoria. Sean outlines the reasons why.

THE AFRICAN RIFT LAKES, Part 2: LAKE MALAWI; DARWIN'S PLAYGROUND
by Jason Jenkins
Summary: Lake Malawi is home to almost 1000 species of fish, which have evolved in many specialized ways.

THE AFRICAN RIFT LAKES, Part 3: THE ANCIENT WATERS OF TANGANYIKA
by Jason Jenkins
Summary: Lake Tanganyika is the oldest and largest Rift Lake. Much of its amazing biodiversity is yet to be discovered.

LAKE TANGANYIKA AND ITS DIVERSE CICHLIDS by Craig Morfitt
Summary: An award-winning detailed article about this "cichlid paradise." Evolution of cichlids. Lake Tanganyika biotopes. Feeding diversity. Descriptions of a variety of species.

LAKE TANGANYIKA CICHLIDS by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: There are three main biotopes in Lake Tanganyika: Open Water, Rocky, and Shell Beds. Each attracts a different set of fish, which are kept and bred differently.

MOTHER'S MILK: The role of brine shrimp nauplii for the fish of Lake Tanganyika by Bob Allen
Summary: The copepod that is the natural food for many Lake Tanganyika fish species and their small-sized fry, is very similar in size to baby brine shrimp.

MALAWI MBUNA by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: How to keep and breed Lake Malawi 'mbuna' cichlids. Illustrated.

HOMEMADE ROCKS FOR THE MBUNA AQUARIUM by Jeffrey Legitt
Summary: Description of how Jeff made his own aquascaping rocks for his African cichlid aquarium.

PLANTS IN THE AFRICAN CICHLID AQUARIUM by Grant Gussie
Summary: A discussion of the possibilities of keeping live plants with Africans.

Altolamprologus calvus by Mike McCartney
Summary: Calvus are very similar to compressiceps in appearance. How Mike kept and bred them.

BREEDING THE AFRICAN BUTTERFLY CICHLID, Anomalochromis thomasi
Summary: Kenneth Balog found this small riverine cichlid from West Africa easy to breed and raise, even in a community setting.

Astatophila brownae by Andrew Chau
Summary: A short article on keeping and breeding this Lake Victoria mouthbrooder.

BREEDING Astatophila nubila by Kenneth Balog
Summary: This Lake Victoria haplochromine cichlid has an aggressive temperament and is recommended for more experienced aquarists.

SPAWNING Aulonocranus dewindti 'Ikola Honey Strain' by Michael McKinney
Summary: Michael's experiences in keeping and breeding this Lake Tanganyikan mouthbrooder.

Callochromis pleurospilus, A LAKE TANGANYIKAN SAND-SHIFTING MOUTHBROODER by Larry Jinks
Summary: This fish, unless in a very large tank, should be kept with only one male per 3 to 4 females.

SPAWNING Chalinochromis brichardi 'Masked' by Michael McKinney
Summary: Michael had some difficulties in dealing with the behaviour of the dominant male of this Lake Tanganyika cave spawner.

Chalinochromis sp. "Ndobnoi" by Mike Satkowski
Summary: Chalinochromis are similar to the more popular Julidochromis (Julies). They are less aggressive and easier to keep.

A PEACEFUL FISH FROM LAKE MALAWI Copidochromis sp. Virginalis Gold
by Rick Nemeth
Summary: A deep water fish which spawns in caves. Groups which include males and young fish can be housed together without aggression.

SUCCESS AT LAST - BREEDING Cyphotilapia frontosa by Steve Thompson
Summary: After eight years, Steve finally bred his Frontosas. He took the eggs from the female's mouth to prevent her from eating them.

KEEPING AND SPAWNING Cyprichromis leptosoma by Wayne Toven
Summary:This Lake Tanganyika cichlid needs hard alkaline water, and is a surface spawning mouthbrooder.

Cyprichromis leptosoma by Len Reback
Summary:"For anyone with a Tanganyikan tank with julies, shellies, and other substrate spawners looking for a new challenge, Cyprichromis leptosoma is a perfect addition. I hope you will give it a try. I'm sure you will enjoy it!" A detailed article.

SPECIES PROFILE: Cyrtocara moorii by Joe Lover
Summary:A complete guide to this popular Lake Malawi cichlid, the 'blue dolphin.'

BREEDING THE "MALAWI EYE-BITER" by Larry Johnson
Summary: Having once observed the Malawi cichlid Dimidiochromis compressiceps (AKA "The Malawi Eye-Biter") in the wild, Larry finally had the opportunity to spawn and raise some at home.

AQUARIUM HUSBANDRY OF THE CHRISTMAS FULU, Haplochromis (Xystichromis) phytophagus by Lee Newman
Summary:This Lake Victoria haplochromine is easy to keep, feed and breed, but is endangered in the wild. It is a mouthbrooder - how to release and raise the young. Suggestions for setting up a representative Lake Victoria community.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH A SUBSTRATE SPAWNER by Christian B. Homrich Jr.
Summary: How to breed and raise Hemichromis bimaculatus, the two-spotted jewel cichlid from West Africa.

Julidochromis ornatus by Winnie Petzeruse
Summary: Winnie was given a pair of Lake Tanganyikan 'julies' together with a few small fry. They spawned again as soon as they had settled into their new home.

THE FISH SPEAK: Labeotropheus fuelleborni by Gord Mitchell
Summary: "Fred, Fran and the Fuelleborni family" of Lake Nyasa mbunas tell of their breeding and the tank conditions they prefer.

Labeotropheus trewavasae "Jumbo" by Craig Morfitt
Summary: Craig brought these cichlids back from Lake Malawi to his home in Bermuda, and successfully bred them.

SHELL DWELLER SAMPLER by Jerry Riegel
Summary: An introduction to the Lamprologus genus of Lake Tanganyikan shell dwelling cichlids, with notes on six species that Jerry has kept.

BREEDING Lamprologus ocellatus "Golden" by Kevin Cyr
Summary: Kevin found the breeding of these fish to be entertaining and rewarding.

Melanochromis johanni by Karl Schwarze
Summary: Karl spawned and raised these Africans in a thirty gallon tank along with some M. auratus.

THE SEARCH FOR THE ELUSIVE "MARMALADE CAT" by Bob Krampetz
Summary: The term "marmalade cat" applies to several Lake Malawi cichlid species with certain markings. Some of Bob's Metriaclima estherae seem to qualify.

Metriaclima mbenji by Larry Johnson
Summary: The 'red top cobalt zebra' is a mouthbrooder from Lake Malawi.

Nanochromis transvestitus by Francine Bethea
Summary: The female of this species of West African cichlids is the most colorful, hence the name. They bred readily for Francine.

THE FISH SPEAK: Neolamprologus brevis/BREVIS SUNSPOT by Gord Mitchell
Summary: "Ben, Brenda and the Brevis family" of Lake Tanganyika cichlids tell of their breeding, food, and preferred living conditions.

Neolamprologus brevis by George Wright
Summary: Keeping and breeding this shell dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika.

Neolamprologus brichardi by Robert Brown
Summary: Keeping and breeding this Lake Tanganyika cichlid.

A FEW BITS & PIECES ON THE FAIRY CICHLID, Neolamprologus brichardi
by David Marshall
Summary: David bred this fish in groups held in a single species tank. He strongly recommends them to beginners.

BREEDING Neolamprologus brichardi by Beta Mahatvaraj
Summary: Beta's experiences in breeding this fish, with original photos.

Neolamprologus brichardi by Mick Talbot
Summary: Mike adds some interesting comments about raising the broods.

SPAWNING Neolamprologus sp. 'Caudopunctatus kipili' by Michael McKinney
Summary: Breeding this Lake Tanganyika cave spawner.

Neolamprologus leleupi by Al Ridley
Summary: Keeping and breeding another Lake Tanganyika cichlid.

STRIKING TANGANYIKAN GOLD by Richard Brown
Summary: Neolamprologus ocellatus. Richard "cannot recommend these fish highly enough." He relates his experiences keeping and breeding them, and includes some general observations about shell-dwelling Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

Neolamprologus pulcher 'Daffodil II' by Lenny Llambi
Summary: A well-written detailed article about Lenny's experiences in keeping and breeding these fish, together with some general observations about Lake Tanganyikan cichlids.

SPAWNING Neolamprologus tretocephalus by Jim Carmack, Jr.
Summary: Breeding the "Dwarf Frontosa", a Lake Tanganyika cichlid.

Opthalmotilapia ventralis by Eric Rogne
Summary: Keeping and breeding this mouthbrooding Lake Tanganyika feather-fin cichlid. Use of dither fish.

BREEDING THE SULPHUR-CRESTED LITHOBATE Otopharynx lithobates
by Richard Brown
Summary: A detailed article about breeding this Lake Malawi mouthbrooder, together with some useful general tips.

THE PURPLE CICHLID (KRIBENSIS) Pelvicachromis pulcher by Lynn McMullen
Summary: Kribensis are West African riverine cichlids, and are easy to keep and breed. They are recommended for the beginner.

Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Nigeria green" by Don Kinyon
Summary: Don had always wondered what the big attraction was about West African dwarf cichlids, but when he saw these fish in their spawning coloration he understood.

A TASTE IN FINGERS? BITTEN BY THE SOUTHERN MOUTHBROODER, Pseudocrenilabrus philander philander by David Marshall
Summary: "Nature now tells their mother to weed her brood of any weaklings, so she begins to carry out a form of infanticide and there are times when she forgets to stop, thus wiping out a whole brood." (Also known as the Blue-lipped Cichlid).

Pseudotropheus flavus by Larry Johnson
Summary: Larry brought these fish home from a trip to Lake Malawi where he observed them under water. He bred them at home, and as with other first generations from wild caught fish (G1), he found that the young coloured up much faster than wild stock, and the colour was better.

Pseudotropheus saulosi by Lee Miller
Summary: Lake Malawi water conditions, a large tank, a suitable spawning site, and the composition of the colony are all important when spawning this mouthbrooder.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH Schwetzochromis stormsi by Mike Duffy
Summary: Mike found these seldom seen West African mouthbrooders aggressive, until he added some dither fish. They eventually bred successfully, and this is described in detail.

Steatocranus casuarius by "Anonymous"
Summary: From the Congo River, the "Buffalohead", "Blockhead", or "Lionhead" cichlid has an interesting appearance although it is drab in colouration. It breeds in caves and looks after its young.

SPAWNING Stomatepia pindu by Michael McKinney
Summary: This mouthbrooding cichlid comes from a crater lake in Cameroon, West Africa. At first Michael had some problems raising the young.

CARE AND BREEDING OF Telmatochromis bifrenatus by Terry Ranson
Summary: Terry's fish gave a bizarre courtship display when they were in an African community tank. Transferred to their own tank they mostly hid out of sight, but successfully produced young.

TROPHEUS? NO AND YES by Tom Wojtech
Summary: Breeding reports on the West African Tilapia joka, and the East African Tropheus sp. Red.

Tropheus sp. Black "Kiriza" by Ronald Revolinski
Summary: After some false starts Ronald was able to breed and raise this Lake Tanganyika cichlid.

Tropheus sp. "Black" location point Kiriza by Marshall Davis
Summary: Marshall was told that this is a very demanding fish. He found otherwise.

Tropheus brichardi 'mpimbwe' by Mike Satkowski
Summary: Mike had trouble just keeping these fish alive at first, but eventually bred them. Amusing observations on their bizarre and often violent behaviours. Original illustrations.

Tropheus duboisi 'Maswa'(?) by Mike Satkowski
Summary: Mike describes how he keeps and breeds these fish. Includes a series of six photos.

Tropheus moorii - MY EXPERIENCES by Robby Lucken
Summary: Tropheus can be hard to keep, but Robby found the secrets and is pleased to have established a successful breeding colony.

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF TROPHEUS by Dave Ball
Summary: Dave describes his trials and tribulations keeping and breeding Tropheus. In the end it was worth it.