Breeding New World Cichlids articles

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Fish breeding, keeping

New World Cichlids

Acaras, dwarf cichlids, oscars, Jack Dempseys, flowerhorns, festivums, angelfish, discus and many others.
Species are in alphabetical order according to their Latin names

new TELLING MALES FROM FEMALES by Dr. Ron Coleman
Summary: Explains the venting technique to sex fish; also provides link to an exceptional article dealing with same topic.

new SETTING UP A SIMPLE CENTRAL AMERICAN CICHLID AQUARIUM
by Dr. Ron Coleman
Summary: A step-by-step description of how to set up an Aquarium for Central American cichlids like convicts (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus).

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

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, INTRODUCTION AND PART I - ACARAS
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Cichlasoma, Aequidens, Bujurquina, Tahuantinsuyoa, Krobia, Ladacara, Cleithracara, Nannacara.
Includes such fish commonly known as Blue Acara, Green Terror, and Keyhole Cichlid.
This is Part One of a major series of five by a recognised authority on cichlids. Each scholarly article discusses classification and naming, water parameters, tank set-up, food, tank mates, breeding, and bibliography.
Looking for a particular species? - try Aquarticles Search.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART II - "HIGH-BODIED ACARAS"
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Heros, Hypselacara, Hoplarcus, Mesonauta, Pterophyllum, Symphysodon, Uaru, Acaronia, Caquetaia.
This part includes such fish as Discus, Angelfish, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Festivum, Uaru.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART III - NORTH AMERICA
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Dean points out that Central America and the Caribbean Islands are in fact part of North America. cichlasoma sections: Thorichthys, Archocentrus, Herichthys, Mandopsis, Theraps, Amphilophus. Neetroplus, Paraneetroplus, Herotila, Petenia. Oddballs.
Cichlids discussed include those commonly known as Jack Dempsey, Convict, Firemouth Cichlid, jurupari, Red Devil, Rainbow Cichlid.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART IV - GEOPHAGINES
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Geophagus, Satanoperca, Hump-head eartheaters, Brasiliensoids, Gymnogeophagus, Biotodoma, Retroculus, Acarichthys, Guianacara, Papiliochromis, Apistogramma, Apistograminoides.
The Eartheaters, Apistogramma species, Rams.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART V - MISCELLANEOUS GENERA AND CONCLUSION by Dean Hougen
Summary: Cichla, Crenicieblines, Crenicarines, Chactobranchines.
Includes Pike Cichlids, Checkerboard Cichlids, Oscar.
Dean concludes that, although "wading through" these articles may be "exhausting," one of the best ways to understand fish is to recognise how they are related to each other, particularly when classified in informal groupings between the level of the family and that of the genus.

new CICHLID FRY DEVELOPMENT - A PHOTO ESSAY by Lois and Max Gallade
Summary: Photo essay of Dwarf Cichlid fry development : Apistogramma bitaenita, A. cacatuaides, A. cf. eunatus, A. pandura, A. resticulasa, A. trifasciata, A. viejita II, M. ramirezi

SORTING OUT THE GREY DOGS by Rick Bolger
Summary: "A decidedly unscientific approach to Central American Cichlid Identification." The acronyms NATHAT and PHANG are an easy way to remember the classifications.

WHAT DO I WANT CICHLIDS FOR? by Andrew Boyd
Summary: "Cichlids make great pets, are fascinating subjects for study, good fun to breed, and are nice colourful things to have around to impress non-fishy friends and relatives." They "may pay for their own food and some of the electricity bill"- Andrew includes a discussion on which species are best to breed for profit.

NEO-TROPICAL DWARF CICHLID HUSBANDRY by Andrew Foster
Summary: A general introduction to keeping and breeding dwarf cichlids.

YOUR FIRST CICHLID AQUARIUM by William Berg
Summary: Species suggestions and tank set-ups for three different cichlid aquariums.

Aequidens curviceps AND ME by Doug Williams
Summary: Doug had lots of trouble raising the fry, but was finally successful. At the end of this article are a few general tips on dwarf cichlids.

FOUR YEARS + PATIENCE = Aequidens diadema by Ray Gettler
Summary: Ray recounts in detail his spawning of this fish and the raising of the fry.

APISTOGRAMMAS MY WAY by Don Zilliox
Summary: Setting up the tank. The spawning. Reverse osmosis water. New species.

THE GENUS Apistogramma (MY EXPERIENCES IN THEIR CARE AND BREEDING) by Rich Grenfell
Summary: Rich finds apistos easy to care for and their breeding behavior entertaining.

Apistogramma cacatuoides by Don Zilliox
Summary: This dwarf cichlid is relatively easy to breed, and Don considers it the best Apisto for the beginner.

Apistogramma cacatuoides by Francine Bethea
Summary: Another report on spawning and raising cacatuoides. Francine also recommends it for the beginner.

BREEDING Apistogramma njisseni by Sal Silvestri, and by Ed Katuska
Summary: Two separate articles about this dwarf cichlid. Sal spent ten frustrating years attempting to breed it. For Ed it seems to have been mere routine.

Apistogramma sp. Maulbruter by Rich Grenfell
Summary: This newly available fish is a delayed mouthbrooder, mouthbrooding the fry rather than the eggs. Rich found other aspects of its behavior interesting.

BREEDING Apistogramma sp."Mouthbrooder" (Maulbrueter)
By Lois and Max Gallade
Summary: Photo breeding journal of an Apostogramma species with parenting traits unlike others in the genus.

Apistogramma panduro (A. pandurini) by Don Kinyon
Summary: Don read magazine articles about this fish and was finally able to acquire some. A pair spawned in a crowded 50 gallon tank, so the eggs were transferred into a 1 gallon bowl for hatching.

Apistogramma panduro – The “Other” Panda by Sean Kettle
Summary: Sean recounts the drama of breeding the feisty Aipstogramma panduro. Infusoria found in Java moss provides the first food for the fry.

Apistogramma trifasciata by Don Kinyon
Summary: After several weeks of courting, Don's female finally laid eggs in a flower pot and protected them fiercely. The fry were raised successfully.

UNUSUAL BREEDING BEHAVIOUR IN WILD CAUGHT Archocentrus sajica by William Berg
Summary: When placed in a large aquarium crowded with predatory fish, William's sajicas adopted a different breeding strategy than usual.

Archocentrus septemfasciatum by Ted Gugliermo
Summary: How Ted kept and bred these small peaceful cichlids from Costa Rica.

OLD BLUE EYES: SPAWNING Archocentrus spirulum by Wayne Toven
Summary: Commonly called the blue-eyed cichlid. Their first spawning came as a surprise for Wayne.

OSCARS by Bruce Taylor
Summary: Astronatus ocellatus. Oscars need a big tank and clean water. Feeding them. Breeding. They have their own personalities - "the closest thing you will get to a puppy."

Biotoecus opercularis...A CHALLENGE? by Rich Grenfell
Summary: Rich found these seldom seen "Green Cichlids" easier to keep and breed than he had been told.

Cichlasoma octofasciatum - JACK DEMPSEY by Rudy Pabelick
Summary: Rudy's Jack Dempseys spawned the same day they were introduced. Rudy made some mistakes and lost the fry, but learned some valuable lessons.

A TOUGH FISH OF MANY NAMES by Ted Guglielmo
Summary: The Jack Dempsey has different generic names depending on where you look. Ted found it easy to breed - the problem was how to dispose of the young.

FLOWER HORN FISH IN GENERAL by FlowerFish.com
Summary: The "Flower Horn Fish" is a colourful hybrid of Cichlasoma species which has recently been developed in South-East Asia, where it is gaining popularity because its markings resemble Chinese characters and it is believed to bring luck.

FLOWERHORNS, ALIAS NIGHTMARES by Madhu Soodhanan
Summary: Writing from India, Madhu argues that flowerhorn cichlids, as man-made hybrids, are an abomination to the hobby and their production should not be encouraged. They have a devastating effect when released into the wild in tropical waters.

INTRODUCTION TO PIKE CICHLIDS by Vinny Kutty
Summary: "Pike cichlids of the genus Crenicichla make very interesting and challenging aquarium residents." The species. How to house, feed and breed them.

Crenicichla sp. "Pacaya" by Don Zilliox
Summary: Don discovered these pike cichlids for sale on the Internet at Aquabid. He describes how he bred them, and points out that many new small pike cichlids are now being imported.

A TALE OF TWO PIKES by Vinny Kutty
Summary: As a "hardcore pike nut," Vinny had kept most of the regularly encountered pike cichlid species, but was able to import from Europe Crenicichla proteus and Crenicichla cf. menezesi. He describes his experiences with them.

Dicrossus filamentosa. MY TRAUMA IN THEIR CARE AND BREEDING
by Don Maloney
Summary: Don's checkerboard cichlids spawned readily, but he had to take drastic measures to raise the young.

SPAWNING Dicrossus maculatus by Charles Drew
Summary: The spade-tail checkerboard cichlid is seldom seen and is difficult to breed. Charles was successful when he softened the water by adding straight RO water.

BREEDING Dicrossus maculatus by Sal Silvestri
Summary: A detailed account of Sal's experiences keeping and breeding this fish.

EARTH EATER by Paul McFarlane
Summary: Keeping and breeding Geophagus brasiliensis, the "pearl cichlid."

MAINTENANCE AND BREEDING OF THE RED HUMP EARTHEATER, Geophagus steindachneri by Lee Newman
Summary: Because of their "eartheating" habits, geophagines need an aquarium with a well balanced nitrogen cycle. They exhibit fascinating behaviours and are quite easy to breed.

Geophagus steindachneri by Tony Bernard
Summary: Tony's red hump eartheaters bred while still in his community cichlid growout tank.

Guinacara geayi, THE SADDLE-SPOT EARTHEATER by Kevin Korotev
Summary: These fish spawned readily in a group setting, but to raise the young it was found best to remove mother and young to a separate tank.

BREEDING JEWEL CICHLIDS (Hemichromis bimaculatus) by S. Naga Siddharth
Summary: Writing from India, Naga recounts his personal experiences breeding this fish. Illustrated with original photos.

Heros severus - BANDED CICHLID - SEVERUM by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Twyla's severums spawned readily, but it took several false starts due to fungus before the fry were raised.

THE RIO NEGRO CHOCOLATE CICHLID. Hypselecara coryphaenoides
by Lee Newman.
Summary: Lee brought these fish back from the wild, the Rio Negro near Manaus. He records in detail his experiments in keeping and breeding them.

IN FRANCE THEY CALL THEM "CHOCOLATS." Breeding Hypselecara temporalis by Ignatius A. Balistrieri
Summary: Ignatius kept these fish for two years until they grew large and spawned. The adults ate several batches of young, but removing the eggs to another tank finally resulted in success.

IS THAT A FESTIVUM? by Vinny Kutty
Summary: "Festivums" have been in the hobby for a long time, and were thought to be a single species, Cichlasoma festivum. But they have now been given their own genus, Mesonauta, and six distinct species have been described, as detailed here.

KEEPING AND BREEDING Microgeophagus altispinosa by Rich Grenfell
Summary: The Bolivian ram was one of the first fish Rich bred.

Microgeophagus ramirezi by Don Zilliox
Summary: Breeding the German blue ram, one of the prettiest and most popular dwarf cichlids.

new REDISCOVERING THE GERMAN BLUE RAM - Microgeophagus ramirezi
by Lois and Max Gallade
Summary: A richly photographed breeding journal for anyone interested in Microgeophagus ramirezi. .

Parachromis managuense by William Berg
Summary: This beautiful large cichlid is not as aggressive as reputed. It is easy to keep and breed. The main problem can be what to do with thousands of fry.

HUSBANDRY OF Parachromis motaguensis by Vinny Kutty
Summary: Keeping and breeding the "red tiger cichlid", a guapote. The males are very aggressive, destroying tankmates of other species. Vinny's male turned on its mate after two years together, so the incomplete-divider method of breeding is recommended.

KRIBS by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: Pelvicachromis pulcher. "This shy little cichlid makes an excellent starter cichlid for anyone interested in breeding egg layers."

MY EXPERIENCE WITH Pelvicachromis subocellatus by Joe Solge
Summary: "These yellow-cheeked kribs demonstrate all of the typical cichlid spawning behavior on a smaller scale and provide an attractive variation of a common genus."

ANGELFISH HISTORY - THE SHORT VERSION by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: History of P. scalare as an aquarium fish: name changes 1823-62, importing and breeding 1909 on, varieties.

ANGELFISH by Jason Shaw
Summary: Breeding notes for Pterophyllum scalare.

SOME TIPS ON BREEDING ANGELFISH by Jason Shaw
Summary: Jason is an advanced hobbyist who breeds angelfish on a commercial basis. He presents some tips that he has learnt from his own experience.

A RECIPE FOR ANGELS by Mike Keiser
Summary: A detailed article outlining the author's technique for breeding angelfish.

IF ANGELS COULD TALK by Bart van Dijk
Summary: Angelfish in the wild find reproducing to be a risky business - many things can go wrong.

LIVING WITH THE ANGELS by Bill "Pegasus NZ"
Summary: Observations on the behaviour of angelfish with their young. Feeding them.

THE SPOTTED DEMONFISH, Satanoperca daemon by Lee Newman
Summary: Even though he is a professional aquarist, Lee's attempts to spawn and raise these demanding fish were unsuccessful. He invited others to co-operate in finding solutions, and added an addendum that Martha Clark of Detroit did finally succeed. Discussion of "neotropical bloat."

MY EXPERIENCES WITH DISCUS. PART I by Peter Gallagher
Summary: Why discus? Possible problems. Selection and purchase. Keeping and raising them.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH DISCUS. PART II by Peter Gallagher
Summary: Breeding discus - the ideal, and what can go wrong. Raising the fry. Diseases and parasites, and how to treat them.

THE BREEDING OF DISCUS by Ricky Grange
Summary: Tips for beginning discus breeders.

PHEW! THEY FINALLY DID IT! by Mike and Robin Kays
Summary: Breeding discus. After years of confusion and frustration, Mike and Robin finally bred Symphysodon discus using simple methods.

BREEDING Symphosodon discus by Rich Grenfell
Summary: Preparation, water changes, spawning, raising the young, culling. Another nice account of breeding discus.

SELECTING DISCUS by Beta Mahatvaraj
Summary: What to check for when buying discus, particularly from stores where lower grade specimens might be sold.

KEEPING AND BREEDING Taeniacara candidi by Rick Kraft
Summary: Rick found this dwarf cichlid a challenge to breed and raise.

new TILAPIA by William Berg
Summary: There over 100 species of tilapia, and some fish that are commonly called tilapia are really of the genus Oreochromis or Sarotherodon. They are widely bred on fish farms, and are easy to breed in aquariums. Some species are substrate spawners, others mouthbrooders.

BREEDING Thorichthys aureum by Mike Duffy
Summary: "Blue aureums" or "gold aureums" share many physical characteristics with firemouth cichlids. Mike describes their keeping and breeding, and why they are one of his favorite fish.