i have 7 african chichlids.i am not sure how many males or females (dont know the difference). how can i tell them apart and how do i know if any are pregnant? also what do thier fry look like?thanks to all in advance!
2007-09-22 05:13:22 · 3 answers · asked by fishin for answer 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
First, you need to know what kind of fish you keep. "African" cichlids comprise fish from all over Africa and is by no means a species of fish.
There are two main breeding habits in "Africans" - substrate spawners and mouthbrooders.
Mouthbrooders do, in a sense, get pregnant. Females pick up the fertilized eggs in their mouths and hold them until the eggs have hatched and the fry are free swimming. This is referred to as "holding". You can tell they're holding because their throat gets swollen and they'll stop eating for the 21-30 days they hold their fry.
The substrate spawners don't get pregnant in any way. They dig pits or use flat rocks to lay their eggs and then protect this territory with an impressive dedication. Most of these cichlids are monogamous and pair up for breeding, often permanently. You can tell they've bred because they'll hang close to their breeding spot and spend their time fending off the rest of the fish. With some species they'll go as far as hunting down and killing the other fish. Depending on how the tank is set up, you may also see the eggs easily.
To sex your cichlids you need to know what type you have. With some you can't tell the difference except through behaviour, while others they'll be different, sometimes completely different, in colour or size.
The fry look like tiny, usually colourless or very faded colour, versions of their parents.
2007-09-22 07:25:29 · answer #1 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Males generally have 3 or more eggspots on their anal fin, females may have 1 or 2. Females will fill out when pregnant. Fry look like baby fish but are hatched, not born.
2007-09-22 05:49:20 · answer #2 · answered by TopPotts 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are not pregnant, they're egglayers
If you could provid a pic of your cichlids or tell us what species exactly you have, we might be able to help you sex them
EB
Feel free to email me
2007-09-22 05:50:09 · answer #3 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋