Interesting Combination

[minxfishy]

So for the last couple of days, my female Nicaraguese and Male firemouth have been digging a fortress (thats all I can describe it as) in almost a 1/4 of my tank space (5ft) large hole in the middle, gravel build up on all sides.

They spend all their time together and are now doing the normal breeding display to each other

The FM is being re-homed tomorrow (member from here) so their relationship will be broken up but I didnt think these fish would breed, in fact they used to hate each other, but apparently with a lack of the opposite sex of their own kind, they have decided to give it a go

If they lay and fertilise the eggs in the next 24 hrs, are there any chances of this producing fry?

 

[Davo86]

I guess it should be possible, especially considering that many other central american cichlids are known to cross successfully

Edit: Also after a quick google, It seems Nics have been known to hybridise with Convicts so I can't see why they couldn't with FMs

 

[minxfishy]

Oh really, well that would be some weird combo, doubt much change of surivial with the other fish around though, not that I think it would be a good idea to let them live anyway.

 

[Curiosity101]

Might be nice to see 1 grow to maturity so long as it was healthy of course. Will you be tempted to try to save any if they do spawn together and the eggs hatch?

 

[minxfishy]

No I wont, I shall let nature take its course and with a couple of sevs' Oscar, GT amongst others in the tank too, they dont stand much chance, Im not a fan of hybridised fish.

So far no eggs I can see, but its difficult and the FM goes tomorrow to his new home.

 

[Glenbo1981]

Minxy save one man and put it in your smaller tank to grow,just to see what it looks like,it might be stunning.

 

[minxfishy]

OK, they have laid eggs, inside a coconut, both keeping a watchful eye over the eggs, mother fanning furiously, other tankmates down the other end of the tank

Oh heck.

The fortress

Mother in coconut, father keeping eye out

 

[Curiosity101]

Minxy you demon. Splitting up a newly wed couple with young children! There should be laws against it... hehe.

Are you not even slightly curious to raise a few if they hatch? I wouldn't be able to help myself.

You could argue it's natural in the sense it's physically possible, it's not as if you've hybrid-ised these guys in a lab. They chose to do so of their own accord.

 

[minxfishy]

They may not even hatch, no idea if this combo actually works yet, I shall see what happens, maybe keep a couple to see, trouble is if they survive to a size, I wouldnt be able to keep them or sell them I doubt anyone would want them. We shall see what happens.