Jewels

[Pellet113]

I just got two jewel chiclids.. Both appear to be pregnant. Will the babies be born with no fertilization, I have slate. Should I buy the male. They are all alone in the tank. HELP.

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, they won't be 'pregnant', as such, just carrying eggs.

The eggs are fertilised by the male after they've been laid, so they won't be fertile unless there is a male present in the tank. I wouldn't want to try keeping three in the same tank; the 'odd' female would be bullied, probably killed by the pair.

You might want to add the male and remove the female that he doesn't chose, as most cichlids do like to pick their own mates, but you'll have to watch them very closely, and be ready to move the second female very quickly.

 

[Pellet113]

They are hiding away, in the rocks. Should I get the mal before or after they lay the eggs

 

[fluttermoth]

You need a male there to fertilise the eggs as they're being laid; after would be too late.

I don't want to rain on your parade or anything, but have you thought about what you'd do with the fry, if you do get them to breed? There's not that big a market for a couple of hundred aggressive cichlids