Keyhole Cichlids

[backtotropical]

as title

 

[england]

well males tend to be nearly double the size of females and there fins tend to be long and pointie where females are ususally tapered.....the only 100% sure way to tell is sexing them at breeding time,male has long and pointie breeding tube where as females is short fat and stumpy
you should find this link helpful
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Cichlids...eyhole-Cichlid/

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks Nelly.

 

[england]

your welcome

 

[backtotropical]

Quick update. Not even had my keyholes for a week and they have laid eggs already.

Male is being super aggressive towards other fish if they go anywhere near. Any info on keyhole breeding appreciated.

How long do the eggs take to hatch etc?

Cheers

 

[backtotropical]

Quick update. Not even had my keyholes for a week and they have laid eggs already.

Male is being super aggressive towards other fish if they go anywhere near. Any info on keyhole breeding appreciated.

How long do the eggs take to hatch etc?

Cheers

Ok. Found it. I was being lazy.

Quote from 'Aquarium Fishes of the World' by Dr Herbert R Axelrod, Dr Warren E Burgess etc etc....

"Sexes ae not easy to distinguish, as both develop long filaments on the dorsal and anal fins. This is a beautiful and highly desireable cichlid; the only thing which can be said against it is that it is not very easy to spawn. However, when they are ready to spawn and the breeding tubes begin to project from the vent, it will be noticed that the female's tube is heavier. A well-mated pair will spawn in the usual cichlid manner: a smooth surface is cleaned off and the eggs are placed there and fertilised. Both fish usually take turns fanning and mouthing the eggs, which can number up to 300 but are usually less. Hatching takes place in 5 days, and the parents usually take excellent care of their offspring, but of course there are exceptions."

So, i still don't know, should i remove the fry once hatched to avoid the other fish eating them? Any special feeding requirements for the fry? etc etc...

As said before, any more info appreciated.

Cheers

BTT

 

[Squidman]

Someone please correct me if im wrong, but i think that male keyhole cichlids generally are a tad bigger then females and there are some other ways to sex these fish but i can remember them off of the top of my head.

squidman

 

[backtotropical]

OK. I woke up this morning to find that the eggs are gone. I don't know what happened. Is this common?

From what i read i thought the parents usually defend the eggs quite aggressively.

 

[england]

well theres a few possibilitys,1 you have two females they do all the same but obviously no fert eggs,
2 you have maybe disturbed them by looking in on them two much fish dont take kindly to this and if the get annoyed they may well distroy the batch,
3 you have other fish in the tank?-eggs make a beautiful snack highly nutriusos,
4 this is there first ever batch and dont know what there doing-practice makes perfect maybe a few attemps

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks again Nelly.

They have spawned again now. This is day 3. Babies in 2 days........hopefully!

 

[backtotropical]

The eggs, which were originally clear, have now turned white. Does that mean they have went bad, or is that normal?

Thanks in advance.

BTT

 

[england]

white as in fungy?yes that means the bad...sorry mate but nxt is not long

 

[backtotropical]

white as in fungy?yes that means the bad...sorry mate but nxt is not long

I don't think it looks like fungi. They appear to have just changed colour?

 

[Waterbox]

How big are your keyholes?

 

[backtotropical]

I have 4 keyholes ranging from 1" to 2" in length.

They have laid batch no 3 today!

Fingers crossed!!!

Would a water change maybe help the eggs, or is it better to leave it alone?