My jewel cichlids (- picture inside)

[phillips321]

Here is a picture of my Male jewel, lately they have been gaurding this little crevice in the ornaments. It is a bit like a little dug out.

There is allways either the male or female watching it, they take in turns. The male seems to spend most of his time looking after it. They have only just started doing this (today), there old hideout seems to no longer interest them.

I have had a look in the little dug out and cant see a thing in there so im pretty sure there are no eggs in there.

Are they getting ready to breed? When i got them from my lfs they were a breeding pair and they already had some succesful breeding sessions.

I hope they're getting ready to do their business, is their anything i can do to help them along? A little more food then usual? 50% water change with cold water? Turn lights on for longer per day?

Cheers guys

 

[WILDER]

It's cute.

 

[tbordeau]

I have 2 jewel cichlids myself and tey seem to lay eggs at least once a month. They do start to dig and make a place to lay the eggs. I keep my water around 80-82 degrees. From what I have read at this temperature it promotes the breeding pattern. After they lay the eggs (150-200) it takes about 1-2 days to notice them forming. In about 1 week they are swimming all around in my tank. Now the problem with keeping them alive with other cichlids is the problem. And if they make it I cannot keep all of them because of my limited space. I have yet to find anyone who wants them. I have some pictures at home I will send later tonight so you can see what they look like when they are moving around. Hope this helps...

 

[phillips321]

cheers

they did not dig the little pit themselfves tho. it is part of the decor. They seem to take it in turns which is really cool. I like watching when they change roles.

it takes about 1-2 days to notice them forming

Do you mean i cant see them with the naked eye? I have tried my best to look into the tank but its a little awkward to see much from the position.

How big are they eggs once they first pop out of mum? I thought they were relatively large (a grain of rice would make 3or4 eggs). Have i got the size wrong?

 

[tbordeau]

Yes you can see the eggs with the naked eye. I would say about 3-4 make up about the size of one grain of rice yes. First you see the clear looking or pink looking egg. Then in a couple of days they seem to have a black dot in each one. Then they start wiggling around in the eggs. Then they start to emerge from egg (process takes 3-5 days)..then before you know it they are swimming. Both parents try to protect them, but I have this one cichlid that eats them. I have even put up a divider and he manages to suck them through the holes...here is what he looks like. Not sure what type of cichlid he is, but he is a hungry little thing. Well I cannot get the picture to upload...

 

[phillips321]

ive just seen the female digging a pit about 12 inches away from where their gaurding in the picture.

she eats a load of stones then spits them out away from the hole.

Do jewels dig the holes before they lay eggs or after they lay eggs? Is she digging a hole coz she has eggs inside her ready to be fertalised?

 

[tbordeau]

I can always tell my female is going to lay eggs because her belly gets pudgy. Almost fatty looking. Mine dig holes before they lay the eggs. I have all the pictures of my male and female with the babies beside them but for some reason it will not let me upload. If you want you can reach me at tbordeau@houston.rr.com and I can send you these pictures through some other email.

 

[alfdawg]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum. I have been all over the web trying to find some info on sexing jewels. I have had few if any reponses in forums. I stumbled across this post and am wondering if you guys might be able to help. I have not figured out the posting of pics here as I just started. I can email them if you want to see them until I get registration complete at image shack(having problems activating from work) . Would you guys mind posting some pics of your jewels so maybe that might help? Thanks

 

[PaintballFan07]

I miss having jewels now. Wats is the smallest tank size they can be kept in by themselves? 10g? I am thinking of putting 3 in a 10g or 4. Is there a sure fire way of distinguishing male or female? N how long does it take for them to mature. I have kept n breed (accidentally) in the past but i ciant remember any details. thanx

 

[alfdawg]

They say the smallest is a 20g for a pair. I think I got it to work. Hope the pics show up.

Yeah. I hope these will help. If you need more pics let me know. Sorry about the quality , my camera stinks. I would rather by fish and fish stuff than a new camera. Thanks

 

[WILDER]

http/www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichlid%2C%20Jewel.htm

 

[fufanu360]

your jewels look very small

 

[alfdawg]

They are only about 2" or a little bigger.

 

[phillips321]

my jewels are turqoise jewels. They are both kept in a 13Gal together fine. They are very placid fish, i have read loads of reports that they can be wuite aggressive but ive never had any trouble with except for when i introduced them into their new tank.

My male jewel is a little smaller then my female, his chin is also a much more redder colour, the female takes on a more brown tint then the male. Both of my jewels only have a spot covering their gills. Mine are allways much more colour then any i see in the pictures.

 

[phillips321]

i have just gone downstairs to check on my fish and they have some babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they look like little brown dots that vibrate. The male is being very very aggressive, ive never seen him like this. The pit they dug is not very deap at all, these babaies are well smart. The male keep picking up the babies and putting them back into the "pit"

IM SOOO HAPPY