Breeding the cupid cichlid
Biparental substrate spawner that lays its eggs on the side of a rock, often one partly buried in sand. The female tends the eggs while the male patrols; after hatching the fry are moved to a pit, and both parents guard the free-swimming fry for about 6 weeks. A dry-to-wet season simulation (calm, then daily soft-water changes) helps trigger spawning.
Step by step
Raise 6 juveniles together and let a pair form, then remove the rest or provide a very large tank.
A 100 L tank with a sponge or gentle filter, flat stones, clay caves or flowerpots, and a sand bed.
Strong conditioning on frozen and live food plus a large water change with slightly warmer water.
Eggs hatch in 3-4 days at 23-24 °C; the fry absorb their yolk in a pit for about 4 more days before swimming freely.
Both parents guard the brood; feed fry newly hatched brine shrimp and finely crushed flake.
- A tank too small for the pair's territory
- Tankmates the pair will chase
- Removing the parents too early
Male or female
Difficult: males grow a little larger, are deeper-bodied and develop longer filaments on the dorsal and tail fins. The blue head-stripe pattern often quoted is not reliable, and fish take 18-24 months to mature.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Takes some experience.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for cave spawners
- 21 days beforeSet up caves
Give one cave per pair or female, plus a varied diet.
- Day 0Spawning in the cave
Eggs are laid inside the cave and guarded, usually by the male.
- Day 4Eggs hatch
Eggs hatch in 3–7 days depending on the species and temperature.
- Day 10Fry leave the cave
Feed baby brine shrimp and crushed food. Plecos need wood and vegetables.
- Day 60Grow-out
Fry grow on in their own tank.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Give one cave per pair or female, plus a varied diet.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.