Breeding the eretmodus cyanostictus
Biparental mouthbrooder: the female broods the eggs first, then passes the young to the male, who carries the fry for another 7-14 days.
Step by step
Keep a group of 6 and let pairs form; each pair claims rocky territory.
100-150 L rocky tank with strong flow and hard alkaline water (pH 8-9); algae-grown rocks are a bonus.
Stable pair, good conditioning and strong water movement.
10-30 eggs. The female carries the brood for over 2 weeks, then the male incubates the fry for a further 7-14 days.
Fry are released after 3 weeks and need powdered flake and newly hatched brine shrimp.
- Weak current and poor oxygen
- Too small a group
- Mixing with boisterous mbuna
Male or female
Difficult to sex. Adult males tend to be larger, with slightly longer pelvic fins.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for mouthbrooders
- 21 days beforeGroup and condition
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
- Day 0Spawning
The female takes the eggs into her mouth and stops eating.
- Day 21Release
After about 3 weeks the female releases fully formed fry. Many breeders move her to a quiet tank first.
- Day 21First food
Fry eat crushed flake and baby brine shrimp straight away.
- Day 90Grow-out
Fry are a few centimetres long after about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
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.