Breeding the green terror
Open spawner on hard surfaces such as flat rocks; the female tends the eggs and larvae while the male defends the territory.
Step by step
Buy a group and let pairs form.
A 55 gallon (200 L) tank with flat rocks and caves, 24-27 C.
Warm water and good food. Pairs clean a flat rock.
Up to about 400-600 eggs; hatch in about 3-4 days.
Feed baby brine shrimp and crushed flake. Parents guard fry. Separate at 3 cm.
- Tank too small
- Pairing two males
- Poor water quality
Male or female
Males are much larger than females and adult males grow a pronounced forehead hump. The white or gold-orange edge on the tail and dorsal fin is a colour form, not a sign of sex.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for open substrate spawners
- 21 days beforeLet a pair form
Grow up a group and let a pair choose each other. Give them a flat stone or broad leaf.
- Day 0Spawning
The pair cleans the stone and lays rows of eggs. Both guard them.
- Day 3Eggs hatch
Wrigglers hatch in 2–4 days and are moved to pits by the parents.
- Day 7Free swimming
Feed baby brine shrimp several times a day. Parents often herd the fry.
- Day 42Grow-out
Move fry to a grow-out tank before the parents spawn again.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Grow up a group and let a pair choose each other. Give them a flat stone or broad leaf.
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.