Breeding the lugubris pike cichlid
Rarely bred in captivity. Believed to be a cave spawner with excellent parental care, but pairs are hard to form because males grow increasingly aggressive and often kill prospective mates.
Step by step
Raise 6 juveniles together and let a pair form, then remove the rest or provide a very large tank.
A 450 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.
100-300 eggs
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
Males have a white stripe on the dorsal fin; females are more colourful.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Hard: for experienced breeders.
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.