Breeding the rusty cichlid
Maternal mouthbrooder with one male to several females; the female carries the eggs for up to 3 weeks.
Step by step
Keep one male with 3-5 females; a lone female is harassed to exhaustion and two males will fight.
150-250 L rockwork tank with many caves, hard alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.6) and strong filtration. Keep a bare 60 L tank handy to move a holding female.
Stable warm water (26-28 C), regular water changes and a good male-to-female ratio; the male displays and leads a female to a flat rock or cave.
5-60 eggs per brood, carried for up to 3 weeks.
The female releases free-swimming fry after 3-4 weeks. Feed finely crushed flake, spirulina powder and newly hatched brine shrimp from day one; do small daily water changes. Remove the female after release so she can recover.
- Too few females so the male harasses them
- Mixing similar-looking mbuna that hybridise
- Soft or acidic water
Male or female
Sexes look similar; males usually have more egg spots on the anal fin, tend to be larger and more colourful, and some develop an elongated anal fin.
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.