Breeding the utinta
Maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries the eggs and fry for up to about 4 weeks.
Step by step
Keep a shoal of 10-15 with more females than males; males display in mid-water and lead females to a spawning site.
200+ L tall, long tank with rock stacks at the sides, open swimming space, hard alkaline water (pH 8-9) and clean, well-oxygenated water.
A big shoal, stable water, regular water changes and good feeding with small foods; males display in the open water above rocks.
Small broods of 5-20 eggs, carried by the female for up to 4 weeks.
The female releases fry after 3-4 weeks. Feed crushed flake and newly hatched brine shrimp; sort fry out as they grow.
- Keeping too few fish so males fight
- Mixing with large boisterous cichlids
- Poor oxygenation and overfeeding
Male or female
Males are much more colourful (blue and/or yellow); females are plain silvery-brown.
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.