Breeding the viejita dwarf cichlid
Cave spawner: the female guards and tends the eggs and fry; a male kept as a single pair may help guard the fry once they are mobile.
Step by step
Keep one male with 2-4 females; each female claims a cave, pot or coconut shell.
A 40 L tank with a sponge or gentle filter, fine sand, many small caves, terracotta pots and leaf litter, with soft, slightly acidic water.
Soft, slightly acidic water, warmer temperatures, frequent water changes and live or frozen foods.
40-100 eggs
The female guards the wrigglers and then the free-swimming fry; feed microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp from day 4-5.
- Too few hiding places
- Hard, alkaline water
- Several males in a small tank
Male or female
Males are larger, more colourful and have longer fins. Females are smaller and turn bright yellow with black markings while spawning and guarding fry.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
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.