Breeding the yellow sand cichlid
Biparental mouthbrooder: the female holds the eggs first, then the male takes over the brood.
Step by step
Keep a group of 6-8; pairs form and the sandy territory is shared.
200-250 L tank with a fine sand floor and some rocks, hard alkaline water (pH 8-9) and calm tank-mates.
Stable group, good feeding and a clean sand area.
The female holds the eggs for 9-12 days, then the male carries them for about another 10 days (about 3 weeks in total). No reliable egg count found.
Fry are released after about 3 weeks. Feed crushed flake and newly hatched brine shrimp.
- Coarse sharp gravel
- Aggressive tank-mates
- Poor water quality
Male or female
Males tend to be slightly more colourful than females.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Takes some experience.
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.