Black Belt Cichlids..

[star71]

Hallo! :hi: This is my first time to the forums here, and I have a bit of a pressing question. I'm a bit of a dummy when it comes to breeding...

I have a Black Belt Cichlid (Reggie) that has lived quite happily in a 2ft tank (dunno how, she's full size from what I gather)... I've now put her in a bigger tank, which she promptly reorganised to suit herself, hehe.

I've tried finding her a mate, but I can't find anyone within fish transporting distance that has a fully grown male, let alone one that Reg would get along with!!

My question is this...Reggie's now laid some eggs (she must be happy!) and I was just wondering if Cichlids can inseminate their own eggs.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Nope :hi:

That would mean they would have to be a hemaphrodite.... but even hemaphrodites (such as nudibranchs) wont inseminate themselves... that doesnt make sense genetically.

[star71]

Thanks, I figured as much, can't help wishful thinking, though. How long will the eggs stay "alive"?

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I think they are as good as dead if they arent fertalized right away. Max a day or two. She might keep them there longer in hopes but will start to eat the dead ones.

Dont worry, she'll probebly lay lots.

-Diana