Pregnant Cichlid

  • Get the NEW AquariaCentral iOS app --> http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1227181058 // Android version will be out soon!

onelivewire

Cichlid Patrol
Sep 14, 2006
44
0
0
Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Recently I purchased 2 Hemichromis bimaculatus (Jewel) cichlids. One of them is male, the other, female. Both are doing very well, and have become very vibrant in my 95 g. Just earlier today, I was feeding the fish, when I noticed the female jewel. Her mid-section was extremely bloated, and I was sure she either has eated WAY too much recently, or is pregnant with eggs. I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped a few shots. Having never seen a cichlid in a breeding environment, I really don't know what to do.

I'm posting pictures, because I really don't know if she IS pregnant.

If she is, what should I do? I have plenty of empty 10-50 gallon tanks sitting around, in case I should transfer the fish for mating. Again, I've never been through this before. I would very much like to raise any offspring.

Thanks much :)

FISH PICTURES BELOW!!! !!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99349177@N00/245051991/ (best pic)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99349177@N00/245051997/in/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99349177@N00/245051993/in/set-72157594287203856/

Also, I can never embed photos...
 

sumthin fishy

I eat spam
Aug 22, 2005
1,968
49
51
42
central california
Real Name
mike
That does not look like pregnant to me. They are egg layers, so she will lay her eggs and the male will fertilize them. She will not apear large like this, as the babies are not growing inside her. It looks more like a case of bloat to me. What are you feeding them? Many african species need a diet heavy in veggy matter. High protien diets will result in "malawi bloat" (from the misconception that all cichlids are carnivors). I would monitor the situation and if things get worse, take steps to correct it. If it does get worse, cooked shelled peas will act the same way prunes do in humans ;) I have also heard about using epsom salts, but do not know how that works(proper dosing, length of treatment etc)

If they do lay eggs, I would wait and see how it turns out. They may be able to protect them untill they hatch, at which time you can remove the fry. It may take them a few tries to get it right. If they can't keep the batch from being eaten after a few tries, wait untill they are lain, and move the eggs to an empty tank, in an area with some current to keep the eggs oxygenated. You will want to covor the filter intake with a sponge (or use a sponge filter) to avoid the babies from being sucked up when they hatch.
 

onelivewire

Cichlid Patrol
Sep 14, 2006
44
0
0
Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Thanks so much :) her stomach seems to have gotten smaller.

As for food, I am alternating between 2 pellet foods and a more $$$ frozen food that my LFS said is "the best" I will check to make sure there is not too much protein in their diets.

Thanks again!
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store