Ok, I have a female firemouth, ( well I think she is ) any ways I noticed the fish movie gravel, and eating or clean a pot that has algea on it. She has been moving gravel, and there is a think haing from her vent. is that to lay eggs, or what? here is a pic of the vent click on it to make the pic big.
Wil she lay eggs with no male? do I need to go get her a male now?
Firemouth Cichlids are egglayers so they don't really become "pregnant". They do become full of eggs though. If the female gets a round belly and it doesn't change much when she hasn't eaten for several hours, she probably is full of eggs. If you have a male in with her they could spawn but if no male is around, she will just re-absorb the eggs into her body after a time.
If there is no male, a female fish could lay eggs but without a male to fertilize them they will not hatch...
I read a bunch of websites about females moving around gravel...It is a sign they are making a crater to lay their eggs...If you don't want to take on the task of raising fry, don't get a male and the eggs won't hatch..They will be layed but not hatched..Since female firemouths are not mouthbrooders and are egglayers...it is your choice...
Sorry it took me soooo long I had to make sure the egg part was right...about if she is ready to spawn or not and looks like she just might be ready to spawn....and the moving of gravel part I had to be sure the answer was correct also...........
here is a link of male and female firemouths... http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/firemouth.htm
males have the red belly and throat and females have pinkish coloring on the belly and throat...does yours have red??
I also saw a thing that if a female cichlid doesn't eat for a couple of hours she is ready to lay eggs...
Cichlids are egglayers so they don't really become "pregnant". They do become full of eggs though. If the female gets a round belly and it doesn't change much when she hasn't eaten for several hours, she probably is full of eggs. If you have a male in with her they could spawn but if no male is around, she will just re-absorb the eggs into her body after a time.
If there is no male, a female fish could lay eggs but without a male to fertilize them they will not hatch...
I read a bunch of websites about females moving around gravel...It is a sign they are making a crater to lay their eggs...If you don't want to take on the task of raising fry, don't get a male and the eggs won't hatch..They will be layed but not hatched..Since female firemouths are not mouthbrooders and are egglayers...it is your choice...
thank you, did you look at the picture and see the vent? She is moving stuff like crazy and moving pots, I am sad to say I called every local and out of town buisness with in a 100 mile radius, no one has males I would have lover for her to have one, but will get one to grow out
oh and she has made a crater, a big crater
Sorry it took me soooo long I had to make sure the egg part was right...about if she is ready to spawn or not and looks like she just might be ready to spawn....and the moving of gravel part I had to be sure the answer was correct also.......and she definitely is a female....
thank you so much!!! I was waiting for that answer. I waited for a few hours :lol: HAve a wonderful night and again thanks ! I am going to get a few babies in a few days and grow them out.
No Problem Hakunamakarla...
They are definitely BEAUTIFUL cichlids and good luck at becoming a new grandmama again ....:dance2:..
I always use Google.com....just type in any question and a bundle of websites pop up...that is how I do my research.....and how about a MOM and POP fish store....but the bigger the fish the more expensive it gets...I would gladly travel 100 miles for my female cichlid anytime...just to have babies....WWWEEEEEEEEE...and make sure you have a back up tank for the ma and pa and the little buggers...the other fish might think the fry are shrimp and gobble they are gone....we lost 2 yellow electric fry because of our other cichlids....But good luck....and go the extra 100 for your baby.....peaceful drive anyway....and if the grandkids are in school go during the day....or take them on a field trip with you and go instead.....
No male I have been looking for one every where but no luck. I will have to grow several out to find one for her, and she is not eating now, whats up with that? she just hangs near a pot, and chases others away. she will let the food fall around her and not eat
.......
I would have lover for her to have one, but will get one to grow out 