Metriaclima greshakei Breeding Question

mostlycichlids

mostlycichlids

Cichlid Specialist
Apr 27, 2006
2,664
3
38
New Mexico USA
www.freshwatermadness.com
Real Name
Paul
I have a Metriaclima greshakei whos belly is big almost bloated. I dont think she has malawi bloat, due to the feeding habbits and water quality. The ph stays at around 8.0 and water quality is pristine. She has been digging and defending her area leading me to believe she is breeding. Do they carry eggs anywhere besides the mouth? I cant find any info on the breeding process, I was hoping someone had som info on this or input?

Thanks,
Paul
 
What type of diet is your fish on and can you post a pic of her?

M. greshakei, like all other mbuna, are mouthbrooders. Prior to spawning, the unfertilized eggs are kept internally. After fertilization the eggs/fry are mouthbrooded.

I cannot recall an instance where a mbuna full of eggs appeared bloated due to the internal presence of eggs. The eggs are relatively small and mbuna have no problem mouthbrooding 30-40+ fry (which leads me to believe the there would only be a slight external indication, if any, that the fish contained eggs prior to the spawning event).
 
African Mbuna are mouth brooders. when carrying eggs, their buccal area under the mouth is 'full looking'. if the belly is swollen and she's definitely not bloated, she's eating far too much. feed less.
 
Hi there, I have the same type of fish, i brought them off a private seller, they are a breeding group of 4 2 male and 2 female, he said hes had spawns off them before. Ive had them in a 4" tank now for a month and a half, the temperature is never above 80 degree farienhight, the PH is between 7.6 -8.0 , everything normal when compared on testing strips. The only thing is the nitrates are abit high, around 50mg, ive gone water changes and suck the poo and stuff out with syphoner weekly, i use stress enzyme+ weekly. I have ocean rock forming caves, some slate and coral sand in my tank. I dont know why the breeding group havent started breeding already. All i have seen in males going white and shaking in front of female, Alpha male will tend to chase them off if he sees this or the female will just turn around and swim off. Any tips please?
 
What size tank and what else fish species is in the tank.. Welcome to AC..
 
And in what size tank they were with the previous owner? Also, how were the temp, pH and nitrates in that previous tank? Was that tank setup similar to the one they are in now?
 
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