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Crossbreeding South African and Central American cichlids?

6K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  iamntbatman 
#1 · (Edited)
I have a female Salvini cichlid, an egg laying South American cichlid, she is the only of her kind or from that area in the tank, all other tank inhabitants are from South Africa, they include a pair of Frontosa's, many peacock cichlids, and many mbuna's, which are all mouth brooders and from South Africa, and I have had spawns from many of the South African cichlids in my tank, but recently I noticed the Central American, the only egg layer in the tank, has laid eggs on the side of a rock and is guarding them quite passionately, my question is, as she is the only of her kind or region in the tank, is there any possible way that these eggs are fertilised, I dont believe this species of cichlid, the Salvini cichlid of South America is hermaphoric or asexual, I believe it would need a partner to reproduce, are any of the mbuna's or other South African's able to fertilise, which is unlikely as they are mouth brooders, but I am uncertain why she would be prompted to lay eggs without a potential mate, any ideas? :-?

Closest thing to her region or compatibility that has ever been in tank with her is a Texas cichlid large male, but he has not been in tank for over a month and a half as he was traded toward other cichlids as he became too dominant in the tank, surely if was his spawn would have seen eggs long ago? :|

Can post photos if needed, thanks. :)
 
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#2 ·
Most likely they are not fertilized. I had a female firemouth who laid eggs when she was alone in a QT tank. And my lone Angelfish also consistently lays eggs every month. Not sure what prompts them to do so.
 
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