Random Cichlid Baby Out of Nowhere...

gilfish

I was doing my weekly vacuum yesterday when I noticed a tiny baby orange-ish cichlid about 1/3" long. I have a fresh 55G with 7 med/large cichlids, 1 gourami, and a pleco. I hurried to get the divider as the bigger cichlids chased him around and was able to get the divider in there quickly to protect him. I have no idea how he survived even that 10 seconds. But of greater curiosity, none of the cichlids in my tank are the same species. I don't know which are males/females but none are the same. The only new fish I've bought in the last 3 months is a Jack Dempsey that came from a tank of 20-25 Jack Dempseys and Jack Dempseys only. So where the heck did this guy come from? Might he have been born under the gravel at some point and my vacuuming brought him up to the viewing area? Even if that is the case, I have never had any of the same cichlid species in my tank. Any ideas???

mattfishgeek

jack dempseys are mouth brooders, this could explain it

gilfish

OK so it's 6 weeks later now and now my orange cichlid will not eat anything and her mouth is all puffed up. How do I know if she is brooding babies? If she is, it's a damn miracle as there are no same-species fish in my tank and never have been. Still don't know where that original baby came from (baby from above message - disappeared after my divider leaned over a bit and let him out.)

BarbH

What are the different types of cichlids that you have in the tank? It is possible for some of the different cichlids to be able to cross breed.

gilfish

I have a pleco, a Jack Dempsey, a yellow lab, and 4 others that I just got from the "assorted cichlids tank" - not sure what they are. But none are orange or red or anything else even similar to the pregnant orange cichlid. I haven't added any new fish for months and this orange one has been in for 2+ years. ??? Thanks.

BarbH

If she is holding eggs or babies I would guess that one of the others are the father. I am not as familiar with African cichlids but if you were to post pictures of them I am sure one of the more knowledgable members could help you in identifying what you have, along with what ones might possibly mate with each other. Good luck

rrcoolj

First off, Jack Dempseys are defiantly NOT mouth brooders. They are pit spawners or open breeders in which the female lays eggs on like a piece of rock and the male comes behind and fertilizes them and they guard the fry. There is no mouthbrooding involved at all.

Second that small fish probably came from one of the other "assorted" fish in the tank. You really are not supposed to buy assorted fish because there is a high probability they are hybrids which are greatly frowned upon in the cichlid hobby. Mbunas cross breed all the time which is why it is suggested that you keep 1male to 2-3females to ensure this does not happen. It is also why you do not stock a tank with similar looking fish. You seem to be a novice and not interested in breeding/selling babies. As long as any fish bred stay in your tank then it is ok but please do NOT give that baby fish away or sell him. We have enough unknown hybrids in the hobby. The baby might be hiding or he could have gotten eatin.

gilfish

OK here you go. Thanks. I have a divider up so she can spit out the babies/eggs if she needs to. I'm pretty sure I see some movement inside her mouth now.

rrcoolj

By the looks of the video some of those fish will get too big to stay in that tank.