How to Tell When a Cichlid Is Going to Have Fish

A female cichlid ready to begin the mating process develops eggs inside her body, giving her a broad side-to-side appearance in the region of her belly near the anal fin. She will become noticeably broader than the male. In cichlid species where males and females are identical, this will be your first tip-off to which of your fish is the feminine gender.

The female's developing voluptuous figure signals the mature male to make preparations of his own. You'll notice him sucking up the substrate in his mouth and spitting it out elsewhere in the tank as he endeavors to create a flat, level area for mating. Provide a few smooth, flat rocks in secluded, cave-like areas around your tank or clay flowerpots turned on their sides and the male won't have to dig his way down to the aquarium's glass bottom.

After his brooding pit is complete, a male cichlid attempts to win the attention of his mate and lead her to the pit to procreate. His coloration becomes more intense to signal his intent and the males of most species perform an intricate wiggling dance accompanied by flaring fins in an attempt to lure her to the breeding pit. Once there, the female will lay eggs and scoop them up in her mouth. Mistaking spots on the male's anal fin for eggs, she'll attempt to suck them up too, at which time the male will fertilize the eggs in her mouth.

Although some species of cichlids are more aggressive, male cichlids preparing to procreate usually become more aggressive toward males of their own species, sometimes killing them off. This is a good time to remove the aggressive male and broad-bellied female to a second breeding tank. If you leave them in the tank, the male will usually stand guard to chase away any other aquarium residents who happen to venture into the area.

If you miss all the other signals of impending procreation, you may just notice that one of your female fish seems to be missing. You'll find her resting near the bottom of the brooding pit or in a secluded cave nearby. Her cheeks will be puffed full of the eggs she's holding in her mouth, where they will develop into baby fish and be ready to swim on their own in about four weeks. The female doesn't eat during this time and inexperienced females may become so hungry they end up eating their own young.