Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Hari on March 15, 2016, 11:47:22 AM

Title: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Hari on March 15, 2016, 11:47:22 AM

Hi Guys,

Any ideas on how to prevent hybrids in African Cichlid Tanks? I know that having a species specific tank is the best way. But are there any species that avoid interbreeding? I hear that putting fish of different shapes (e.g. Mbuna and Tropheus) prevents it to some extent. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Hari

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Ron on March 15, 2016, 01:42:45 PM

How scientific (and or long) of a response would you like?

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: mibwb on March 15, 2016, 02:28:10 PM

Simple all Male show tank...or put everyone on birth control ;)

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Hari on March 15, 2016, 03:31:12 PM

Thanks mibwb.

@Ron - Longer the better. Its okay if it is scientific:) Thanks

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Ron on March 16, 2016, 10:55:27 PM

Here's some good reading if you have the time and interest: Sex, speciation, and fishy physics (http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/090301_cichlidspeciation)

In a general sense, among african cichlids it's been shown that mating selection largely results from selection of the female. What cues is she influenced by? Mostly color, then shape, and then behavior. Keeping species of varying colors will help cut down on hybridization. Same goes for body shapes.

Tank space and opportunity will also factor into this. If you've got only a male D. compressiceps and a female mbuna in a tank, chances are things might take a turn for the worse. Having a tank where multiples species can spread out and become allured by their own, is a better alternative.

So what are you thinking about keeping and in what size tank?

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Ava333 on March 17, 2016, 11:24:27 AM

Here's what I started out doing (but my eyes got the better of me 😂).
1. Pick fish from different genera (Metriaclima, Cynotilapia, ect.)(I didn't do so good with this one!)
2. Pick fish of different colors and barring. Make sure the females aren't too similar also!
3. Pick fish of the same aggression level. That way the least aggressive fish can hold up to the most aggressive ones.
4. Figure out what you like, post it, and ask what people think. If there are any obvious cross breeding issues, someone will usually warn you (like yellow labs & red zebras). I got tons of help picking out my fish.
My main tank has been set up less than 6 months, but they're breeding now with no issues. However, I know I have to be willing to relocate a species, if needed.

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Hari on March 17, 2016, 01:37:30 PM

Thanks Ava

Title: Re: How to Prevent Hybrids
Post by: Ava333 on March 20, 2016, 09:28:01 AM

Guess I should have stated that it's a 6' 125 gallon AND I started with 8 of each species so there would be plenty of fish to spread out aggression and lots of breeding options for the females. Not positive things would have went as well as they have if I had ordered 3 or 4 of each species and uped the number of species.

Are you stocking a new tank? Or tweeking an existing one? What size?