Anomalochromis thomasi Breeding Guide

Breeding the African butterfly cichlid Anomalochromis thomasi, a peaceful substrate spawner that lays on flat rocks with biparental fry care.

Overview

Anomalochromis thomasi, the African butterfly cichlid, is a small West African cichlid of about 6-8 cm from forest streams in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, where the water is tannin-stained and slightly acidic. It is described as very peaceful for a cichlid and is a biparental substrate spawner that is unfussy about water chemistry, breeding in both slightly acidic and slightly alkaline conditions.

Sexing

Males are larger than females and tend to show less distinct black markings. Females in spawning condition are noticeably round in the belly when full of eggs. Sexing is otherwise subtle, so a settled group allowed to pair off naturally is the most reliable route to a compatible pair.

Conditioning

These are unfussy feeders that accept quality cichlid pellets plus varied live and frozen foods. A diet built on these brings females into the round-bellied egg-bearing state and supports a productive spawn.

Breeding Setup

Breeding water can be 23-27 C with a pH of 5.5-7.5 and hardness across roughly 18-268 ppm, since the species is surprisingly tolerant of water chemistry. Provide flat rocks and broad plant leaves as spawning surfaces; a planted tank suits this peaceful species, which becomes territorial only when breeding.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Pairs spawn onto the substrate. The female prepares multiple potential sites on flat rocks and leaves, and up to about 500 eggs may be fertilised in a single spawn. Stable warm water and a bonded territorial pair are the main triggers.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs hatch within about 48 hours, after which the parents move the brood between shallow substrate depressions several times before the fry become free-swimming around 72 hours later. The brood is mainly tended by the female, with the male sometimes relieving her. Once free-swimming the fry need roughly another 12 hours to absorb their yolk sacs and then take microworm and brine shrimp nauplii; parental care continues for about a month.

Common Challenges

The species is forgiving of water chemistry, so the main considerations are providing suitable flat spawning surfaces and not crowding the territorial pair during brood care. Under stress this cichlid may bury itself in soft substrate, so a calm, well-structured tank helps a pair settle and raise fry.