Crenicichla regani Breeding Guide

How to breed Crenicichla regani, a dwarf pike cichlid that spawns on the ceiling of a cave in very soft, acidic water with biparental brood care.

Overview

Crenicichla regani is one of the smallest pike cichlids, reaching a maximum of about 12 cm. According to AquaInfo it occurs in the Rio Tapajos within the Amazon basin of Brazil, where the water is extremely soft and acidic. It is a cave spawner that has been bred in aquaria, making it one of the more accessible dwarf pikes for the home breeder.

Sexing

AquaInfo reports that females show eye-like markings (ocelli) in the dorsal fin that males lack. When ready to spawn the female develops striking coloration, with a black head and tail, a white belly and an orange-red dorsal fin, which makes a ripe female easy to recognise.

Conditioning

As an obligate carnivore the species should be conditioned on high-quality live and frozen foods. AquaInfo describes breeding in very soft, acidic water, so a diet rich in protein combined with stable, soft-water conditions helps bring a pair into spawning condition.

Breeding Setup

AquaInfo notes that this species is a ceiling spawner and requires a cave with ample space, because the eggs are attached to the roof of the cavity. Recommended breeding parameters are a temperature of 25-27 C, a very low pH of about 4.8-5.0, KH of 0 and conductivity of roughly 15-40 microsiemens. A sand substrate and dim, blackwater-style conditions suit the species.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

According to AquaInfo the female lays the eggs individually on the cave ceiling, spaced apart to reduce the risk of fungus, with a clutch of roughly 100-150 eggs that are around 1 mm and pink-red in colour. Soft, acidic, warm water is the principal spawning trigger.

Egg & Fry Care

AquaInfo describes biparental care in which the pair take turns inside the cave tending the clutch. Eggs hatch after about three days and the fry become free-swimming after roughly seven days, at first showing a dark longitudinal stripe. Sexual dimorphism becomes visible at about six weeks, at which point larger and smaller juveniles can be sorted.

Common Challenges

The most demanding aspect is maintaining the very soft, acidic water the species requires for successful egg development. As with other pike cichlids, pair aggression can be a problem, and spacing of eggs on the cave roof is the female's natural defence against fungus in such conditions.