Breeding Cyprichromis microlepidotus

Breeding guide for Cyprichromis microlepidotus, an open-water maternal mouthbrooder from Lake Tanganyika that spawns in midwater and carries small broods of 5-10 eggs.

Overview

Cyprichromis microlepidotus is an open-water schooling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, reaching a standard length of around 11 cm. It is a maternal mouthbrooder with the unusual habit of spawning in midwater rather than on a substrate; the genus Cyprichromis comprises several such pelagic-spawning species. It is an adapted zooplankton feeder with a small mouth.

Sexing

Males are more colourful than females, displaying the iridescent body and finnage colour for which the species is kept. Mature males also develop the egg-shaped growths on the ends of the ventral fins used during courtship.

Conditioning

Because it is a small-mouthed zooplankton feeder, condition the fish on small frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and Daphnia. Seriously Fish recommends several smaller feeds per day rather than one large meal. A large group in stable, hard, alkaline water keeps fish in spawning condition.

Breeding Setup

This is a shoaling species that should never be kept in fewer than 8-10 fish, with larger groups being better. Provide ample open swimming space in the upper water column so males can establish three-dimensional breeding territories. Maintain temperature of 24-27 °C and hard, alkaline water.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Males form three-dimensional breeding territories in open water and use the egg-shaped growths on their ventral fins to attract females. Spawning takes place in midwater, with the female catching the eggs in her mouth; published field study records each female depositing her clutch of around nine eggs in a single male's territory.

Egg & Fry Care

The female carries a small brood of only 5-10 eggs for up to four weeks before releasing the fry. The relatively large eggs and small brood produce well-developed fry that can be raised on small live and frozen foods after release.

Common Challenges

Small brood sizes mean yields per spawn are low. The species is also sensitive to water quality and prone to stress if kept in too small a group, so maintaining a large, settled shoal in pristine water is essential for reliable breeding.