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Checkerboard Cichlids

  • Thread starter Half-Black Black-tails
  • Start date
H

Half-Black Black-tails

Guest
I am not that sure if they are Dwarf or what, i haven't been able to find a lot of info on them.

Anyways, i was wondering [if these questions can be answered]:

1. How big do they get?
2. What kind of tank should they breed in?
3. How to breed and sex them?
4. How hard are they to breed?

If no one knows, then answer the following

What kind of a dwarf Chiclid can live and breed in a 10 gallon tank with Guppies [4 Guppies] and water at 7.2-7.4 pH?
 

cootwarm

New Member
5 Year Member
Messages
429
Location
Burlington, Vermont
I don't know about Checkerboard cichlids but...

Apistogramma trifasciata or borellii would do fine in a 10 gallon with 4 guppies, as long as the water isn't too hard and the tank has some plants and caves or driftwood.

The borellii can be sexed at a younger age than the trifasciata. The borellii are also probably easier to spawn.

Michael
 
H

Half-Black Black-tails

Guest
Thanks

Anyone ever heard of N. Multifasciataus????
 
H

Half-Black Black-tails

Guest
If you read above, you would see i am looking for some Dwarf Chiclids to keep and breed in a 10 gallon tank!!!!!!
 

Rolo

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
415
Location
Bremen, Germany
Hi,

what checkerboard cichlids do you mean? There are several species within the genus Dicrossus, mostly D. filamentosus or D. maculatus.
The D. maculatus become much bigger than the D. filamentosus.

greetings,
Rolo
 
H

Half-Black Black-tails

Guest
All i've ever seen are small Checkboards which are less than an inch long, probably babes.

They are a lightish-medium coppery brown with dark brown or black 'checkboards'

Can't help otherwise, the fish shop knows little more and not what type they are.
 

Neil

New Member
Messages
1,583
Location
Sacramento, Ca.
Half-Black Black-tails,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Although Rolo is correct that Dicrossus sp. are all typically refered to as checkerboards, I will take _BaDgUy_s suggestion and assume that we are talking about D. filamentosa. I must also note that Crenicara sp. are also many times refered to as checkerboards though (and for a good reason).

1. How big do they get?

The males can get extremely long lyred tail filaments, so that affects the total length. Males - 2.5/3 inches / females - 1.5/2 inches.

2. What kind of tank should they breed in?

They are a cichlid and, as such, can get a little uppity with each other, so it would be wise to give them a little space, 30g.

3. How to breed and sex them?

They are difficult to sex until they become fairly mature and then their differences start becoming quite apparent. The female that is sexually mature will get red/orange ventral fins, but will not develop all the impressive fins and color of the male. Before the female gets the ventral fin color, you may start to see the development of the males lyretail, where the females will stay more rounded. The male may also start developing some spangles in his face and on his fins, especially the caudal and dorsal.

4. How hard are they to breed?

Very difficult! This is not a beginner fish because it is not only difficult to breed, it is not easy to keep. It requires very clean, soft, acidic water for optimum health. To breed it requires a pH of under 5, with virtually no hardness. Almost a rain water type of deal.

What kind of a dwarf Chiclid can live and breed in a 10 gallon tank with Guppies [4 Guppies] and water at 7.2-7.4 pH?

Good suggestions above.

Good luck,
Neil
 

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