Spawning Report: Dicrossus maculatus

Dicrossus maculatus

Spade-tailed checkerboard cichlid

Method of Reproduction: Platform & mobile platform spawner (prefer leaves).

Number and Gender Distribution of Parents: 1 male, 3 suspected females (biggest one turned out to be male).

Origin of Parents: Wild caught

Approximate number of eggs or fry: 200

Date of Hatch or Birth* (MM/DD/YYYY): I suspected spawns in early-mid November because 2 of the 3 females "disappeared" and only reappeared to chase off other fish in the tank. Unsure when exactly eggs hatched as I never actually saw eggs.

Date of Free Swimming If Hatched (MM/DD/YYYY): First female presented free-swimming fry on 11/18. The 2nd had piled her wigglers under a branch the next day and they were free-swimming within another day.

Approx. Number of Fry at 30 Days: 200

Approx. Number of Fry at 60 Days: TBD

Aquarium Conditions:

pH (0 to 14): 4.5-5.5

General Hardness (ppm): Less than 50.

Average Temperature (F): 84-86

Aquarium Size (L X W X H and Gallons): 24x12x12 (15 gallon)

Water Source: RO

Water Changes (how much and how often): 10-30% every few weeks.

Filtration System(s): Air driven sponges

Additives (Salt, iron, etc.)

Décor (Please include all that apply):

Live Plants

Wood

Leaves

Rocks

Substrate: 1/4 inch of pool filter sand.

Lighting Type and Timing: LED 12 hours/day.

Food Fed to Parents and How Often: Prepared, frozen, white worms, blackworms every 1-2 days

Food Fed to Fry and How Often: BBS, microworms, decapsulated BBS, powdered prepared foods.

Identifying females of this fish isn't easy. They are harem spawners and a male will spawn with multiple females within a day or two. It's best to remove the male if you suspect a spawn because the females will kill him if he can't find a place to hide. Of course, catching the male without pissing the females off to the point that they eat their eggs is easier said than done.