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.
Really interesting markings on these fish, congratulations on getting everything right so that the fish wanted to spawn. Well done!