[pdub]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering, when the fish are preparing to spawn I noticed they dig a hole to create the secure spawning area.

Is it usually the female or male who digs the hole?

I think my Dem's are going to start breeding soon. They're only about 1 1/4" long but they're already exhibiting spawning behaviors.

Thanks.

 

[DNK]

I find that my Dems don't dig a pit to spawn.; they'll spawn anywhere on the sand.
I have a male Dem juvie under 1" and he is already shaking at other similar sized female Dems, still too small to spawn but they're trying!!
At least this way I can sex them at an early stage!

 

[CichlidWhisperer]

It is traditionally the male, but an be either. In fact when I have isolated a female who is holding she manages to move the gravel and nest down to bare glass. I say move the gravel because the one girl I saw do it did not pick it up in her mouth (after all she was holding) but rather used her nose to push it away and clear out a nest.

 

[dielikemoviestars]

Usually the males. My 3-4 codominant males have each dug at least 2 pits in my tank.
These include socolofi, estherae, greshakei, and Lab. "Hongi." No demasoni though.