One of the most fascinating traits of cichlids is "Pair Bonds" — or, translated a bit more poetically: Faithfulness. A trait that humans often consider their own top virtue.
Pair bonding is the long-term attachment between a male and female, sustained through breeding with each other regularly. The bond ensures a durable relationship even when environmental conditions change, or when other fish of the same species try to muscle in on breeding.
This bond gives the male and female the experience to pick good and safe spawning sites, and familiarity with each other also raises the fertilization rate. All together, it boosts the pair's ability to keep their line going.
From what I've observed, this bonding shows up in both modes: monogamy (one male, one female) in most species, and polygyny (one male, multiple females) in species like Cribroheros longimanus, known as Tim Hồng (Pink Heart).
The video is a pair of Heros appendiculatus, also known as Kim Thơm Xanh, spawning again after a long pause caused by the tank being full of their own fry. As soon as we pulled all the fry out, they spawned again (within 24 hours).
No comments yet
Owl post is moderated and may take a moment to arrive.