Synodontis Multipunctatus / Keyhole Cichlid Breeding

[FunkyFredFrog]

I've recently bought a pair of Keyhole Cichlids which I got specifically to have a bash at breeding.

Within six days they spawned which got me thinking about my Syno Multipunctatus....

I know they spawn by dropping an egg in cichlid egg piles but I was wondering if Keyhole Cichlid's eggs would be a suitable drop point for Syno Multi's?

[Birger]

I know they spawn by dropping an egg in cichlid egg piles but I was wondering if Keyhole Cichlid's eggs would be a suitable drop point for Syno Multi's?

These catfish use mouthbrooding cichlids, the catfish interupt the spawning sequence, drop eggs as they pass through and the female mouthbrooder picks up the eggs with her own.

the cichlids you mention are substrate spawners and would not be a suitable host for the catfish.

Birger

[MatsP]

S. multipunctata doesn't drop eggs in with spawning cichlids. They spawn together with mouthbrooding rift-lake cichlids. Keyhold cichlids are South American substrate spawner.

So I definitely don't thin they will "clue up" as to the Keyholes being a potential surrogate parent.

[Took too long, but agree with Birger]

--
Mats

[FunkyFredFrog]

I thought that them not picking them up in their mouth maybe a issue.

[Richard B]

I believe some other tang syno species have been recorded as laying close to the nest site of substrate spawning cichlids so they get protected due to their inclusion in a 'protected zone' Syno sp 2 is the one most often quoted. Multis have been known to scatter in the absence of mouthbrooders but i do not think the keyholes will protect the multi eggs if laid. The spawning pheremones/hormones of the keyholes might encourage the multis to spawn but any eggs should be salvaged and raised separately