and escape routes for the female if needed. If all else fails, the male can be removed for the safety of the female and brood. Fry can be kept with the parents, then after around two weeks a portion of the fry can be removed for separate raising. Keep some fry with the pair as this ensures the strength of the bond. Completely removing the fry, could cause confusion between the pair, then the male attacking and possibly killing the female! Hybridisation was unfortunately observed within my aquarium. This particular incident happened with a female exCichlasoma salvini. Although the majority of eggs deposited were fertile, the most responsible action i took was to destroy the eggs and then remove the salvini from the aquarium. Amazingly the next day the Male deppii had bonded with the female deppii and shortly after, their first batch of eggs were deposited. Although the female deppii was present in the same tank, I find it strange yet interesting why the male deppii chose to spawn with the salvini. I can conclude nothing from it, except that cichlids show diverse, strange and fascinating behaviour.
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