pterophyllum scalare

Species Profile | Images | Breeding Report | Similar Species

BREEDING: Breeding is possible, with adult pairs spawning on a pre-cleaned leaf, or stone. As with many cichlids, the parents will guard their fry. If spawning takes place in a community aquarium, it is better to remove the spawning site to a seperate rearing tank, as other fish will eat the larvae.

Have you bred Pterophyllum scalare? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience!

7 breeders have filled in breeding reports, a summary of the results are shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Pterophyllum scalare, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Water conditions: Moderately soft and acidic Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Other (see below) Breeding problems:
Poor fry survival rate
Sex ratio: Roughly equal Breeding difficulty: Easy
Sucess: Fairly sucessful Years Experience: 3
Other Comments: They start their breeding when the water temperature changes a little bit (when cleaning) first they search a good enough leaf which they polish until it’s clean. then they lay their eggs on this leaf. which they will guard en keep clean. they protect the babies by taking them in the mouth en when the danger clears they spit out the baby fish
Date this record created: 27th October 2012 Breeding date: 2010
Breeder: Location:
Water conditions: Very soft and acidic Water temperature: 28oC+
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Peat (or similar) spawning substrate Breeding problems:
Poor egg survival
Sex ratio: Breeding difficulty: Average
Sucess: Very unsucessful Years Experience: 1
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 24th June 2012 Breeding date: 2012
Breeder: Location: Belgium
Water conditions: Moderately hard and alkaline Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Community tank?: Yes, a good community fish
Spawning Method: Adult fish removed from tank Breeding problems:
Poor fry survival rate
Sex ratio: Almost all males Breeding difficulty: Difficult
Sucess: Average Years Experience: 1
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 27th October 2011 Breeding date: 2011
Breeder: Location:
Water conditions: Moderately soft and acidic Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Slightly timid Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Other (see below) Breeding problems:
Deformities
Sex ratio: Roughly equal Breeding difficulty: Average
Sucess: Average Years Experience: 3
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 10th May 2011 Breeding date: 2010
Breeder: Location:
Water conditions: Moderately soft and acidic Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Yes, a good community fish
Spawning Method: Adult fish removed from tank Breeding problems:
Poor fry survival rate
Sex ratio: Roughly equal Breeding difficulty: Easy
Sucess: Fairly sucessful Years Experience: 1
Other Comments: The first couple spawned on the algae scraper in the community tank shortly after a 25 percent water change. Removed the scraper to a 35 liter breeding tank with the parents. They took great care of the eggs and young fry. Fry are able to consume newly hatched baby brine shrimp when they are all at free swimming stage (about a week after spawning) until when they rely on their own yolk sack.
Date this record created: 3rd March 2011 Breeding date: 2011
Breeder: Ceyhun Location: Istanbul
Water conditions: Moderately soft and acidic Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Yes, a good community fish
Spawning Method: Long term (fry appear with adults) Breeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Roughly equal Breeding difficulty: Very easy
Sucess: Very sucessful Years Experience: 20
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 30th December 2009 Breeding date: 2009
Breeder: Location:
Water conditions: Neutral Water temperature: 28oC+
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Yes, a good community fish
Spawning Method: Breeding problems:
Poor egg survival
Sex ratio: Almost all males Breeding difficulty: Easy
Sucess: Very unsucessful Years Experience: 3
Other Comments: I just let them be themselves in a heavily planted tank. The eggs were not removed, so the other fish ate them. This happened 6-7 times in the first 2.5 years. ( 3boys, 1girl)90gal.,27.5degrees
Date this record created: 25th October 2008 Breeding date: 2007
Breeder: Location: