Breeding

Breeding is deliberately spawning fish and raising the young; it ranges from near-automatic (livebearers) to demanding (many egg-layers and dwarf cichlids), and responsible breeding means planning for where the offspring will go.

Different fish breed differently — livebearers give birth, egg-scatterers scatter eggs, and substrate-spawners like many cichlids guard a clutch. Success usually comes down to condition, water, and a safe space for eggs or fry.

The ethical part matters as much as the technique: only breed if you can house or rehome the results, and never to fuel a colour fad at the animals' expense.

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