Cichlid breeding is not exactly straight forward as it is entirely dependent on the cichlid species.
Generally, they can be classified as either substrate-spawners or mouthbrooders.
Cichlids that are substrate-spawners will lay their eggs on surfaces such as rocks, leaves or logs.
Some species will only lay eggs in cave while others will only lay their eggs in empty shells.
As you can see, there are different variations in cichlid breeding and each of them has their own unique criteria to fulfill.
In addition, before they breed, cichlids need their own breeding territory as they do not lay eggs in territories belonging to other cichlids.
Hence, to achieve success in cichlid breeding, you must create the proper environment and provide ample "hiding" places.
Cichlids that are mouthbrooders usually come from Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika.
For these species, rather than laying eggs on substrate, the female will hold the eggs in her mouth until the frys are born.
There are also variations among mouthbrooders.
For delayed mouth-brooders, the eggs are laid on gravel and fertilized before the mother stores them in her mouth.
For immediate mouth-brooders, the eggs are laid on gravel and the mother immediately stores them in her mouth - the male fertilizes them in her mouth.
The same rule also applies to mouthbrooders in the sense that they would also need their own "hiding" places.
During the entire period of holding the eggs, the mother does not eat at all.
Thus, she can get pretty thin and weak and would definitely need a "hiding" place for her own protection.