One of the most important principles of cichlid care is water quality. Water chemistry, temperature and salinity are very important factors in keeping your cichlids thriving, healthy and happy. Different types of these unique aquarium fish have their own unique and strict water requirements.
Africans generally need their water a little saltier than American varieties, so do your cichlid care research wisely. For this reason alone American Cichlids and African Cichlids simply don't do well as tank mates. I have seen fellow aquarists get each species to survive while living in the same tank, but they simply cannot thrive with each other. For that matter, different varieties of African Cichlids have their own unique water chemistry requirements. Again, do your research wisely.
Another important principle in cichlid care is providing adequate tank decor, or lack thereof. Smaller varieties of cichlids, particularly the African varieties, need lots of nooks and shelters to hide in. Larger varieties such as Oscars simply will destroy almost anything you put in the tank with them. I have found, after years of keeping and caring for Oscars, they will do quite well with drift wood. It will give their tank mates like plecos and corys something to gather around.
Angel Fish and Discus love a heartily planted aquarium. In my opinion, they need a planted aquascape to thrive as they would in the wild. By the way, Discus are absolutely beautiful when they are happy and stress free.
Lake Malawi, The 3rd biggest lake that is in Africa and the 8th biggest in the world is home to several species of fish more than anywhere else in the world today. The Malawi Cichlids are some of the most beautiful fish on the planet. They are known to be of a huge array of wonderful colours and have become quite popular for fish collectors.
The lake is known to be rocky and with very little vegetation. Near the edge of the lake though is sandier and with less rocks and the water is more open there. It is there that you can find a different habitat. The two habitats of Cichlids that are different are the ones that dwell on or around the rocks and the ones that are considered to be non rock dwellers.
If you are a fish keeper and are considering on getting some of the Cichlids for your aquarium you must be sure to know which group to choose as it is known that the rock dwellers and the non rock dwellers cannot live among each other quite well. Also it is believed that neither of them can survive with any other kinds of fish.
Once you make your decision on which you will prefer to have then next you will need to organize the aquarium. If it is the rock dwellers then of course you will need plenty of rocks and also small caves or places for them to explore and hide.
As for the non rock dwellers you shall need to prepare a sandier environment with the water is more open for them. Just scatter a few rocks around at the bottom of the tank; they will not need any caves or places to hide.
Be sure to remember what it is like for them to be in their habitat they like to be in water where the temperature is around 24-26 degrees Celsius or 76-79 degrees Fahrenheit. It is very important to replicate this inside of the tank. Also you shall need to keep the tank away from any heaters and out of any direct sun light.
By Craig Wrightson
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Learn everything you need to know about setting up and maintaining a perfect Cichlid Tank including the unbelievably simple secrets the professional breeders use on caring, feeding, breeding and diseases!
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The Malawi Cichlid aquarium needs water that is medium hard and alkaline. Crushed coral sand/gravel, crushed oyster shells, and limestone can all be used to bring down the pH in the tank. There are also products you can buy to amend the pH level such as Proper pH. It is important not to let the alkalinity of the water fluctuate too much, lest it have a bad effect on your cichlids. Cichlids are able to live in environments that are outside of their optimal range, but only if they are slowly introduced to those conditions. Even though they are hardy, any sudden changes in water chemistry can adversely affect them.
Aquarium fish from Lake Malawi, in Africa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Water temperatures should be kept between 76F and 79F. Malawi Cichlids do not tolerate hot water well at all, so be careful not to place their tank in close proximity to windows or heaters that can raise the temperature of the water. A digital water heater can help to regulate the water temperature automatically.
The Malawi Cichlid aquarium must also have proper filtration and lighting. Filters that hang on the back of the tank are recommended over the under gravel filters since Cichlids do like to dig. This fish produces a lot of waste and will fall ill if the water is not regularly cleaned. As for lighting, a fluorescent light is ideal since it does not produce heat, promotes fish growth, and helps to bring out the natural colors of the fish.
Malawi Cichlids do not need plants in their aquarium. In fact, they would be much happier with plenty of sand and rocks. The species out of Lake Malawi will prefer more sand while the Mbuna variety prefers more rocks. For this reason, among others, these two cichlid species should not be kept in the same tank. If you really want to add plants, it is recommend that you add hardy plants that are found in Lake Malawi. Unless of course you enjoy replacing plants every month after your cichlids terrorize them.
This article is only meant to introduce you to Malawi cichlid aquarium setup and there is a lot to learn outside of what I wrote here. The best thing to do to is research the conditions in Lake Malawi and try to find ways to mimic those conditions in your aquarium. When you have mastered that aspect of your aquarium, the fish pretty much take care of themselves.
If you want more details about setting up a Malawi cichlid aquarium you can find them on my cichlid website. On my site you will be able to find information about everything to do with cichlids, including everyone's favorite: Cichlid breeding [http://www.cichlidfishcentral.com/cichlid-fish-articles/cichlid-breeding-overview/].
The bumblebee cichlids are fresh water fish from the cichlid family. Their scientific name is Pseudotropheus crabro. They are also known as the hornet cichlid. These fishes are basically cave fish, since they live in large caves. Their pH preferences is mid while they are found in areas between the temperatures of 24°C to that of 26°C.
The fishes in this specie have a barred "bumblebee" pattern on their bodies which makes them specifically attractive to children. Their bodies are elongated and have yellow and black bars spawn all over their bodies.
When they are younger, the bumblebee cichlids are brightly colored and start to darken when they grow older.
One thing about the bumblebee cichlids fish is that they are very aggressive and should not be placed with other kinds of fishes in a community tank. During breeding, the males turn into an almost total black color.
The bumblebee cichlids change color very rapidly. For the females, they change their color to a black murky black.
The fish generally feed on parasites found on other fishes such as the bagrus cat fish. At times the bumblebee cichlids will prey on the eggs of the bagrus cat fish. Due to their fast color change ability, the bumblebee cichlids take up a dark brown color when preying on the eggs.
In normal circumstances, the bumblebee cichlids males will harass the female or other less aggressive males. They may even go to the extent of killing them. To remedy this, it is a good idea to place a few more females in the fish tank as well. One male bumblebee should be placed in a group of around six other females. This encourages spawning.
To determine the gender of the fish, pay specific attention to the color as well as the size. Male cichlids will usually display a larger frame than the females. On their bodies, they have a bluer coloring. The females on the other hand have a more pronounced yellow and gold.
Although very easy to breed, these kinds of fish should be watched carefully. When the males darken in color, their behaviors change and they create their own special territory in the tank. The male bumblebee cichlids then welcome one female at a time and circle and dance around.
The female lays the eggs and the male will sperm them. She then takes the eggs and the sperms into her mouth. The female then incubates the eggs in her mouth up to 21 days.
Female bumblebee cichlids usually eat the eggs while under stress. This may be caused by the male when he harasses her. The best remedy for this is to switch the female to a different tank. Here, she will incubate the eggs and hatch them, after which she will release them into the tank.
If this is not possible, design your tank in a way that it has more rocks. This will greatly help the females when they are in the incubation period. They will need a place to hide from the male bumblebee cichlids.
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Are you looking for a wonderful breed of fish to add to your aquarium? African Cichlids are a tropical fresh water species and they are quite popular for use in home tanks today. Why is this? They have amazing and brilliant colors, making them a great addition to any underwater habitat! Not only are they beautiful to look at, they live much longer than most fish suitable for aquariums. They can live up to eight years with the proper care, and they are fairly easy to maintain as well.
African Cichlids are curious too, and they love to stay active! Yet, you need a bit of education to make the right choice when at the store, to ensure the best outcome with your new fish. To help you in this endeavor, let's examine African Cichlids in more detail below.
Interesting Qualities
African Cichlids are found in many lakes in Africa, the foremost being Lake Victoria, Tanginika and Malawi. They display a fascinating specialization, and are thought to be the most colorful fish which are freshwater in origin. These lively fish can have intricate behavior patterns, and can sometimes be aggressive. This is especially true if they are in a group, and it is best to feed them often if this is the case. Why is this? It gives them something else to focus upon, and will keep them otherwise occupied. How many feedings per day is appropriate? You can feed African Cichlids up to four times per day if necessary, to keep their fighting at bay. If they are more docile in nature, you can feed them less often.
The reason this tactic works so well, is that food is sometimes scarce in their natural habitat. African Cichlids live in large schools in the wild, and they must fight each other for any food which they obtain. By feeding them often throughout the day, you'll eliminate this source of conflict, by providing them with an abundant food source.
Another way to reduce their aggressive tendencies, is to buy fish that are nearly the same size. With this type of approach, no fish will feel that they have a clear advantage over the others, and more peaceful interaction will develop naturally. If you buy one African Cichlid which is much bigger than the other fish, they will try to dominate the rest, causing problems in your aquarium.
African Cichlids are usually on the move as well, and will provide you with endless hours of entertainment! They love to explore their environment, and will be interested in any decorations in your aquarium. They'll also be curious about the other fish in your tank as well, and often times they will even dig in the substrate to stay busy.
Experienced Care Needed For African Cichlids
For all of these reasons and more, this species is a great addition to any tank, yet some care should be taken. They are not really suitable if you're just starting out, as it can take some research and experience to have the best outcome. In fact, these fish are part of a large subset which includes about six hundred other species, and each one has its own specific needs! The variations can run the gamut from small behavior differences, to special food requirements. As you can see, you shouldn't buy these fish if you haven't prepared to care for them beforehand.
Other potential issues to be aware of, are their breeding habits as well. If you want to produce offspring, you should be aware that African Cichlids can be hard to mate. Incompatibility is a common problem, and these fish can often get into fights instead of breeding. It is best to add one fish at a time, to ensure the most harmonious atmosphere possible. This will also help you to balance the nitrogen levels in your tank as well, keeping it well below the danger zone.
However, once successful mating takes place, African Cichlids are wonderful parents! They will keep their young safe and well cared for, and they stay around even after the eggs have hatched. This is in contrast to some other species, which leave their eggs to fend for themselves. In fact, African Cichlids have even been known to care for one another's eggs when in the wild, displaying remarkably strong social behavior.
Other Considerations
While there may be some variation in their needs, all African Cichlids require a large tank to do well. Also, water which is quite basic on the pH scale is best for them, and will give them conditions which most closely mimic those found in their natural habitat. If you are at a loss for how to do this, add some crushed coral to your aquarium, which will work to promote a base environment.
Also, there are now hybrid species available, which cross African Cichlids with other varieties of fish. While these may be interesting, and boast unique characteristics, there are several drawbacks as well. They may not be as resilient as fish with a pure genetic strain, meaning they may be harder to care for. Also, their behavior may be a bit more erratic, as you don't know which species traits they will display most dominantly.
Conclusion
Though African Cichlids can require some extra measures of care, they are well worth the effort! If you are a novice when it comes to aquariums, you should wait until you have more experience. Yet, if you have some knowledge in this area, these fish are a wonderful addition for your tank! With their high energy and curious nature, they'll always give you something to watch with interest. They may hide behind your decorations, or even burrow into the sand or gravel at the bottom of the aquarium. If you have any problems with aggressive behavior, just remember to feed them often. With this simple strategy in mind, you can often eliminate any issues with ease, and go back to having a peaceable tank in no time at all.
With their brilliant colors, African Cichlids will add new hues and tones to your aquatic environment as well. They have a reputation for being intelligent, and they can be quite loyal as well. If they do have little ones, they make excellent parents too. So, for all of these reasons, you are sure to love this species of fish, and will enjoy having them in your tank for many years to come!
Having had fish tanks for over ten years, enjoying freshwater tropical fish, I now decided to write about my experiences on FreshwaterTropicalFish.org [http://freshwatertropicalfish.org].
Maybe it is the sleek, torpedo shape knifing through the waters of the aquarium, unlike most other types of fish which are built much more like...well, fish! Or possibly the brilliant, usually blue and black vertical striped colourations, are what attracted me in the first place, and hold me fascinated as they swim. There are some other morphs and colorations coming into the trade as time goes by, but the blue and black bars of an alpha male will always be my favorite pattern for this fish.
Most likely it is the way they carry themselves with pure attitude, from fry on up that makes them so memorable. Rarely do they allow themselves to be bullied, and generally end up as the fish to be concerned about when new additions are added. They are already kings and queens and will ensure the rest are aware of their status. An alpha male, patrolling the aquarium and ensuring all others flee when near is a spectacle I can watch for hours.
Like many other Mbuna from Lake Malawi, the elongatus has developed as a mouth brooder. Although this form of parental behaviour is not unique to this species, it is fascinating to watch. I have had established aquariums where many generations live and thrive in the same tank. Father, Son, Grandson, great grandson and even more generations all grow and thrive together over time and interbreed their generations if allowed.
Unlike livebearers who simply drop their babies someplace and leave, rarely recognizing them later as anything other than food, the entire cichlid family provides some form of parenting behaviour. South American Cichlids share the duties with both parents often protecting the eggs where they have been laid. They then continue protecting the brood as they hatch and then begin to swim. For most species this a job for both male and female of the pair, and for this reason many species form long-term bonds.
The Mbuna, or African CIchlids generally take this protection a step further, holding the young within the mouth of the female until the fry are free-swimming and able to fend for themselves. Unlike many others that pair-bond, it seems the female takes the responsibilities for the fry on herself and pairing will be much more fluid. This is important to understand since when after the courtship and the eggs have been laid, the female may not eat for up to three weeks to prevent accidental ingestion of the precious cargo she is carrying in her mouth. The male does not share these duties, and can even be working with another female during this period.
Elongatus, like most African Cichlids, are more difficult to sex and to compound the problem there are extreme discrepancies in the ratio of the sexes for many Mbuna species. There are commonly many more females than males born and raised to maturity. It is often best to purchase these fish, as unsexed juveniles in schools of 6 or so, that way you should get at least one viable pair when they mature. This also helps with controlling the aggressive tendencies of the fish and keeps them busier among themselves establishing territory and dominance in the group rather than beating up the other species kept in the aquarium.
Once grown, the males are generally larger than the females. The egg patches on the anal fins are often more intensely coloured for the females, offering better visual targets for the males in the breeding rituals. As a species they are very aggressive, even for African Mbuna, But, with enough distractions, simply add plenty of activity to the aquarium. Don't obtain these fish if you are looking for a peaceful and placid aquarium community.
The living area should be as large as possible, with a 30 gallon aquarium being my personal minimum for them. Decorations should be basically rocks - usually the flatter and stackable the better. I have had the most success with lots of slate that is piled up in such a manner that there are all sorts of small spaces and channels for the babies, once they have been released from the mother's mouth. They need to rapidly find places and swimming paths where bigger fish mouths simply cannot go. The rocks should be piles in the back of the aquarium with free swimming areas open in the front. I also tend to offer a few caves or other hiding places in the front that often become the sole property of the tank alpha male.
Some people have had success with live plants with Africans, or so they report, but I have always found that if they don't eat them, then they will dig them up, so I have always reverted to rock decorations only.
I keep the tank relatively high in pH, although nowhere close to the recommendation of Hans Baensch - p 756 - Baensch Aquarium Atlas which is 8.5. My fish do fine in Montreal's standard water - about 7.6 - 7.8. The water is supplemented with an African Cichlid conditioner to bring up the hardness and stabilize alkalinity, but other than that, at present no other work is done on the water characteristics.
I do very little as far as exotic foods. Most African Cichlids do very well on the various prepared foods available at the local pet store. Cichlid pellets, either floating or sinking are usually quite enough, although I do feed them some staple flakes as well. At present the food I have is a sinking small Cichlid micro pellet for the tank of essentially juvenile Africans. The pellets seem to sink quite fast to a single place, so the addition of flakes lets everyone feed at other levels in the aquarium.
By Stephen Pond
Having kept and bred many different types of tropical fish for the past forty years, I am dedicated to providing information required for the novice aquarist to to the advanced tropical fish keeper to become successful in this fascinating hobby. I continue to provide as much information on all aspects of the hobby through my website with its associated blogs and video areas dedicated to quite a number of aquarium topics at the Tropical Fish Aquarist website. It has been designed to provide an excellent resource for every level of fish enthusiast. For more detailed information specifically tailored for the novice aquarist on all aspects of the beginning aquarium check the website at http://www.noviceaquarist.com Besides my own personal contributions, a variety of other sources are polled and added regularly to the content warehouse available there. (Part of non-working links deleted)
Article Source: EzineArticles
Cichlids are an adorable group of freshwater fishes highly prized for their rich coloration. They are considered among the most specialized and diverse group of fishes anywhere in the world. There are an estimated 1300 or more species existing, all with an unimaginable number of size and color combinations. Those freshwater Oscars and angelfish we all knew to be aquarium fish species are actually cichlids. The African cichlid is one two classifications widely displayed in aquariums these days.
This particular fish group comes from three African lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi, and Lake Tanganyika. With Lake Malawi being the second deepest and at the same time third largest lake in the African landscape, about a thousand species or more of the Lake Malawi cichlids are considered the most beautiful in the world, whether they live in the freshwater or otherwise.
Cichlids found in Africa are especially known for displaying beautiful and enchanting patterns complete with an array of colors not surprisingly typical in most species of freshwater species. Everyone agrees that such types are also the most colorful among the species. They are most elegant to observe at, especially when they flaunt their impressive social behavior and intelligence.
African cichlids are designed by nature to adapt to captivity, which is why you can see so many of them available in pet shops anywhere these days. They are also hardy, which means maintaining them is much easier compared to others. This great characteristic is doing so many things to help them survive in new environments and specific geographic locations.
African cichlids are also known to have varied and interesting behaviors. Some types are known to carry their eggs and young into their mouths. The male functions to fertilize the eggs, while the female picks them up and incubates them inside the mouth for about three weeks or more depending on the species. Researchers believe this behavior is an evolutionary advancement of their specific reproductive methods, since the process significantly provides offspring protection during delicate development periods. Even if the young are already released, mothers are still driven by instinct to protect them inside their mouths whenever threatened.
This particular species are also known to be more aggressive compared to their counterparts and extremely territorial, which may also explain the link with their highly predatory features. When on the wild, they are often found living together in schools or groups of the same species. The mature ones are not hospitable since they function to guard the territory. They may even be aggressive to other fishes and even cichlids of varying species.
Cichlids in general express both their dominance and timidity mainly through their colors; pale fishes could be stressed out, or they could also be submissive. Bright-colored fish types on the other hand are usually dominant as they are also more aggressive than other cichlids. Whenever male cichlids lose territory, they also lose their bright colors. Some others even hide while retaining their dominance color just to pretend of their status, which also means to keep their hopes of attracting mates strong. And that's the African cichlid for you.
