Decrease air flow if the Cichlids show signs of air poisoning (rapid darting, shaking, or rolling). You can also use airstones and bubble curtains to increase water turbulence.
#Red zebra cichlid shaking how to#
Extra Air Flow and How to Provide It Use extra bubble up filters with fully opened valves. Some will also dig up plants or consume them, while others will hunt algae eaters and other creatures that help keep the tank clean. Use at least double the recommended filtration for the tank size. Recommended Filter Type Overhead canister. Mbunas prefer a wide, shallow tank with plenty of rocks to swim in and around. Tank Setup for African Cichlid Minimum Tank Size 50 Gallons Optimal Tank Size 100 – 250 Gallons Optimal Tank Shape Haps do better in tall tanks that allow them to move easily between upper and lower levels in the tank. Other Water Chemistry Needs May need magnesium and other mineral additives.
If you decide to add driftwood to the tank, be sure to boil and scrub it first to remove as much tannic acid as possible. Tannin Recommendations It is best to avoid tannins because they will lower the pH. There are also commercial additives that you can purchase that create a mineral profile that matches the native waters. Depending on the species, you may also need to add baking soda and Epsom salts to increase the mineral content of the water. Hardness Moderately hard Aquarium Salt Recommendations African Cichlids will do fine in a tank with aquarium salt. Stream dwelling African Cichlids do better in 7.0 or neutral pH. Optimal Water Conditions For African Cichlid Temperature 76 – 82 degrees Fahrenheit Water Flow Rate Turbulent with a high turnover through the filter pH 7.8 – 8.5 for Lake Malawi dwellers. For the purpose of this article, I will focus mainly on Haps and Mbunas. Since Haps and Mbunas live in different settings or have different nutritional needs, getting good care information can be confusing. Haps Cichlid – See Today’s Price on Amazon.Family of 25 Mbuna Cichlids – See Today’s Price on Amazon.Here are a few options for buying African Cichlids on Amazon: There are also “non-Haps” and “non-Mbunas” that are harder to obtain. These Cichlids are divided into two main groups Haps (which also loosely include Utaka Cichlids and Peacock Cichlids), and Mbuna Cichlids. Insofar as home aquariums go, most African Cichlids come from Lake Malawi, Tanzania.
Some dwell among the rocks, while others prefer to swim in freshwater or along sandy beaches. “New World” or South American Cichlids, however, have very different needs from their African relatives.Īfrican Cichlids live in freshwater lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds throughout Africa. The Cichlid family is found in many parts of the world including South America.
Natural Habitat, Identification, and Where to Buy African Cichlid The sheer number of hybrids on the market also makes it difficult to get good answers about water chemistry and other needs. Care Level Moderate to Difficult because most African Cichlids are very aggressive. Other Names Peacock Cichlids, Utaka Cichlids, and thousands of other types of Cichlids. There are several thousands, including hundreds of captive bred hybrids available for sale to freshwater aquarium keepers. While there are some complexities involved in taking care of African Cichlids, they are still easier than saltwater fish.Īfrican Cichlids are hearty, colorful, enigmatic freshwater fish without the water chemistry problems associated with saltwater fish.Ĥ More Things to Know About African Cichlids Quick Intro To African Cichlid fish Family Cichlidae Scientific Name Depends on the species. Mbunas usually have a slightly elongated, yet classic fish (like the goldfish crackers) shape with streamlined upper fins. Insofar as body shape, Haps are usually a bit longer than tall and wide.Įverything about them says vitality and robust power!īoth male and female (to a lesser extent) Mbuna African Cichlid will develop bright colors. In these, and other kinds of African Cichlid, juvenile fish are silvery or gray colored.Īs male Haps mature, they will take on brilliant colors and bright patterns in accordance with their species.įemales, on the other hand, will usually remain grayish, or develop much duller coloration. There are two main species of African Cichlid fish available for home aquariums Haplochromus (Haps), and Mbuna Cichlids. There are well over 1000 different species of African cichlid, not counting the ongoing hybridization in natural settings as well as in home and breeder aquariums. From brilliant blues to oranges, reds, calicoes, stripes, and spots, there is no end to the colors and patterns you will find displayed by African Cichlid fish.
0 kommentar(er)
