When you look at African cichlids care you will notice that it is not complicated to do even for a novice aquarium owner. There are only about four things that you must remember once your tank is setup and ready for fish. When you see these fish you will realize that they are as colorful as many salt water specimens and a lot easier to care for.
The three most important things that you must remember when you are dealing with these fish is that their water is not adaptable for ordinary fresh water fish. The pH is much higher, the DH is also very high and the water temperature is eighty five degrees Fahrenheit. Ordinary household water must be treated to attain the levels necessary to support them. Another important aspect of their care is that the water must have extraordinary filtration. Most experts suggest two separate filtration systems to insure fish health.
Because there are three different lakes that these fish are taken from and each lake has different water makeup you cannot mix fish from different lakes. That should not be a problem for most aquarium lovers because there are over twelve hundred different species of cichlid to choose from that occupy the lakes and even more species in the surrounding rivers that feed the lakes.
When putting the tank together there are some items that are "must have" pieces of decor. These fish need rocks arranged to have openings like caves. They will mark them as their property as soon as they are put into the water. You will also need to supply them with plastic plants with ceramic bases. They dig in the pebbles in the tank and move the plants around trying to enlarge the territory they have claimed.
Over crowding is not an issue with these fish. In fact most people feel that the more the merrier is a good motto. Because of their aggressive and territorial behavior the spectrum of many fish keeps them confused so they lose their target. You will want to be careful about putting fish of the same size together. They will fight for dominance and one will surely die. The smaller fish in your tank will be safe unless they are bite sized for the larger ones.
These fish are not picky eaters and will eat almost anything you give them even if it is not good for them. Their diet can consist of flakes or live bait such as blood worms. They also need vegetables in their diet and flakes can be purchased for this also.
According to many owners of these fish they recognize their humans. When their human passes their aquarium they will flock to the front glass and beg for food. They further add that if a stranger passes they will hide at the back and under plants. If true, this adds an unexpected element of camaraderie to owning fish.
When considering African cichlids care you cannot fail to notice that they are very different from the average fresh water fish. Their needs are not complicated but it is essential that it be correct to ensure the health and life span of your pets. When everything is in order your fish will have colors that rival those of many salt water species.
The three most important things that you must remember when you are dealing with these fish is that their water is not adaptable for ordinary fresh water fish. The pH is much higher, the DH is also very high and the water temperature is eighty five degrees Fahrenheit. Ordinary household water must be treated to attain the levels necessary to support them. Another important aspect of their care is that the water must have extraordinary filtration. Most experts suggest two separate filtration systems to insure fish health.
Because there are three different lakes that these fish are taken from and each lake has different water makeup you cannot mix fish from different lakes. That should not be a problem for most aquarium lovers because there are over twelve hundred different species of cichlid to choose from that occupy the lakes and even more species in the surrounding rivers that feed the lakes.
When putting the tank together there are some items that are "must have" pieces of decor. These fish need rocks arranged to have openings like caves. They will mark them as their property as soon as they are put into the water. You will also need to supply them with plastic plants with ceramic bases. They dig in the pebbles in the tank and move the plants around trying to enlarge the territory they have claimed.
Over crowding is not an issue with these fish. In fact most people feel that the more the merrier is a good motto. Because of their aggressive and territorial behavior the spectrum of many fish keeps them confused so they lose their target. You will want to be careful about putting fish of the same size together. They will fight for dominance and one will surely die. The smaller fish in your tank will be safe unless they are bite sized for the larger ones.
These fish are not picky eaters and will eat almost anything you give them even if it is not good for them. Their diet can consist of flakes or live bait such as blood worms. They also need vegetables in their diet and flakes can be purchased for this also.
According to many owners of these fish they recognize their humans. When their human passes their aquarium they will flock to the front glass and beg for food. They further add that if a stranger passes they will hide at the back and under plants. If true, this adds an unexpected element of camaraderie to owning fish.
When considering African cichlids care you cannot fail to notice that they are very different from the average fresh water fish. Their needs are not complicated but it is essential that it be correct to ensure the health and life span of your pets. When everything is in order your fish will have colors that rival those of many salt water species.
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