Things To Consider In African Cichlids Care

By Sally Delacruz


These African fishes are unique and they somehow pose a test in trying to keep them when put into comparison with other fishes. This is mostly due to the need to maintain the original environs of their original location and also their hostile nature. Regardless of these they still are astounding and colorful that it is hard to believe they originate from non-salty lakes. Maintaining fake environs of origin with the right pH, right temperatures among various other factors listed constitute to African cichlids care.

A correct amount of pH is very important so as to create a surrounding that is favorable to the fish. Specific pH for a tank is not an accurate thought since pH differs with the various individual species. Apart from obtaining a pH regulator, one can also try homegrown ways of putting in the tank, crushed corals, aquatic shells or coral gravel which will raise pH while still increasing capacity to buffer.

Creating more turf by acquiring a big tank is a great idea since these fishes have a territorial inclination of roughing each other out in the wild. Adding plants and rocks in the aquarium will be useful since the cichlids use them in marking their own territories. Live plants are very probably of getting dug out or die from the pH, so it is good to put fake ones that will not float.

In making their own ideal environments, these cichlids normally love to move things around and about and also digging. For this reason, it is important to place rocks on over gravel in order to save the fishes from pinning themselves under rocks as they dig.

The belief that putting fishes of the size in the tank decreases aggression does not hold ground. Indeed a small and a bigger fish are even more likely to co-exist not unless the small one is so small to become prey. The aggression is due to the fact that a big size does not intimidate another big size and hence fighting becomes the only way used marks their boundaries. Creating caves is also a good idea if you decided on mixing different sizes so that the smaller ones can always hide from aggression.

It is very easy to feed them because they eat almost anything even though it is advisable that you offer them a diet that is varied. You can make flake diet as their staple food while feed them frozen food and wafers on a weekly basis. A swell on their stomach is an indication that you are feeding them in excess and it can turn hazardous resulting to Malawian bloat. Food remains should be cleaned from the bottom since they can produce ammonia that can become toxic.

Weekly change of around quarter of the water constitutes the necessary maintenance which should not be a big deal. In order to be safe from chemicals, ensure a gravel vacuum at the bottom and also do not sterilize the sponge for filtering when about to clean up.

These creatures being not a fuss to take care of, one should be able to ensure that they are maintained properly. Their immune are so strong and able to resist from most diseases that affect most fishes. They have a longer lifespan than most fishes and proper upkeep can see them living past their average lifetime of five to eight years.




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