Tuesday, June 10, 2014

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.

The right pH is important in order to create an environment that is conducive for the fish. Since pH ranges according to specific species, there is then no accurate single pH for a tank. One can buy a pH regulator but putting crumpled corals, coral gravel or aquatic shells in the tank also elevates the pH while increasing the buffering capacity.

Since these cichlids have a territorial nature fighting each other in their original habitats, adding more turf by getting a bigger aquarium will be a good idea. You should also put some rocks and faunas inside the tank since the cichlids mostly use them to mark their territories. Avoid putting live plant because the fishes may uproot them or even die due to high levels of pH.

These fishes are very active, industrious and fascinating. They love moving things around and excavating as they try to create their own suitable environment. Rocks in the aquarium should be elevated on top of gravel due to their digging nature as when the rock is not suspended it might end up pinning itself under the rock.

The delusion that same size fishes are likely to have a reduced aggression against each other on the same tank is not true. In fact the fishes of unequal size are likely to exist unless one is small enough to become food. This aggression is resulted by lack of intimidation and fighting turns the only way to state boundaries.

Their ability to eat almost any stuff makes them very simple to feed though feeding them on a varied diet is highly recommended. You can feed them on a weekly basis of food comprising of wafers or frozen food while making flake food as their main diet. Excess feeding causes them to have a swollen stomach and it is highly advisable that you stop as it can result to tragic cases causing Malawian bloat. In order to avoid toxic ammonia in the tank, always ensure that you clean the bottom off food remains.

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.

Since taming these kinds of fishes is hustle free, a good maintenance on them should come in handy in a proper way. They normally do not suffer from most diseases like the rest due to their strong immune system. They are able to outlive most the fishes and a good care of them will even extend their lifetime which averages between the years of in the middle of five and eight.




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