Cichlids are very common fish and well known to aquarists. They are a giant family that has many genera, with fish that can be found all over the world. The best known are the American cichlids, the dwarfs and the African cichlids. Africans, however, tend to be favorites among ornamental fish because of their abundance of bright colors and diverse shapes.
As each of the genera of Cichlids has numerous peculiarities, it would be possible to write a book just talking about them! However, for this guide, we reserved the main information common to all genera, giving a greater emphasis to the favorites, that is, the African Cichlids ! For those thinking about putting cichlids in their aquarium, it’s worth checking out!
Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Environment : Fresh water
- Scientific name : Cichlidae (family)
- Names : American cichlids, dwarf and African cichlids
- Lifespan : varies by gender
- Size : varies by gender
WHERE DO CICHLIDS LIVE?
Cichlids are freshwater fish found in calm lakes and streams. Depending on the genus, its habitat can vary greatly. Some prefer environments full of plants and algae, others need aquariums with lots of sand and rocks. In general, they do well in warm, soft water, but there are exceptions. To find out which is the ideal environment for your Cichlid , the ideal is to research its habitat of origin.
Among Africans, there are three types that live in different environments: Lake Malawi cichlids , Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria cichlids . Although they are the same species, the ideal is not to mix them in the same aquarium, as their natural habitat and eating habits can be quite different.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CICHLIDS?
One of the features common to all cichlids is their flippers. For all fish, regardless of family, it starts at the head and goes practically to the tail. In addition, these are fish that have parental habits, that is, couples take care of the young until they are big enough to live alone. Finally, most cichlids tend to be territorial fish, making some species unable to coexist with other types of fish in the same aquarium.
Some of the Cichlids stand out as they are very intelligent fish. Some species, such as the Oscar Red Tiger (American cichlid) interact with the owner and recognize family members as a pet!
Another feature that makes cichlids very attractive to aquarists is their colors. Especially when we talk about Africans. Among those from Lake Malawi, color is a strong point. By the way, if you are the type of person who always wanted to have a saltwater aquarium, but never ventured either because of the work or the cost, setting up an aquarium with African cichlids from Malawi is a great tip. Some species are so colorful and exotic that the visual effect is just as appealing.
CAN CICHLIDS LIVE WITH OTHER FISH?
Putting cichlids with other fish in the same aquarium is always a risky task. As we explained, most of them are territorial fish and can end up fighting and killing other cichlids or even other species. Before setting up your aquarium, check the compatibility between the fish and also the sex. In some cases, the excess of males in the aquarium, for example, can generate disputes for the female and a lot of disharmony.
Despite being considered an aggressive species with other fish, cichlids are quite friendly with humans. Some even interact and also like to eat in the hand.
HOW TO SET UP AN AQUARIUM FOR CICHLIDS?
One of the main precautions that must be taken in a cichlid aquarium is the pH, so it is important to invest in good substrates and also filtering equipment. Cichlids are fish capable of living both in environments where the pH is slightly acidic and also in environments where the pH is more alkaline. Therefore, research is quite necessary before setting up the aquarium .
About African cichlids , a curiosity is that these fish love to dig the bottom of the aquarium, since one of the mating tactics is precisely to build mountains of stones to attract females. For this reason, the aquarium needs to have efficient filtration, as dust and debris are mixed with the water more often. In addition, the owner of the aquarium must be careful in placing rocks or suspended logs that are too heavy, as they can fall and break the aquarium.
In the case of African Cichlids , many lay eggs on smooth leaf surfaces, so having abundant foliage in the aquarium is essential.
WHAT DO CICHLIDS EAT?
Cichlids can be omnivores, herbivores or carnivores depending on the genus and type. Therefore, they need food and their own environment to live in a healthy way.
Even among Cichlids of the same group, the ideal is to keep only fish that have the same eating habits in the same aquarium. This is because these fish have a sensitive digestive system, so offering food that is not suitable for each fish can cause illness and even death in some specimens.
AQUARIUM CONDITIONS
A good aquarium for cichlids should contain:
- pH more acidic or basic, depending on the type
- Foliage or rocks depending on the type of Cichlid
- At least 200 liters with substrate
- good filtering
Cichlids are visually attractive and very interesting fish. For those thinking of starting in aquarism, investing in a single species can be a great way to learn more about these animals and make the house more lively and colorful.
