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.
So as to create a healthy environment for the fish, it is essential to maintain the required pH. Single accurate pH for the tank is non-existent and instead ranges with particular species. It is possible to purchase a pH regulator but for a more homemade approach, put corals that are crushed, sand or sea shells in to your tank so as to raise the pH while also raising the capacity of buffering.
Due to their territorial tendency of being rough amongst each other in the wild, it turns to be a great idea to get a large tank in order to create a lot of turf. Rocks and some plants will also be useful as these fishes will use them to mark down their territories. Fake plants will be ideal since live plants are likely to die due to the pH and even get dug up by the fish.
These cichlids love moving stuff about and digging while they make their preferred surroundings. In this case rocks in the tank should be placed on top of sand as to prevent the fish from getting pinned under it as it digs.
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.
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.
In general, ensuring proper maintenance of the cichlids is very important and they being the cheapest to tame, this should not be a hustle. They are very hardy and resistant to many diseases that are got by most fishes. They outlive most fishes and proper care can probably even elongate their usual lifespan that averages between five to eight years.
So as to create a healthy environment for the fish, it is essential to maintain the required pH. Single accurate pH for the tank is non-existent and instead ranges with particular species. It is possible to purchase a pH regulator but for a more homemade approach, put corals that are crushed, sand or sea shells in to your tank so as to raise the pH while also raising the capacity of buffering.
Due to their territorial tendency of being rough amongst each other in the wild, it turns to be a great idea to get a large tank in order to create a lot of turf. Rocks and some plants will also be useful as these fishes will use them to mark down their territories. Fake plants will be ideal since live plants are likely to die due to the pH and even get dug up by the fish.
These cichlids love moving stuff about and digging while they make their preferred surroundings. In this case rocks in the tank should be placed on top of sand as to prevent the fish from getting pinned under it as it digs.
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.
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.
In general, ensuring proper maintenance of the cichlids is very important and they being the cheapest to tame, this should not be a hustle. They are very hardy and resistant to many diseases that are got by most fishes. They outlive most fishes and proper care can probably even elongate their usual lifespan that averages between five to eight years.
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