Cichlid Care

It is true that cichlids may be some of the easiest aquarium fish to care for, but keeping them is not something that you should leave to fate. It would be a waste of time and money if you bring home some cichlids, only to have them die on you in a couple of weeks due to neglect.

They are easy to feed. They breed without any difficulty. They thrive well in an aquarium setup because of their size. It is no small wonder that cichlids have become a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts and fish lovers.

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Cichlid Breeding

As you go along raising cichlids, you will soon find yourself entertaining the idea of cichlid breeding. And why not? Cichlids are wonderful freshwater fish that are delightful to raise and breed, more so when they have endeared themselves to you. Cichlid breeding will enable you to observe firsthand how cichlids raise their young. You will find it interesting to know that in many ways cichlids are as protective as humans, but other times they can also be detached, even aggressive, parents. Such are the wonders of nature.

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Cichlid Behaviour

Because of their colour and unique traits, cichlids have become popular aquarium fish among aquarium enthusiasts. Their coloration enhances the aesthetics of any aquarium and brings life to one’s home. It is no wonder that they are among the popular freshwater fish that many people start aquariums with.

Before you decide to bring home one of your own, it is important that you understand cichlid behaviour. This will temper your expectations of your new cichlid and help you adjust to it during the initial weeks. Raising cichlids is not a piece of cake, but once you have gotten used to it, you will find pleasure and joy in growing and breeding them.

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Cichlid Aquarium

Remember that setting up a good cichlid aquarium is just one of many ways for you to keep your cichlids happy and healthy. Proper diet, good water quality, and safety are also considerations in prolonging the life of your cichlids. As a newbie, consult with experienced cichlid raisers and pet shop owners or do your research so you know what the proper environment for your cichlids should be.

Find a permanent place for your cichlid aquarium. Keep it away from direct sunlight or any heat source, and minimize moving your aquarium. Too much heat can be bad for your cichlids. To keep the water temperature stable in your cichlid aquarium, install a water heater. This will make sure your cichlids are not affected by the changing temperature in your geographical location.

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Buying Cichlids

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are buying cichlids:

Do your research. Before buying cichlids, read up on them. Do they have special needs? Will you be able to meet the requirements of raising them? Many times people take in pets with very little knowledge about caring for them that these animals end up ill or, worse, dead.

Buy only from a trusted source. Here is where your network of friends and acquaintances come in handy. Seek out experienced cichlids owners from among your network and ask for advice on where to find a trustworthy shop that sells cichlids. You can buy cichlids online, from a local pet shop, or from an experienced cichlid breeder. What is important is the seller can be trusted enough to sell you healthy cichlids and will be happy to replace them if something goes wrong.

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African Cichlids

African cichlids are a breed of cichlids found in the three lakes of Africa: Lake Malawi, Lake Tanginika and Lake Victoria.  There are at least a thousand different species of cichlids in Lake Malawi, which is Africa’s third biggest and second deepest lake. 

African cichlids have beautiful and colourful patterns not usually found in freshwater fish.  They are more colourful than any other group of freshwater fish. Their vibrant colors are admired and hailed by fish enthusiasts.

African female cichlids carry eggs and young in their mouths.  This is called mouth brooding.  The male fertilizes the eggs then the female picks them up and nurtures the eggs in her mouth for 3 weeks to 31 days, depending on the type of species.  During this time the mother does not eat anything.  The mother shows such motherly devotion for even after the fish have been released, the mother would usually take them back into her mouth when they are in danger. African cichlids are protective parents. They are known to raise their young even in crowded fish communities. 

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Cichlid Behaviour

There are many reasons why cichlids behaviour becomes aggressive. It can happen when another fish encroaches into their territory or tries to steal food or a potential mate. In such cases, a cichlid shows aggression by flaring its gills and spreading its fins to make it look as large as possible. If the other fish isn’t deterred, one may progress to tail beating in which a cichlid attempts to show its strength by pushing water at its rival. This escalates to a face-to-face combat, which includes mouth wrestling and lip locking and, finally, chasing each other in a circle and attempting to bite the other.

For more information go to http://www.keepingcichlids.com/