to ask but the info would be really helpful thanks sharkmanhi i want ciclids because they sound a challenge to keep them plz could u tell me what PH to keep them at and what temp to keep them at and what they eat would be helpful to and the size of the tank i know its alot to ask but the info would be really helpful thanks sharkman*GOLDFISH*
plz tell me how to look after cichlids
- Thread starter sharkman
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what kind of cichlids are you looking to get? There are different types that take different water parimeters and tank sizes. As far as Africans go, they take a higher PH of around 7.8-9.0. Tank size also varies whereas shelldwellers from Lake Tanganyika need a 10gallon, most malawi mbuna and peacocks need at least a 55gallon, and then you have some larger species from both lakes that need at least a 125+(C. frontosa, Champsochromis).
For A LOT of cichlids......bigger is better, in the size of the tank.
I personally don't worry about my pH and keep the temp at about 74-78.
Some cichlids arn't hard to keep and are just like many community fish.
We need a little more info on what you are looking to get. Malawi? Tanganykia? South American? These all come in a WIDE selection of shapes and colors. Malawis are the most colorful. I would say Malawi and South Americans are the easiest to get and are sold at most LFS.
HOpe this helps some. Do some more research, check out www.cichlid-forum.com
I personally don't worry about my pH and keep the temp at about 74-78.
Some cichlids arn't hard to keep and are just like many community fish.
We need a little more info on what you are looking to get. Malawi? Tanganykia? South American? These all come in a WIDE selection of shapes and colors. Malawis are the most colorful. I would say Malawi and South Americans are the easiest to get and are sold at most LFS.
HOpe this helps some. Do some more research, check out www.cichlid-forum.com
Or apistos , laetacara, cleithacara, dicrossus,small bururqiuna, steatocranus, telmatochromis, teleogramma or several hundred other small cichlids.
There's a lot of cichlids, from 1 inch to 3 fet - what sort of cichlids do you like sharkman. Most aren't too tricky, but many are intolerant of incorrect conditions.
There's a lot of cichlids, from 1 inch to 3 fet - what sort of cichlids do you like sharkman. Most aren't too tricky, but many are intolerant of incorrect conditions.
Kribs and shellies are probably among the easiest to keep.
I've been researching both those type of cichlids lately, since i'm thinking about a smaller tank (hah! 20-30G is small??) for my bedroom
they're easy to breed and pretty interesting to look at too
and kinda nice that they dont need a 55G tank to roam around in!
I've been researching both those type of cichlids lately, since i'm thinking about a smaller tank (hah! 20-30G is small??) for my bedroom
they're easy to breed and pretty interesting to look at too
and kinda nice that they dont need a 55G tank to roam around in!
First, i can start of by saying that Chichlids are not an extemely hard fish to keep. Depending on the kind of chichlid you want to buy, I would recommend no smaller than a 32 gallon tank. As for water temperature, the majority of chichlids prefer a 77- 80 degree tank. I don't check my pH as often as I should, but I would try to keep it between 7.6 and 8.4.
You need to be careful about what types of chichlids you put together in your tank, some can become very aggresive. And be sure not to pack your tank full.. start off with about 2, just to make sure that they can adapt to your tank environment. I personally prefer the Jack Dempsy's and Oscar's just becuase they are beautiful fish and they do the most bizzare things in the tank, fun fish to watch.
You need to be careful about what types of chichlids you put together in your tank, some can become very aggresive. And be sure not to pack your tank full.. start off with about 2, just to make sure that they can adapt to your tank environment. I personally prefer the Jack Dempsy's and Oscar's just becuase they are beautiful fish and they do the most bizzare things in the tank, fun fish to watch.
i feel like i need to do my civic duty for anyone reading this in the future.
CICHlids are not a fish, they are a family of fish-- many of them are very easy to keep, but some are not.
this completely depends upon the species. a 30 gallon tank is much too small for jack dempsies and oscar (as mentioned below) but MORE than adequate for shelldwellers, south american dwarf species, etc.
your ph should be a CONSTANT value, not "inbetween 7.6 and 8.4-- ph fluctuations are harmful to fish.
very true.
huh? what species? what tank size?
i agree that this is best for many species, but many/most african cichlid hobbyists use "controlled crowding" to reduce aggression.
this isnt meant to be offensive, but it needs to be cleared up.
M
CICHlids are not a fish, they are a family of fish-- many of them are very easy to keep, but some are not.
this completely depends upon the species. a 30 gallon tank is much too small for jack dempsies and oscar (as mentioned below) but MORE than adequate for shelldwellers, south american dwarf species, etc.
your ph should be a CONSTANT value, not "inbetween 7.6 and 8.4-- ph fluctuations are harmful to fish.
very true.
huh? what species? what tank size?
i agree that this is best for many species, but many/most african cichlid hobbyists use "controlled crowding" to reduce aggression.
this isnt meant to be offensive, but it needs to be cleared up.
M