Features of keeping aquarium fish cichlids

Aquarium fish cichlids are not only beautiful and interesting, but also smart creatures, and this is a rather rare property for aquarium inhabitants. These unusual creatures will decorate the artificial pond and become the real pride of the owner, but it is important to maintain all conditions for the favorable existence of fish and follow the rules of care. And then the pets will delight their owner as long as possible.

Cichlids belong to the order of percussion, there are several varieties of them, differing in color and shape. The same goes for fish sizes. For example, shell species do not grow more than 2 cm, and their relatives called Umbie can reach half a meter. Under natural conditions, they can grow even up to a meter. For small decorative aquariums, small species are suitable, and for keeping Umbie you need a huge capacity.

It is known that in nature some species are no longer found, others are on the verge of extinction. In general, these fish prefer to settle in the waters of Asia, Africa, Latin America. At home, with proper maintenance, these unusual creatures survive up to 8-10 years.

The most unusual character trait of cichlids is the ability to recognize the host. This is expressed in the fact that the owner is ready to take fish from the owner’s hand, but the stranger doesn’t. Also, these creatures are interesting in that already in their teens they choose a mate for life. In addition, this is the rare case when parents take care of eggs, do not allow predators to them, they fan themselves with fins. Also, adult fish monitor the hatched fry.

Cichlids love to swarm in the ground, and large species can intentionally uproot aquarium plants and turn stones over. Observing the behavior of these creatures is very interesting. In their aquarium, their world, their own life, which depends on the responsibility of the owner.

Populating the aquarium with cichlids, it is better to refuse to buy representatives of a species of different origin. So, it is not recommended to grow together South American and African individuals. As already mentioned young parents become aggressive during the spawning season and often come into conflict with their neighbors who swam too close to the calf. By relatives, these fish are more restrained.

For living even small cichlids, you will need a glass aquarium with a volume of at least 60 liters. For large species, a "home" of 200-400 liters is needed. Depending on the variety, the configuration of the aquarium is also selected. For example, for individuals with an elongated body, you should buy a low tank, and scalar and discus are more suitable for high capacity. Constant water temperature should be in the range of 21-27 degrees, For this, do not forget to purchase a special aquarium thermometer, if it does not come with the aquarium by default.

Plant hard-leaved plants in the sandy soil. Vegetation with softer greens will quickly eat fish. Do not forget about stones, driftwood, mainsail and other decorative elements. Firstly, these objects perform an aesthetic function, and secondly, they serve as a shelter for cichlids.

At the same time, remember that these active creatures love not only to visually examine objects encountered along the way, but also to try to turn them over, therefore for larger individuals, buy the heaviest “decorations”. Try to put all the decorative objects in such a way that they become borders for the habitats of individual species. The fact is that cichlids huddle in flocks and together “inhabit” their territory, protecting it from strangers.

Aquarists recommend observing a number of fish care rules.

• Drain a third of the water once a week and pour fresh in the same volume. Get a siphon that will clean the bottom and soil from food debris and waste.
• Watch the behavior of the fish every day. If an individual seems passive, it is characterized by unnatural behavior, put it in quarantine so that the disease does not spread to other inhabitants of the aquarium.
• Pay particular attention to feeding. The basis of the diet should be a tubulator, daphnia, bloodworm, special food, vegetation in granules, animal food (for example, beef or pork heart).
• Do not abuse frequent water changes. Each aquarium is filled with its own world of bacteria, which, under the influence of a filter, begin to remove dirt and waste. It takes time to fully populate the bacteria, and without them, the fish will feel uncomfortable. Therefore, with a complete change of water, always leave at least some part of the old one so that the cichlids quickly adapt to new conditions, because for them, changing the liquid is like moving for a person.

Common causes of various fish diseases are improper feeding and temperature abnormalities. The most common ailment for cichlids is ichthyophthyroidism. It can be recognized by tight fins and scratching the fish on the ground. White plaque is visible on the body.

In general, cichlids have fairly good health, but with illiterate content, their immunity decreases, and it is the weak immune system that becomes the main cause of infection with ichthyophthyroidism. Saprolegniosis is another disease that often affects aquarium fish. Symptoms are a fungus on the body of marine life.

To avoid illness, it is important to feed the fish properly. Thus, immunity is reduced if aquarium pets do not receive live food for a long time, because it contains amino acids that are important for health. In order not to catch a cichlid, you must always monitor the temperature of the water.

The reproduction of cichlids differs from the same process in other aquarium fish. Some species carry offspring in the oral cavity, while others attach eggs to aquarium vegetation. Parents look after fry until they can independently get food. Both female and male protect cubs from enemies. At first, parents feed their babies with secretion released from their bodies, or burp shredded food.

To speed up the breeding process, It is recommended to increase the water temperature by 2-3 degrees. The cichlid family selects a flat stone as a spawning site, so be sure to put it on the bottom. Further, the female and the male themselves organize a place for breeding offspring: they will clean the surface, hide future children behind slides of soil. When the eggs are laid and the male is engaged in fertilization, it is important not to disturb the pets for a couple of hours. If individuals reproduce by incubation in the mouth, the female swallows the eggs and milk herself, then fertilization is carried out in the throat sac.

On what to look for when buying cichlids, you will learn further.