Basics for keeping healthy Cichlid fish: Most African Cichlids pefer clean water with a PH of 7.8 to 8.0, a moderate hardness, and a temperature of 78 to 80 degress fahrenheit. To acheive these conditions, we suggest using a) hanging filter(s), a canister filter, or a sump pump filter, b) an undergravel filter, or better yet an Under Gravel Jet System, c) African Cichlid Stones, or crused Coral Stones, and d) a reliable heater. Kent Cichlid Buffer may also be used to help control PH and water hardness. Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt may be added to duplicate the natural elements found in the cichlid enviornment. Adding the proper amount of Cichlid Salt to your Cichlid's enviorment, also tends to help enhance African Cichlid Color.
Feeding: There are four types of African Cichlids: Predators (Fish Eaters), Micro-Predators (Small Invertebrates or Plankton Eaters), Omnivores (Vegetation and Small Invertebrate Eaters), and Grazers (Plant Life Eaters). Therefore, we recommend feeding African Cichlids, in Mixed Community Aquiriums, a variety of foods. Our favoriates include: O.S.I. Spirulina, Cichlid Excel, Kent Platinum Cichlidxteeme, and New Life Spectrum Fish Food. All of these, along with many other food options, can be found in our aStore. Beware, however, of foods with high protein levels, especially Brime Shrimp Pelets. Too much of high protein foods can cause bloat, often with fatal consequences. If you choose to feed brime shrimp, feed only live brime shrimp in small portions.
With few exceptions, Male Cichlids develope the most vibrant colors, often rivaling that of some salt water fish. However, because African Ciclids are freshwater fish, they tend to be much eaiser to keep in the aquairium enviorment than salt water fish. To help males develope their maximum color, we recommend a female tank mate of the same species. Beware, however, that multiple males of the same type or with similar colors, do not mix well in the same tank. In some cases, one male in the group will tend to become dominate, and he will be the only male to reach full color. In the worst case, males may fight until only the strongest is left.
Accumulating New Arrivals to Your Aquarium: When you receive your fish from us we suggest that you take them inside immediately. Open the box(es), remove any heater packs (winter time), and let the fish set in their bags for 30 to 45 minutes, in order for their water temperature to come to room temperature. Next open the bags. Put your incoming fish, and the water the arrive in, into a clean (used for fish only) Bucket.
Method A) Run a small air hose from the water in your tank. Put a knot in the hose to reduce water flow to a slow drip. Allow the drip to continue until the bucket is twice as full, as when you started. Remove one fish at a time from the bucket, with a net, and add this fish, to your tank. Watch for signs of stress. If this fish shows none, continue adding fish to your tank, using a net.
Method B) Add a cup of water from your tank, to the bucket of incoming fish every 15 minutes, for 45 minutes. Fifteen minutes after adding the third cup of water, trying using a net to add one fish, to your tank. If the first fish shows no signs of stress after 10 to 15 minutes, continue to add the remaining fish to your tank, using a net.
If the first fish shows signs of stress, extend the drip, or add an additional cup of water to your bucket of incoming fish, and wait 15 minutes, before trying to add any more new fish, to your tank. When all of your new fish are added to your tank, throw away the water in your bucket. Wash the bucket out with water, wipe it dry, and store it, for the next time you add fish. |  | | Cichlids Advanced |
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