Cichlids....

[icebear]

I have always owned fish, but mostly basic community fish and the occasional oscar or interesting catfish (i love weird and unique catfish)


But i know very little about cichlids, (i know not to call them CHICK-lids) and what i think i know is shaky in confidence... what are some BASICS of cichclid keeping...lakes, the ph thing, agression comparisons etc.... educate me, i am very interested in learning something new about them!

[Gilraen Took]

http://www.theoscarspot.com/index.ph...=49&board=44.0

http://www.theoscarspot.com/index.ph...9&topic=2268.0

[betamed]

They're kinda like the FW equivilent of damsels in terms of personality.

[icebear]

Thanks for the links Gilraen!


betamed, yeah....this is a good description...lol

[crvz]

I kept them a number of years ago, and I was pretty ignorant about it. I didnt do anything but water changes with tap water and run an undergravel filter. There's probably a lot more to it do be successful, but I never lost a fish during the 3-4 years I had them...

[Biz73]

There are many different types of cichlids, so general info is difficult. Discus and Angelfish(freshwater) are cichlids, and I wouldn't say they act like damsels. You mentioned Oscars, which are South American cichlids.

I'm guessing you want info on African Cichlids, most likely Malawi and Tanganyikan. Even between these two lakes there are so many different types of behaviors, that generalizations are hard to make.

Do you have any specific types of fish you are interested in? List them here and I'll tell you what I can.

Here's one of my personal favorites:


Justin

[Biz73]

Sorry about the huge pic, I just linked it off of photobucket, I thought it would be re-sized.

Justin

[frankandmaura]

Man...that is an ugly fish (only a lump a mother could love).

Nice coloring though.

[scootingblenny]

if you are refering to tanganyika or malawi cichlids than they are pretty easy. they were one of the first serious fish i went into after the community tank phase when i was just starting the hobby. the one thing to keep in mind is only put other african cichlids in the same tank as other africans. there are a few exceptions. I have some small bottom feeding catfish and a bichir in my african tank. the intresting thing about africans is they like their tank water similiar to salt water (high pH around 8.0) so it is a nice idea to use crushed coral as a substrate to buffer the water (though they're so hardy it really doesn't matter)

[Glockafella]

frontosa cichlids are cool..

I've kept cichlids for some time now. they love sand...most people dont know that they will make nests and burrow in the sand. Keep the PH high and the water temp around 78...

If u r just starting a cichlid tank build i would start off with a planted tank for 6 months and get discus when u get your cycle finished and water stable.

there are many types and colors of discus...they are real beauts