In nature, there are fish, which, although belong to the same family, but look absolutely different. The most striking representatives of this natural phenomenon were the African cichlids, the birthplace of which became African lakes. Specialists counted about 1500 fish of the family Cichlova, which is an absolute record. Cichlids are pleased with their enchanting coloration and unusual body shapes. But their most striking feature is unpretentiousness. This property greatly facilitates the care.
Types of African cichlids
It is extremely difficult to list all types of aquarium cichlids, so you will distinguish several bright types:
- Aulonocara nyassae . The maximum size is 15 cm. Orange-red male, violet-gray female. The average temperature of the content is 26 degrees. The calculation of water is made by them. You can use frozen, dry and live food.
- Copadichromis borleyi . The size is 16 -17 cm. Blue head, red body, on the fins white border. The water temperature is around 25 degrees. Requires a powerful aerator and a high - quality filter . Meals: small crustaceans, dry feed of high quality.
- Cyrtocara moorii . Body length is 20 cm. Blue color, high body, fat frontal growth. The acceptable water temperature is 26 degrees. Aeration and filtration of water is required. In the aquarium you need snags and stones.
- Iodotropheus sprengerae or "cichlid rusty". Grow up to a maximum of 11 cm. Violet body, dark copper head. The average temperature for the content is 25 degrees. They feed on a variety of algae, as well as animal food.
Contents of African cichlids
Do you want to get these fish? Learn to accept their game rules. They have a pronounced temperament, so you can often see "wars" with neighbors around the aquarium. With a shortage of seats, they begin to express aggression clearly. There is limited compatibility of African cichlids with acne, botsia, akstronotusami, barbs and labeo. There are cases when, in creating ideal conditions, cichlids live together with other fish. But everything is strictly individual.
Experienced aquarists argue that African cichlids rarely endure diseases, but everything for prevention is desirable to create a comfortable environment for them. In the content of each fish species, it is advisable to follow the following tips:
- do not allow the stressful condition of even one individual;
- To reduce stress, provide the aquarium with plants, soil and driftwood;
- watch out for the content of nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate compounds;
- The temperature should be strictly 26-28 degrees.
Symptoms of a possible disease can be restless behavior, bloating or general lethargy. In this case, you need to separate the fish from the rest and check the water parameters.