Cichlids facts and information

Everything you need to know about cichlids

Where do cichlids come from

Cichlids are fish species coming from the family of Cichlidae. Cichlids are basically freshwater fishes and they are found in tropical America, mainland Africa etc

Cichlids profile 

Cichlids vary from vegetarian to carnivorous depending on their species. They are specific for their complex mating and breeding actions.

Cichlids come in huge variety of beautiful colors and shapes, and their sizes can actually range from about an inch to nearly three feet in length!

 Cichlids are very truculent and a separate cichlid tank must be kept if you want to avoid tankmates becoming lunch for cichlids.

Cichlids habitat

Cichlids are found in freshwaters within their geographic range which includes rivers, lakes, swamps, and you can even find them in ditches and puddles. 

You can't find them at high elevations and they usually like water which is warmer than about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What do cichlids need in a tank?

For cichlids you should add rocks, plants and decent decorations in their tank. Since cichlids are territorial, so you must provide them with  sufficient hiding areas so each fish can establish their own territory. 

Cichlid tank mates

Best tank mates for cichlids are 

• Zebra Loach
• Giant Danios
• Leopard Bush Fish
• Plecostomus

Cichlids Diet

Cichlids can be herbivorous and they can feed on a huge variety of zooplankton and phytoplankton like diatoms, also including green algae.

They can be carnivorous too. In this situation they will prey on tiny wildlife, other fishes, and insects.

Should I feed my cichlids everyday?

You must feed adult cichlids once a day, and in order to keep them fit and healthy, you must give them little or less food than usual once in a week, or even not give them food at all. Don't get worried, It does not hurt them!! 

How big are cichlids

Most cichlid species have a classical fish shaped beautiful body design and they come in a rainbow of pretty colors. Some of the cichlids species grow to only 4 cm, but the largest cichlid which is Boulengerochromis microlepis, can reach a size up to range of 90 cm which is 3ft. 

Do cichlids like hard or soft water?

Cichlids love hard and alkaline water. Cichlids which belong from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika in East Africa love water with a pH range of 8 or over, and they need hard water to be healthy and happy.

What's the best setup for cichlids?

The bigger the tank size is, the happier your cichlids will be!! Cichlids grow to a larger size, so the bigger the tank is the better they will swim. The base of the environment should be substrate/sand. 

How many cichlids should be kept together?

African cichlids prefer when they are crowded with other African cichlids, but they should be monitored for truculent behaviour and must be removed if situation is worse

Fun Facts about cichlids

Cichlids are exceptionally diverse family of fish species. Most of the cichlids are found in rift lakes located in Africa.

Every year new species of cichlids are discovered. Because scientists can't decide  how many types of cichlids there are.

Some cichlids are known as substrate spawners. In this situation of reproduction, the female cichlid lays a string of eggs, and then the male fertilizes it. The male cichlid and female cichlid then protect the eggs until they hatch.