| Touchy, temperamental, beautiful, brilliant. All of | | | | magnesium) as well as a tablespoon of baking |
| these adjectives can be used to describe the | | | | soda (highly basic, will raise pH), and a teaspoon of |
| African Cichlid. Some of the most beautiful | | | | a basic aquarium salt. |
| freshwater fish in the world, they are also some | | | | Temperature |
| of the most fickle. However, if you follow some | | | | Temperature is perhaps the easiest variable to |
| basic rules, you wont be left saying "Why did my | | | | control, but also one that many people let go. |
| African Cichlid die?" | | | | (Who hasn't forgotten to plug an aquarium heater |
| There are four basic things you need to watch | | | | in?) Like most freshwater fish, cichlids have an |
| and plan for when raising African Cichlids: water | | | | optimal water temperature in the mid 70s. Be |
| hardness (mineral content), pH, temperature, and | | | | forewarned that warmer temperatures can |
| space. | | | | contribute to higher aggression in you African |
| Water hardness | | | | Cichlids. Try to keep it around 74 degrees. |
| African Cichlids are native to lakes that have | | | | Space |
| extraordinarily high levels of minerals. Because of | | | | African Ciclids are quite territorial and known to be |
| this, aquariums often have to be supplemented | | | | aggressive. Many people will not raise Cichlids |
| with minerals, especially if you want the bright | | | | because they think they are doomed to kill one |
| colors that Cichlids are known for. Most aquarium | | | | another. This is not true. While Cichlid aggression |
| shops will sell mineral additives specifically meant | | | | can be a problem for the inexperienced |
| for Cichlid tanks. Do not skimp on good minerals! | | | | enthusiast, you can keep it to a minimum by |
| Using a good filtering substrate - like crushed | | | | providing the fish with hiding spaces. Note that live |
| limestone or coral - will also add minerals to the | | | | plants will die in the high pH water, so better to |
| water. | | | | use fake plants. Other than that, provide lots of |
| Alkaline WaterpH is a measure of how acid (low | | | | rocks. With enough space to stay out of each |
| pH) or alkaline (high pH) something is. Water | | | | other's gills, African Cichlids usually do not fight to |
| generally has a neutral pH of about 7.0. However, | | | | the death. |
| African Cichlids like a higher pH, Most of the | | | | Summary |
| African rift lakes where Cichlids are found have | | | | Cichlids may take a little more work than your |
| pHs above 8.0 for much of the year. While pH | | | | average aquarium fish, however they can be |
| can fluctuate from about 7.2 - 9.0 in the wild, for | | | | successfully kept by even the newest fish |
| the home aquarium stabilizing around 8.2 will keep | | | | enthusiast. By paying attention to pH and mineral |
| your African Cichlids healthy. | | | | content especially, you can have healthy African |
| If professional aquarium buffers are too | | | | Cichlids that show their vibrant colors. With a little |
| expensive for you, you can use a home-made | | | | research and planning, you won't have to say |
| water-hardener that will also raise the pH. For | | | | "Why did my African Cichlids die?" Instead, you'll |
| every five gallons of aquarium water, try adding a | | | | be able to say, "Come look at my awesome |
| table of inexpensive Epsom Salts (calcium, | | | | aquarium! |