| One of the most common aquarium fish that are | | | | increase the metabolism of the cichlid fishes and |
| a favorite of aquarists are the cichlid. They are | | | | thus increase his appetite. However, it should also |
| preferred by many because they have amusing | | | | be regulated and should not be increased more |
| colors and forms. Aside from that, they are not | | | | because it might keep the fish in an always |
| hard to look after for. It is quit enjoying looking at | | | | aggressive mode. Lowering the temperature is |
| them swimming in a graceful manner and hiding in | | | | one way of keeping the cichlid calm. |
| the aquarium's accessories. | | | | In terms of ph level, 7.5-8 is the ideal level in the |
| Cichlids fish belong to the Family Cichlidae. Few of | | | | tank. Avoid changing the ph level from time to |
| the most well known cichlid species include the | | | | time and settle on a permanent one because it |
| Angelfish, Oscar, Jack Dempsey and Discus. The | | | | will naturally affect the health of your pet. In |
| Family Cichlidae is an enormously diverse family | | | | relation to keeping the water in the tank clean is |
| which is why most cichlids live in varying | | | | the need for filtration. There are many types of |
| environments too. These different cichlid species | | | | filters that are available today. You can |
| have evolved in order to fit their own specific | | | | conveniently choose among them to keep the |
| habitats. They vary significantly too when it | | | | water in its best condition. The most common |
| comes to size, temperament, feeding habits, | | | | types include sponge filters and undergravel filters. |
| preferred water quality. Most of them can be | | | | As to foods, cichlids have no preference of |
| found in Africa but there are those that are | | | | favorite. They eat a lot of variety of foods. |
| caught in rivers, lakes and ponds. | | | | Cichlids devour on flakes and pellets, frozen, and |
| You can buy cichlid fishes in different pet stores. | | | | even live food like earthworm and crickets. You |
| Before bringing it home, be sure that you have | | | | must feed them in smaller quantities but |
| picked the healthy one. Be sure too that it is the | | | | frequently instead of giving them a large amount |
| type that you really want and the size it ideal for | | | | at one time. They should also be provided with |
| the tank that you have. Buy the necessary tools | | | | areas or blocks to hide. The ideal ones include |
| that you need too in keeping the fishes. | | | | rocks and drift woods. Aside from keeping them |
| With regards to the temperature, the ideal range | | | | busy, it also adds to the natural look of your |
| of temperature would be between 74 F and 82 F, | | | | aquarium. These are also needed because |
| the optimum temperature being 78 F. For a tank | | | | sometimes, cichlid fishes can be very aggressive |
| of fry you could raise the temperature to | | | | and such accessories will make a good hide for |
| between 80 F and 82 F. A higher temperature will | | | | smaller cichlids. |