| Keeping Cichlids can be a very enjoyable and | | | | the different species of these fish. Specifically, |
| rewarding hobby. If you are just starting out | | | | they can be very different between the different |
| learning how to keep these remarkable and | | | | American Cichlids and African Cichlids. Salinity and |
| intelligent aquarium fish, I am sure that you are | | | | ph levels can even be diverse between the |
| filled with questions. | | | | different lakes in Africa that particular African |
| Here are a few tips to keeping cichlids healthy and | | | | Cichlids are native to. If your cichlids are going to |
| happy. | | | | thrive, whether they are African or New World |
| The first thing that you need to do when keeping | | | | Cichlids, temperature and water chemistry must |
| cichlids is to consider what size that your cichlids | | | | be monitored. |
| will be when they are fully mature. If you have | | | | Keeping cichlids with aquatic plants can sometimes |
| gotten bitten by the Oscar bug and have fallen in | | | | be a challenge. I love a lush aquarium full of |
| love with these very personable fish, you are | | | | vibrant vegetation, but this can sometimes be |
| simply going to need a large tank. I would | | | | impossible with certain types of cichlids. South |
| recommend that you keep them in at least a 55 | | | | American Cichlid varieties seem to do a lot better |
| gallon aquarium, and that's just for a pair of | | | | with plant life than Africans do. After having said |
| Oscars. Smaller varieties of cichlids will need a | | | | that, Oscars will simply dig them up and destroy |
| smaller tank. Yep, it's as simple as that. | | | | your aquascape. Angels however, do very well |
| Secondly, water salinity and ph levels, among | | | | with plants such as Amazon Swords. |
| other variables, can be very different between | | | | |