| When in search for show quality aquarium | | | | population ratio, proper tankmates and suitable |
| inhabitants, African Cichlids are always among the | | | | tank size. |
| top options. These vibrantly colored creatures are | | | | In setting up a tank for your African Cichlids, |
| not only attractive but their social and active | | | | understanding their basics is of great importance. |
| nature makes them most interesting to keep as | | | | These species are natives of three of African |
| they create the most alive and entertaining tanks | | | | lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria, all with hard |
| you'll ever come across with. Their unique | | | | water qualities and quite high pH levels. It is |
| patterns and colorations make up a fabulous | | | | necessary to pay close attention to your tank |
| underwater display. Apart from their being social, | | | | water's properties and maintain it at the healthiest |
| the most important characteristics of African | | | | levels for your fishes. Apart from mimicking the |
| Cichlids, something not all fishes exhibit, is their | | | | water conditions, the tank's environment should |
| degree of intelligence. | | | | be set up to resemble its natural habitat. Their |
| This species possess a lot of other important | | | | lakes of origin are generally rocky. The tank |
| qualities. Though not the only species of | | | | should have rocks, corals, wood pieces and even |
| mouthbrooders, such quality of African cichlids still | | | | decorative clay pots can make them feel quite |
| sets them apart from many other fishes. While | | | | closer to their natural home. A bigger tank better |
| most freshwater species popularly kept in | | | | deals with their territorial nature, allowing more |
| aquariums do not get larger than 2 or even 3 | | | | areas to claim for the aggressive ones, and areas |
| inches, the larger size of African cichlids makes | | | | of cover for the rest. A good filtration system is |
| them more appealing to aquarists. They normally | | | | expected to be installed since these fishes are |
| grow up to 4 to 6 inches, but could sometimes | | | | voracious eater and could produce a lot of waste. |
| reach 9 inches in size. Known as hardy fishes, | | | | These fishes also love to dig, so putting up plants |
| they can tolerate varying water pH levels. The | | | | in your African cichlid tank would result to having |
| ease of care and maintenance involved in keeping | | | | them uprooted every now and them and could |
| African cichlids qualify them as those best to | | | | quite be a lot of work for the aquarium keeper. |
| keep for beginning aquarists. As they possess | | | | Since plants somehow help in algae control, its |
| quite a territorial nature too, there is a tendency | | | | absence is dealt with the control of lighting |
| for this species to be aggressive. Such could be | | | | intensity. There are many options for substrate |
| managed though with the proper male to female | | | | that would emphasize its physical attributes. |