| The groups of fishes commonly referred to as | | | | lighting. We like to use Aquastars, Arcadia 's or |
| Cichlids, comprise a vast group of, generally larger | | | | Power Glo's. |
| and more aggressive fishes from Africa and | | | | The African Cichlid Tank |
| South and Central America with a few species | | | | The African Rift lake Cichlids from Lakes Malaqi, |
| being found in Asia. They offer such a large | | | | Tanganyika and Victoria have become a popular |
| variety of bright colors, shapes and habits that | | | | variety of fish for people who desire dramatic |
| they have become one of the most popular | | | | color, size and movement in their tanks. African |
| fishes kept by hobbyist's world wide. | | | | cichlids are quite aggressive and fast moving and |
| Such is the diversity of species, breeding habits | | | | should be kept in tanks set up for a community |
| and feeding that it becomes necessary to set up | | | | of African cichlids. |
| different groups of Cichlids in different tanks. | | | | Natural Habitat |
| Some of these include African Cichlids, American | | | | African Cichlids inhabit the rocky shorelines of the |
| Cichlids, Dwarf Cichlids or Discus. It is usually | | | | rift lakes of Africa . The water in these lakes is |
| recommended that you keep these like minded | | | | quite hard and alkaline. Large schools of fish graze |
| fishes together and don't mix them in general. | | | | algae from the rocky outcrop reefs. Amongst the |
| Selecting and Positioning Your Tank | | | | algae live small crustaceans which also constitute |
| Always try to choose a tank with the largest | | | | part of the diet of African cichlids. |
| possible surface area and volume as most cichlids | | | | The bottom of the lakes is sandy. Innumerable |
| grow quite large. Make sure you always have a | | | | caves formed between the boulders offer |
| glass cover to stop your fish jumping out. | | | | protection to young fish and brooding females. |
| Position your new aquarium so that you avoid | | | | Check out the Cichlid mansion and Amazon range |
| direct sunlight hitting the aquarium for too long as | | | | of backgrounds if you want realism and |
| this can cause excessive algae problems. | | | | something special. Most species from Lake Malawi |
| Choosing Gravel, Decor and Setting Up | | | | are mouth brooders and constitute a large |
| Cichlids are quite territorial and the more holes, | | | | proportion of the species available in the hobby. A |
| refuges and interesting "zones" you can create | | | | lot of the Tanganyikan species form lifetime pair |
| make for a much harmonized community. | | | | bonds and protect their young, while others are |
| A good starting point is to place in your tank a | | | | also mouth brooders. |
| background that can offer the realism and natural | | | | Rift Lake Water Conditioning |
| environment that these fish will feel very relaxed | | | | To recreate the hard alkaline water required by |
| and unstressed in. Check out the cichlid mansion | | | | these fish, shell grit or coral sand should be added |
| range from Aquarium + Reptile Rocks Inc if you | | | | to your gravel or used exclusively for the bottom. |
| want something extraordinary. | | | | African Rift lake sand is also becoming popular, |
| Next is the gravel we advise a fine blended gravel | | | | but can show up detritus badly. Good quality |
| as too coarse a gravel size allows uneaten food | | | | African Cichlid water conditioners like the |
| and waste to accumulate in the pockets between | | | | Seachem Rift Lake Salt and Buffers are a real |
| pebbles away from water flow that break it | | | | advantage in creating the right water conditions. |
| down. There are several varieties to choose from. | | | | There are several products that will remove both |
| Clean your gravel in small quantities in a bucket. | | | | chlorine and ammonia, but the best value |
| Three or four rinses should be sufficient. Place the | | | | is....Amquel Instant water Detoxifier. |
| cleaned gravel into your tank along with a little | | | | Setting up African Rift Lake Cichlids |
| water. | | | | As African cichlids come from rocky shoreline |
| Next to add some more "zones" you can add | | | | areas of the lakes, we suggest that intricate |
| cleaned rocks and driftwood and position them. | | | | rockwork form the basis of your set-up arranged |
| Triangulate your decorations to create a greater | | | | to form area's with numerous caves. The |
| depth of field and provide an amphitheatre where | | | | rockwork should be predominantly built up around |
| the fish can congregate in a community setting. | | | | the back and sides to leave a communal |
| Try to slope your gravel slightly towards the rear | | | | amphitheatre where all the interaction and displays |
| and sides using rocks and logs to create tiers and | | | | take place. A+RR Inc has a large range of rocks |
| depth. The lightweight rocks from A+RR Inc like | | | | which are extremely attractive and offer plenty |
| quartz rocks, north head ridge, barnacle, rock pool | | | | of hiding places. Plants are not essential to your |
| and charred wood make this fun and easy to do. | | | | African community tank because African Cichlids, |
| When you have the major decorations in place, | | | | being omnivorous, will eat your plants except for |
| add a little water, if this is a little dirty from the | | | | something such as Anubias. One option here is to |
| gravel siphon this dirty water out again into your | | | | cut some holes in barnacle rock which allows the |
| bucket. | | | | greenery to be seen but protects the base in the |
| Next fill your tank. Avoid disturbing the gravel by | | | | gravel from the fish. Plastic plants instead make a |
| using a plate or newspaper onto which you can | | | | good addition. |
| direct the water flow. Some coral sand is a good | | | | Adding African Rift Lake Cichlids |
| addition to an African tank, while white Rift Lake | | | | Try to crowd your African cichlids without taxing |
| Sand looks great for Africans also but can show | | | | your filtration and water change management. |
| up detritus badly. These aspects will be discussed | | | | This stops individuals from becoming too dominant |
| further later. | | | | and harassing others. |
| Preparing your Tap Water | | | | We find it best to start with small to medium |
| Next we must treat our tap water to remove | | | | sizes of fishes of several species in groups of |
| harmful chlorine and ammonia. There are several | | | | four. |
| products that will remove both, the best value is | | | | (4 Electric Blue, 4 Electric Yellows, 4 Venustus, 4 |
| Amquel Instant water Detoxifier. | | | | Red Empress) |
| It is also necessary to replace electrolytes like, | | | | Of the Lake Malawi fishes, the most common |
| magnesium, and potassium making in tap water. | | | | species are Zebras, Pindani, Lombardoi and others. |
| The electrolytic aquarium salts are essential to | | | | People often start with these species as they are |
| fishes well being. Not only provide an anti-bacterial | | | | cheaper and show color while still young. Many |
| effect, but help fishes produce body slime to | | | | hobbyists progress to the slightly more expensive |
| protect themselves from infection and create an | | | | and spectacular 'Haplochromis' group, like Electric |
| essential osmotic barrier so they do not | | | | Blues, Red Empress and the Peacocks where only |
| dehydrate. Make sure it is dissolved before adding | | | | the males exhibit the most amazing color as they |
| to your aquarium. | | | | mature. In general Take Tanganyika fishes are a |
| There are also several products we can use to | | | | bit more expensive and comprise some of the |
| specific water conditions for African and Discus. | | | | most sought after species like Frontosa, |
| To calculate water volume: consider 10cm x 10cm | | | | "Lanprologus" and Trheus. |
| x 10cm = 1 liter. So length (cm) x Width (cm) x | | | | Feeding Africans |
| Height (cm) divided by 1000 = Volume (liters). | | | | Feeding African Cichlids the right type of foods is |
| Biological Filter Supplementation | | | | very important. African Cichlids have extremely |
| The Best way to get crystal clear water is to | | | | long intestinal tracts, like omnivores, which means |
| pro-actively provide bacteria cultures as biological | | | | that foods (meat, worms etc.) will take a long |
| filter supplement. In our opinion WASTE | | | | time to digest. Inappropriate foods will rot in their |
| CONTROL and CYCLE used in conjunction with | | | | stomachs causing bloating, sickness and |
| one another or HBH TERMINITE are the best | | | | sometimes death. For this reason foods with a |
| way to enhance your filtration and stay ahead of | | | | large proportion of spirulina and vegetables are |
| the game. People using these products simply do | | | | best. Our favourites, HBH VEGE or Cichlid Flakes |
| not encounter the same problems as people who | | | | and Pellets are perfect. Super Bits are also |
| take a minimalist approach (don't use a filter | | | | eagerly taken but we do not like to feed Super |
| supplement) and end up constantly reacting to | | | | Bits exclusively, but rather combined with Spirulina |
| problems. These bacteria cultures help convert all | | | | based foods. Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp |
| organic wastes to ammonia then further to nitrite | | | | are also good for most species, but meats and |
| and finally to nitrate. To establish your tanks | | | | live blackworm are definitely no-no's. |
| bacteria populations can take several weeks but is | | | | The American Cichlid Tank |
| accelerated greatly by adding supplements. Do not | | | | American Cichlids are larger growing and slower |
| overstock your new aquarium during this run in | | | | moving than their African cousins. They are also |
| period. | | | | far more predatory and are happy with a higher |
| Filtration | | | | protein than Africans. For these reasons we do |
| All good filters provide ample filter media surface | | | | not recommend keeping American and African |
| areas for the colonization of aerobic (oxygen | | | | Cichlids together. Of course there is always the |
| breathing) denitrifying bacteria which break down | | | | odd exception. |
| fish waste. The greater the volume of the filter | | | | Natural Habitat |
| and the greater the flow rate, the bigger the | | | | The natural habitat of the Central and South |
| population of bacteria to keep your tank clean. | | | | American cichlids is quite different to that of |
| This is Biological filtration. All good filters should | | | | Africans. Logs and branches in general replace |
| provide some sponge as Mechanical filtration. | | | | rocky outcrops still having a background that can |
| Chemical filtration is also important. We always | | | | provide safe secure retreats are important. We |
| use ammonia remover as a safeguard. Carbon is | | | | feel darker gravel such as the Red Gravel blend |
| also beneficial but Purigen is superior. It is | | | | suits the reflective colors of Americans, |
| rechargeable and will also remove log stains from | | | | compared to lighter substrates spawners who will |
| your tank (That is if you did not use the Charred | | | | form a pair bond. Spawns can produce hundreds |
| wood from A+RR Inc). Remember to rinse loose | | | | of fry, the parents will try to protect and nurture |
| particles out before adding to your filter. | | | | their babies instinctively. It is not uncommon for |
| Filter Types | | | | pairs of fish to spawn in the community tank, |
| Freshwater Trickle filters offer the most filtration | | | | although it is unlikely that the parents will be able |
| for large seriously stocked tanks. | | | | to protect babies from the hordes. Most |
| External Canister filers like the PRIME, EHEIM, | | | | American cichlids have also been in the hobby for |
| FLUVAL or VIA AQUA are the best of the | | | | a lot longer than Africans. Species like Oscars and |
| commercially available filters. They offer the | | | | Red Devils have become household names. |
| largest volume of media and can be concealed | | | | Water Conditioning |
| from view. All these brands have a simple priming | | | | American Cichlids are quite tolerant of water |
| system and excellent taps to isolate water in the | | | | conditions, but a pH close to neutral and low |
| tubing while the filter is cleaned. | | | | nitrates (regular water changes) provide a |
| Hang On styles like the AQUACLEAR and | | | | comfortable environment. Always treat new tap |
| AQUAONE are also very good. They possibly | | | | water well with XXXXXX and XXXXX as with all |
| provide the best value if your budget does not | | | | fish. |
| permit an external canister. Simple fill the filter | | | | Setting Up for American Cichlids |
| box with water and turn on. Water is pumped | | | | Use plenty of logs. Submerge some rocks into |
| through the filter and gravity flows back into your | | | | the substrate and add more structure on top... Do |
| tank. | | | | not be concerned by excessive color from new |
| Internal motorized filters like the CRYSTAL , RIO | | | | logs as this will become less with regular water |
| , and EIHEM are popular for smaller tanks or as a | | | | changing. You could use charred wood from |
| secondary filter for extra circulation in a large | | | | A+RR Inc here as well. Plastic plants attached to |
| tank. Internals usually do not interfere with top | | | | small crevice rock will provide a splash of color. Of |
| glass or hoods. These can be placed under one of | | | | course you can use one of the Amazon or Cichlid |
| your lightweight rocks. | | | | mansion backgrounds that will create a stunning |
| Air Operated filtration is often not sufficient for | | | | base for you to expand on. |
| cichlids. We do highly recommend air bubbling in | | | | Adding American Cichlids |
| Cichlid tanks. Be sure to use a Check Valve so | | | | Try to set up a large variety of young fish to |
| that water cannot flow back into your pump if | | | | grow up together. That way you will have far |
| power goes off. | | | | more compatible large fish when they grow up. |
| If you have a Cichlid Mansions or Amazon | | | | Our favourite species are Oscars, Red Devils, |
| background from A+RR Inc you can conceal a lot | | | | Texas , Firemouths, Severums etc. Give them |
| of the plumbing from view which makes for a | | | | plenty of room to grow. Often people will ask, |
| very attractive set up. | | | | "What can I put with my large Oscar who has |
| Water Changing | | | | lived alone for a year?" if you put another single |
| Although nitrate (residual waste) is relatively | | | | fish in, there is every chance that the new |
| harmless, the levels will accumulate and become | | | | inhabitant will be killed. We advised it is better to |
| dangerous if regular partial water changes are not | | | | trade in large fish and start with a community of |
| performed to dilute nitrates. Cichlids are large fish | | | | smaller Americans. |
| that eat a lot, so nitrates accumulate quickly. PH is | | | | Feeding Americans |
| also pulled dangerously lower by organic waste | | | | American cichlids will consume a large variety of |
| accumulation. Therefore, no matter how good | | | | foods. HBH make a range of American specific |
| your filtration is, you still must water change | | | | cichlid foods. Advance the size of the pellets as |
| regularly. We recommend a 1/3 - ½ water | | | | your young fish grow. A wide variety of frozen |
| change fortnightly to keep pH above neutral and | | | | foods are recommended in conjunction with live |
| nitrates low. | | | | foods including feeder fish. Only offer feeder fish |
| The best tool to assist you with water changes is | | | | as a treat, otherwise they will become fussy |
| a Lee's Gravel Vacuum. They allow you to | | | | about accepting prepared foods. |
| remove the dirtiestwater from around the gravel | | | | Dwarf Cichlids |
| and replace it with clean, treated tap water. This | | | | The most popular dwarf cichlids are the |
| task is easier to do and a better job done if you | | | | Apistogrammas and Microgeophagus (Rams) from |
| have lightweight rocks and décor. We | | | | South America and the Pelvicachromis (Kribensis) |
| recommend you test pH and nitrate weekly to | | | | from the Congo River system of Africa . These |
| ensure your water changing maintenance is | | | | dwarf cichlids are popular community fish that |
| sufficient to maintain this balance. PH can be | | | | may spawn in a community tank and exercise |
| maintained using PH UP, but the only easy way to | | | | parental care over their young if there is enough |
| remove nitrate is by water changing. | | | | cover. They prefer a good varied diet of |
| An important tip when changing. Rinse your filter | | | | prepared frozen and live foods. |
| media in your old aquarium water rather than | | | | Discus |
| under a tap as the chlorine in tap water will kill off | | | | Discuses are a popular group of cichlids kept by |
| the precious filter bacteria living in the foam and | | | | enthusiasts all over the world. Many claim Discus |
| other media. If you follow these procedures you | | | | are the "King of Fishes". Discus are definitely a fish |
| should never have to completely break your tank | | | | that require some experience, although they may |
| down to clean it out. | | | | be kept in a community tank. The major |
| Heating | | | | requirement to keeping Discus well is good water |
| If you want to keep Cichlids you will need to heat | | | | management and the best foods. Discuses seem |
| them. A good guide is approximately 1 watt of | | | | to metabolize quickly and need to be fed often |
| heating per liter of water. A higher wattage | | | | with high quality prepared and frozen foods. The |
| heater than necessary is often a good choice | | | | best are Tetra Bits with daily frozen food like |
| though because they can be used on larger | | | | Beef Heart and Liver and Discus Dinner. Once |
| aquariums. Position your heater in a back corner | | | | Discus are feeding well they are competitive and |
| at a 45 degree angle so that heat does not rise | | | | hardy. |
| directly onto the thermostat. Make sure that | | | | Discus are usually happy in low nitrate water with |
| there is good water movement around the | | | | pH slightly acidic and soft water which is very |
| heater to ensure that the element is heating. | | | | warm 29-32 Degrees Celcius. For breeding Discus, |
| Large cichlids can get quite boisterous, so a | | | | the fish need to be well conditioned on the best |
| heater guard will stop your heater being broken. | | | | foods. The best range of water conditioners for |
| We believe it necessary to also install a | | | | Discus are the Seachem range of Discus Buffers. |
| thermostat to check the heater. The stick on | | | | The major problem with Discus is their |
| types are the best in our opinion as the suction | | | | susceptibility to parasites like gill flakes as well as |
| cup type soon do not stick and require | | | | intestinal worms and flagellates. We advise regular |
| replacement. | | | | treatments for parasites with General Cure or |
| Lighting | | | | Worm-Rid, especially after Discus are newly |
| Lighting is necessary to view your fish at night | | | | purchased or moved. Intestinal worms are best |
| time. To achieve this we find it better to illuminate | | | | treated with Worm-Rid and flagellates with |
| your tank from afternoon until bed time when | | | | Octozin. An inexpensive, yet very good book is |
| people can more easily enjoy their tanks. Lighting | | | | the Barron's Discus Fishes. |
| left on all day will undoubtedly cause excessive | | | | Enjoy setting up your tank and we love receiving |
| algae problems. For best results with plants we | | | | your pictures of the products from A+RR Inc |
| recommend high intensity full spectrum white | | | | (Aquarium + Reptile Rocks Inc). |