| African Cichlids originate from the East African rift | | | | means rocks, stones and driftwood should make |
| valley lakes, notably Lake Tanganyika, Lake | | | | up the terrain of your tank. Cichlids will often |
| Malawi and Lake Victoria. Cichlids are popular with | | | | destroy plant life, either during breeding or, |
| Aquarists because of the large variety of species | | | | seemingly, for the fun of it, so you should avoid |
| to choose from. They are noted for having | | | | having plants in your Cichlid tanks. Plastic plants |
| diverse behaviors that can be entertaining to | | | | are an alternative if you like the look of greenery |
| watch. They have more human like behaviors, like | | | | in the aquarium. |
| tending for their young, than other types of fish | | | | Thus the layout and composition of your tank |
| that can endear them to the owner and viewers | | | | determines how your lighting should work. Some |
| of the aquarium. This variety and diversity often | | | | cichlids are more colorful and look better in bright |
| makes it difficult to set up a tank. This article will | | | | light. The majority are not that colorful and look |
| discuss some of the considerations of setting up a | | | | better in subdued light. Maybe install a rheostat |
| fish tank for African Cichlids and what type of | | | | controlled lighting system that can be adjusted to |
| light to use so that the fish can be viewed | | | | your needs if you have colorful and less colorful |
| properly. | | | | fish. |
| Firstly you should try to get the right blend of fish | | | | With no plants you do not need to have the lights |
| in your tank. Cichlids can be herbivorous or | | | | on all the time. Only turn the lights on when you |
| predatory. You should avoid putting herbivorous | | | | want to view the tank. This will reduce the |
| fish in with predatory fish unless they are | | | | amount of algae build up. |
| considerably bigger than the predatory fish. | | | | Lighting is essentially a personal choice that is |
| You should also try to keep the species from the | | | | determined by the type of fish that you are |
| specific lakes together. So keep Lake | | | | keeping and how many rocks and pieces of |
| Tanganyikan fish in one tank and Lake Malawian | | | | driftwood you have in your tank. Having a variable |
| fish in another. | | | | lighting system gives you the ability to turn the |
| Most African Cichlids are territorial and like caves | | | | lights off when not needed which will prevent |
| and crevices to create nests or to rest in. This | | | | algae growth and give your fish time rest. |