Saturday, October 16, 2010

Cichlids Are The Most Appealing Choices For Your Fresh Water Tank

By Katherine Hall

In maintaining a fish aquarium in a home or office can add a picturesque of beauty and elegance which can have very positive effects on people. You pretty much have two options to choose from either a fresh water or salt water tank. The fresh water option is much easier to maintain however, the selection of fish and coral is much more limited in comparison to the salt water option. However, if you plan to populate your aquarium with Cichlids then, you will have a greater selection than any other fresh water fish.

The South American Cichlids make up about 400 to 600 known species with 311 of them being scientifically described. These Cichlids are a very adaptable species allowing them to exist in a wide array of environments and ecologies. Most of the South American Cichlids are known to be carnivores but, some of them feed on planktons, mollusks and other plant materials. You can find Cichlids from 2.5 centimeters to the larger ones that can become as large as 65 centimeters.

It's generally believed by most that Cichlids are difficult to handle however, this can't be further from the truth if you simply know what you're doing. When living in a fish tank, Cichlids are generally very sensitive and maintaining the proper PH levels, as well as, knowing precisely what to feed them is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, they may become very aggressive towards their other tank mates.

Because they can be very sensitive, in order to properly maintain Cichlids, you will need to know some important stats....What size aquariums is needed to allow them the freedom they need, the proper filters to use, cycling the aquarium, the correct water temperature, water testing, the best type of rocks and wood to use and how to prepare them, the best way to have life plants and how often to feed them.

And, if you plan to breed them, make sure you get the right advice from an expert. You will also need to become a skilled nurse by learning how to diagnose, treat and cure the most dangerous fish diseases. These suggestions are just some of the few ideas that you need to consider when starting a Cichlids fish tank.

In reference to the African species, they are known for having even beautiful patterns and array of colors that are not outside of other freshwater fish. They are quite fascinating to observe and exhibit very friendly social behavior with a high degree of intelligence.

In reference to the adult Jack Dempsey species, they select their mates based a process of chasing one another around the aquarium and lip locking. This is actually a test they perform to determine strength and durability in selecting a potential mate. In your aquarium, it's best to have pairs of equal size because the males tend to be larger and more aggressive and can therefore do some serious damage to a female that is much smaller.

If you have chosen to go for the fresh water option, then, going with Cichlids fish is your best choice. They offer the greatest variety of color, shapes and sizes that will impress anyone who comes to visit. So, unleash your creativity and let your fish aquarium liven up your home or office and enjoy your Cichlids for a lifetime.

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