| So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. | | | | 1 pair of Aequidens curviceps |
| In this article I shall try to give a few examples of good | | | | 1 pair of Aequidens maronii (Keyhole cichlid) |
| cichlid aquariums that are suitable for beginners. I've | | | | 6 Ancistrus (plecos) |
| tried to suggest set-ups that will be beautiful and easy | | | | Tank set-ups: |
| to maintain, and species that are easily bred so that | | | | 1. African cichlid aquarium |
| you might observe this fascinating side of cichlid | | | | All of these species are relatively friendly and have |
| behaviour. | | | | different behaviours that will reduce stress between |
| This article targets those who haven't that much | | | | the different pairs. These species prefer a well planted |
| experience with aquariums in general and cichlids in | | | | aquarium and leave your plants alone so that you can |
| particular. If you are a more experienced aquarist who | | | | use all sorts of plants. They also require hiding and |
| is just new to cichlids these set-ups will still be good, | | | | spawning places. Kribs spawn in caves which can be |
| and you have a lot of other options as well since you | | | | created using roots, rocks and flowerpots. A. Thomasi |
| are probably capable of keeping more sensitive | | | | spawns on flat surfaces such as rocks. You will have |
| species than those suggested in this article. | | | | to leave free areas without plants and rocks to create |
| Aquarium: | | | | swimming space and allow you to see your fish more |
| It is possible to keep some cichlids, such as | | | | often. Use fine sand as this promotes spawning of |
| Lamprologus ocellatus, in very small aquariums. | | | | Egyptian mouth-brooders. If you just keep the |
| However, for your first cichlid aquarium I would | | | | aquarium clean and your fish well fed they will thrive |
| recommend a larger aquarium of no less than 30 | | | | and spawn in this aquarium. If you find your aquarium a |
| gallons/120 L. There are several reasons for this: | | | | little empty you can add some small schooling fish such |
| - A larger aquarium is easier to maintain and easier to | | | | as tetras to the upper water levels. |
| keep in good condition. | | | | 2. Central American aquarium |
| - Cichlids are aggressive. Some cichlids are much | | | | The species in this set-up are more aggressive, which |
| more aggressive than others, but almost all cichlids are | | | | explains why I only recommend keeping two species in |
| aggressive and a larger aquarium makes it easier for | | | | this tank. Both species lay their eggs on rocks so |
| weaker fish to avoid this hostility. | | | | caves aren't that necessary, but I would still |
| - Cichlid behaviour is usually more interesting if you can | | | | recommended that you create a few as hiding places |
| keep more than one isolated pair in an aquarium. For | | | | as these species can be quite aggressive. This is |
| example this may allow you to see the parents | | | | especially true when they are spawning and caring for |
| guarding their young. | | | | their young. A sajica usually leaves your plants alone, |
| Water conditions: | | | | but convicts often eat plants, so I recommend using |
| Which water conditions you should have depends on | | | | more hardy plants such as sword plants, anubias and |
| which cichlids you want to keep since their | | | | Java ferns if you want to use plants. Whether to keep |
| preferences differ greatly. For your first aquarium I | | | | plants or not is completely up to the aquarist. The |
| recommend keeping species that are less sensitive to | | | | cichlids will thrive with or without plants as long as you |
| water conditions, and if you choose to try the species I | | | | provide a few hiding places. Both species are very |
| recommend in this article you normally won't have to | | | | easy to breed and it is almost impossible to keep |
| think about water conditions. I don't recommend | | | | convicts from spawning. It can be very hard to find |
| keeping cichlids from the great African lakes as your | | | | new homes for the fry, so I recommend letting the |
| first cichlids if you are an inexperienced aquarist, since | | | | parents keep their young and see if any survive. In this |
| they have more specialised demands. | | | | aquarium some usually will. |
| Feeding: | | | | 3. Amazon aquarium |
| The cichlids I recommend accept all kind of food, | | | | As I said earlier, it is preferable for this aquarium to be |
| however I would recommend giving them a diverse | | | | at least 50 gallons since these fish get a little bigger. |
| diet consisting of pellets/flakes, frozen food and | | | | Angelfish shouldn't be kept in aquariums that are less |
| occasional live food. | | | | than 50 cm/ 20 inches high. These species are still |
| Species: | | | | easy to care for but require a little more from their |
| Now to the fun part: choosing fish species to your | | | | keeper to spawn. The aquarium should be well planted |
| new aquarium. I will give three examples of possible | | | | with free areas for the fish to swim in. Use large |
| aquariums. The first one has its origin in African rivers | | | | sword plants or cryptocoryne species to give the |
| and is more friendly, while the second one features | | | | angels what they need to spawn. The other species |
| cichlids from Central America. I will also give a | | | | requires roots or rocks to spawn on. Caves are not |
| suggestion for a composition that has its origins in the | | | | necessary but preferable, especially for A. curviceps. If |
| Amazon. However this composition is a little bit harder | | | | you find this aquarium a little empty you might add |
| to get to breed and requires a larger aquarium. I would | | | | some free-swimming schooling fish to the aquarium. |
| recommend at least 50 gallon/ 200 L. | | | | Never use neon tetras with angelfish, as angelfish like |
| 1. African cichlid aquarium (30 gallons) | | | | to eat them. The same is true for a number of other |
| 1 pair of kribs (Pelvicachromis pulcher) | | | | small tetras. If you keep the water clean and the fish |
| 1 pair of African butterfly cichlids (Anomalochromis | | | | well fed they will thrive and with a little bit of luck, |
| thomasi) | | | | spawn. |
| 1 pair of Egyptian mouth-brooders (Pseudocrenilabrus | | | | Final words |
| multicolor) | | | | I have given just a few suggestions for possible cichlid |
| 4 Ancistrus (plecos) | | | | aquariums (there are a lot more) and when you get a |
| 2. Central American aquarium (30 gallons): | | | | little more experience with cichlids the possibilities are |
| 1 pair of Archocentrus sajica (T-Bar cichlid) | | | | countless. Cichlids are very interesting and often |
| 1 pair of convicts (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) | | | | beautiful fishes and many of them are quite simple to |
| 2 Hypostomus (plecos) | | | | keep. These are only a few of the reasons behind |
| 3. Amazon aquarium (50 gallons): | | | | their popularity. Try them, you won't regret it! |
| 4 angelfish ( Pterophyllum scalare) | | | | |