Are African cichlids more aggressive than American cichlids?

Can fish be aggressive to other fish?

Unlike humans, fish usually have complex social behavior. Aggression is one of them. A fish can be aggressive towards other fish because of breeding, be the alpha, and find more food than others. For example, African cichlids become aggressive to secure their territory.

How big do black belt cichlids get?

The blackbelt cichlid might not know karate, but they do sport a black band around their middle. They also will put a fish in its place, being moderately aggressive themselves. These hardy fish get up to 12 inches as adults and need a tank that is 70-gallons or more. 30. Firemouth Cichlid

How to treat African cichlids with diseases?

We are going to go through the causes, symptoms and how to treat each of them. We can recommend two commonly used medications for African cichlids right away, one of them being Octozin and the other Superfix. While Octozin is widely used for internal diseases, you should give your fish Superfix when external diseases occur.

What are the white spots on the gills of fish?

It is a protozoan parasite that attacks the body, fins and gills of the cichlid. If don’t cure it in time, those white spots can spread on its whole body.

What is the white spot on my African cichlid?

The White spot or Ich is a parasitic disease. If you suddenly see white spots appear on the body of your African cichlid, then it is most likely an Ich. This is an abbreviation that comes from the name of the parasite, which is Ichtyophthirius multifiliis. It is a protozoan parasite that attacks the body, fins and gills of the cichlid.

What is the recommended water hardness for cichlids?

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 12 – 20°N (214.29 – 357.14ppm) Recommended temperature: 23 – 27 °C (73.4 – 80.6°F) The Black Belt Cichlid can be found throughout most areas of Central America, particularly along the western waterways.

Is this black Ich on my cichlid?

Whatever the spots on your fish may be, it is not Black Ich. Yes that is exactly what it looks like with a larger spot on one fin I believe you. There isn’t a lot of information to be found on black ich with african cichlids. The photos below show what it looks like. Do you have any idea what it might be?

Is a black belt cichlid a community fish?

and can be aggressive and are not considered a community fish, the Black Belt Cichlid has a somewhat more docile manner than many of its relatives. It can be kept with others of its own species, a group of 6 if they are raised together in a very large tank.

How much space does a black belt cichlid need?

As with most large cichlids, the Black Belt Cichlid needs a great deal of space. If keeping just one or two of these fish, an aquarium of at least 70 gallons is recommended. If keeping a small group of Black Belt Cichlids an aquarium of at least 120 gallons is recommended.

What do black belt cichlids eat?

Only keep the Black Belt Cichlid with species of a similar size, smaller fish will be seen as a food source. These are not the most difficult fish to keep but inexperienced keepers may struggle with the aggression so be aware of this before purchasing. Feed them brine shrimp, worms, mosquito larvae, vegetables, granules once or twice a day.

What is the scientific name of black belt cichlid?

Black belt cichlid – Vieja maculicauda. Scientific name: Vieja maculicauda. Common name: Black belt cichlid. Family: Cichlidae. Usual size in fish tanks: 20 – 30 cm (7.87 – 11.81 inch) 014. Recommended pH range for the species: 7 – 8. Recommended water hardness (dGH): 12 – 20°N (214.29 – 357.14ppm)

Why do my cichlids have black spots on their skin?

Something for you to research as I really DON’T know cichlids at all, BUT I did read that those black spots can be caused by too much Spirulina in their diet. I actually read that in several places. It also said it wasn’t harmful to them.

What is this black Ich?

Black Ich is a parasite of marine fish only. It’s a salt water planarian flat worm. Whatever the spots on your fish may be, it is not Black Ich. Yes that is exactly what it looks like with a larger spot on one fin I believe you. There isn’t a lot of information to be found on black ich with african cichlids.

What size aquarium for black belt cichlids?

If keeping a small group of Black Belt Cichlids an aquarium of at least 120 gallons is recommended. These fish can be kept in freshwater or brackish water with low to moderate salinity of less than 1.010 sg.

Are black belt cichlids aggressive?

These fish are moderately aggressive and are not considered a community fish. However, a Black Belt Cichlid can be more docile or aggressive depending on the size of the tank you provide them with. If you provide a very large tank, 120 gallons or more, they can be kept with larger fish that have a similar or the same temperament.

Why do my fish have spots on their skin?

It could also just be peppering which is caused by all sorts of things such as bad breeding, poor water quality, incorrect parameters, dietary issues or stress. If the fish are acting perfectly normal with no signs of distress, I wouldn’t worry about the spots.

Why do captive fish get Ich?

Captive fish that develop ich usually get the disease when their immune systems are not functioning as well as they should be because of stress. We know that stress lowers the immune response and when fish are stressed that is when ich is most prevalent.

What is a blackbelt cichlid?

The Blackbelt Cichlid gets its name from two things: firstly the vertical black stripe around its flank, and secondly its toughness. Vieja maculicauda is a tough, aggressive fish and should be respected as such. Maculicauda is a relatively easy fish to keep.

When does a black belt cichlid become sexually mature?

The Black belt Cichlid becomes sexually mature at around 15 centimetres in size, or at least 6 months old. Modify water parameters to be pretty much in the middle of all the aforementioned water parameters – 26 degrees celsius, pH 7 etc.

How many eggs does a black belt cichlid lay?

The Black belt Cichlid becomes sexually mature at around 15 centimetres in size, or at least 6 months old. Modify water parameters to be pretty much in the middle of all the aforementioned water parameters – 26 degrees celsius, pH 7 etc. 500 to 600 eggs will be laid on a flat piece of rock or stone.

How do I care for a blackbelt cichlid?

Blackbelts like a sandy or fine gravel substrate. Simulate their natural habitat by providing lots of cover in the form of bits of wood (mopani, driftwood, bogwood ). Blackbelt Cichlids thrive in lower lighting conditions so it may be beneficial to use floating plants to help dim the light. To search for high quality aquarium heaters, click here.

How big do Midas cichlids get?

Size of fish – inches: 14.0 inches (35.56 cm) – The Midas Cichlid grows to a length of 10 – 14″ (25 – 35 cm).

Why does my Goldfish have spots on its skin?

Your goldfish could also produce lots of melanin due to trying to adapt to the color of its environment. This can most likely happen if its aquarium is covered in black spots and the inherent protective instinct of a fish is to adapt to color change to be protected from predators.

Why do fish have white spots on their skin?

When a fish is infected with ich, the parasitic trophont becomes encapsulated in the epithelium or upper layer of the skin. This is what causes the slightly raised white spots on your infected fish.

How do you identify Ich?

It’s safe to use and inexpensive. How Do You Identify Ich? A person can check if fish are infected by scraping a white spot sample and placing it under a microscope with a few drops of water. A mature parasite is dark, moves by tumbling, and has a large horseshoe-shaped nucleus.

How do I care for my black belt cichlid?

The Black Belt Cichlid requires very clean water and is sensitive to pH changes. To aid in accomplishing this, use highly efficient filtration systems that can provide moderate water movement. Canister or sump style filtration works best. A secure top should be installed with moderate lighting.

Can you keep cichlids in a 120 gallon tank?

These cichlids can also be kept with other Central and South American cichlids of a similar temperament as long as there is plenty of room. Aquariums 120 gallons or more can work well with these groupings while a single fish will require a recommended minimum of 70+ gallons.