Can you mix cichlids?

Can cichlids be kept in the same tank?

A good general rule is this: if the fish would not normally encounter each other in the wild, don’t mix them in a tank. Stocking cichlids is an expensive and difficult process, especially when dealing with Africans.

How many South American cichlids can you keep in a 55 gallon tank?

South American cichlids usually do well together in a community tank. The general ‘rule of thumb’ is one inch of fish per gallon of water. Therefore, if you have a 55-gallon tank, you should be able to keep four fish – two pairs of South American cichlids of the same species or one male and three females from different species.

Can alkalinity of aquarium water kill fish?

So, if you have fish thriving at a pH of 7, but the pH of your aquarium water is 8, then the alkalinity of your water is 10 times than required You should see here that even a slight change in the required pH for your fish can result in stress. It can even kill your fish.

What is alkaline water for African cichlids?

It refers to water being acidic, basic (alkaline) or neutral. With a measurement of 7 being neutral, less than 7 is acidic and greater than 7 is alkaline. While common tropical fish are happiest right around neutral, African cichlids prefer the following alkaline ranges:

Can you put cichlids in a small aquarium?

While juveniles do fine in smaller tanks, have a larger aquarium cycled and ready to go for when it’s time to move these cichlids over. 6. Bolivian Ram ( Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)

What is the best coral for a cichlid tank?

The best choices include crushed coral, limestone, petrified coral, and certain shells. These are common in African Cichlid tanks which are known to have a higher pH than most. Check the pH regularly after you add them, your pH could easily go higher than intended.

What is the best filter material for African cichlid tanks?

The best choices include crushed coral, limestone, petrified coral, and certain shells. These are common in African Cichlid tanks which are known to have a higher pH than most. Check the pH regularly after you add them, your pH could easily go higher than intended. If you want to hide these materials, you could incorporate them into your filter.

Can too low alkalinity kill fish?

Yes, too low or too high alkalinity or pH can kill your fish in your tank. Your fish will begin by getting sick and eventually die if you don’t monitor and treat your alkalinity and pH levels accordingly. Also, too high of alkalinity can result in the skin of fish being burnt.

How many South American cichlids should I keep?

South American cichlids are schooling fish, so it’s best to keep at least six of them in order to create a natural and comfortable environment. Female Green Terror Cichlid (Vs.

What happens when alkalinity is depleted in an aquarium?

Over time the alkalinity can be “consumed,” and if alkalinity is depleted, the pH of the water in an aquarium can plummet, causing extreme stress or death to the fish and adversely affecting biofilter function.

Can alkaline water kill fish?

Every species of fish has adapted to a specific set of water conditions, including pH. Keeping a fish in the wrong pH can stress and kill it. Keeping a fish in dangerously alkaline water can have a number of serious health effects on it.

What happens if you raise the alkalinity in an aquarium?

Additionally, sudden changes in alkalinity can cause fish to lose control over their swim bladders, making it hard for them to swim correctly. Lastly, raising the alkalinity of aquarium water transforms ammonia — found in fish waste — into a more toxic form that can poison fish.

Can you breed fish from acidic or alkaline water?

However, it’s worth noting most fish from acidic or alkaline waters will not breed unless they are in waters matching their native parameters. To lower pH, like with all other parameters, your best bet is to start with reverse osmosis water.

How does high pH kill fish?

Extreme pH can kill adult fish and invertebrate life directly and can also damage developing juvenile fish. It will strip a fish of its slime coat and high pH level ‘chaps’ the skin of fish because of its alkalinity.

What is alkalinity and why is it important in aquariums?

Alkalinity also helps neutralize the tendency of aquarium water to become acidic. The nitrogen cycle in an aquarium, a natural and necessary process, adds hydrogen ions to the water. The hydrogen ions will slowly cause the pH to drop which can be harmful to the inhabitants and even to the nitrifying bacteria.

How does alkalinity affect the nitrogen cycle in an aquarium?

The nitrogen cycle in an aquarium, a natural and necessary process, adds hydrogen ions to the water. The hydrogen ions will slowly cause the pH to drop which can be harmful to the inhabitants and even to the nitrifying bacteria. Alkalinity neutralizes the hydrogen ion produced by the nitrogen cycle slowing the downward pH trend.

What is the pH of aquarium water for fish?

The general pH of a freshwater aquarium will typically sit at 6.5 to 8.0 depending on the tap water used, while in a marine aquarium, the pH will be 7.9 to 8.5. The pH level in a fish’s native environment results from natural minerals and other factors. If your aquarium’s pH is very different from what the fish are used, it can harm your fish.

What happens if your aquarium is acidic?

An acidic aquarium can result in the production of excess mucous by your fish. This is due to an increase of toxic elements promoted by acidic aquarium water. Other observable symptom include fish gasping, hyperplasia (thickening of skin and gills), and eye damage. As with high alkaline, fish death can occur. How do I adjust the pH in my Aquarium?

How to make a fish tank less acidic?

You can make a fish tank less acidic by using some chemicals like baking soda, applying some useful techniques, and maintaining and cleaning your aquarium often. Low pH is not suitable for many fish species, and it can harm them in many ways. You should maintain the pH of the aquarium between 5.5 to 8.5.

How to lower alkalinity in a fish tank?

Many people are probably curious as to how to lower and or fix the alkalinity in a fish tank. Start by diluting the aquarium. You can do this by using low-mineral purified water. This is the process of Reverse-Osmosis.

What is alkalinity in aquariums and why is it important?

The pH, alkalinity, and relative hardness of the water are all interrelated. Proper pH levels allow the chemical reactions taking place in the water to proceed as they should. If your freshwater aquarium alkalinity is too high or too low, it impairs these processes.

What does alkalinity mean in fish?

Each species of fish has a preferred range of alkalinity, which is measured in pH (Potential of Hydrogen). pH shows the level of acidity in the water. Higher pH levels mean less acidic water (or more basic water) and lower pH levels mean more acidic water (or less basic water).

What happens if you change the pH in a fish tank?

When increasing or decreasing the pH of the aquarium water, be sure to do so slowly, not changing more than 0.3 pH in a 24 hour period. Rapid changes in water chemistry are far more dangerous to your fish than high or low pH, and can cause a lot of stress to the fish, or even death!

Do African cichlids prefer acidic or basic water?

It is generally understood that a somewhat acid condition in the water of the aquarium is rather desirable for most fish species. However, some fish, such as African cichlids, may prefer a basic (higher pH) water.

Can freshwater fish live in alkaline water?

Freshwater fish live and thrive in a pH ranges from 5.5 to 7.5 because it matches their natural habitat. They like to live in slightly acidic water and can not live in alkaline water. The pH of a saltwater aquarium should range between 7.5 to 8.5 as these fish prefer alkaline water.