How long do pearl cichlids live?

Where do Pearl cichlids live in South America?

South America; Pearl cichlids are to be found in the waterways of Brazil and Uruguay. There are no visible differences between the sexes. When mature, females may be slightly smaller. Provide spawning sites by adding upturned plant pots or artificial caves to the breeding tank.

What is the recommended pH range for Pearl cichlids?

Recommended pH range for the species: 6.6 – 7.3 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 5 – 19°N (89.29 – 339.29ppm) Use a quality flake or cichlid pellets for the staple diet. It is important to vary their foods with the addition of live or frozen foods as treats. Pearl cichlids will consume blood worms, chopped earthworms and brine shrimp.

What are the different types of South American cichlids?

7 Types of South American Cichlids for Your Aquarium! 1 Convicts. Convict Cichlids, or Zebra Cichlids, are a great way for beginners to get in on the fun of keeping cichlids. 2 Blue Acara. Acara are one of the most attractive South American cichlids. … 3 Severum. … 4 Cockatoo Cichlid. … 5 Green Terror. … 6 Jack Dempsey. … 7 Oscar.

What is the best pH for cichlids?

African cichlids from Lake Malawi like pH from 7.7 to 8.6, whereas African cichlids from Lake Tanganyika prefer pH from 7.3 to 8.0. South American cichlids, on the other hand, do best in pH 6.5 to 7.2 Other fish like the Discus are very sensitive to elevated pH levels in aquariums. These types of fish need soft acidic water 5.0 to 6.5 pH.

What is the best pH for freshwater fish?

The majority of Freshwater fish are healthy and thrive at a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. The main exception to the freshwater range is African cichlids. These fish like harder water (water that is high in mineral content) with high pH.

What are the recommended water parameters for African cichlids?

African Cichlid water parameters should be kept at the following alkaline ranges: Cichlids are sensitive to pH changes. Therefore, avoid changes in pH greater than .3 units per day.

What types of cichlids are there in South America?

Another popular group of South American cichlids is the Pike cichlid group – these fish are highly active and ruthless predators which makes them very interesting to keep. Oscars are another group of popular cichlids that can be found in South America, particularly in the Amazon region.

Are South American cichlids good for a show tank?

South American Cichlids and Central American Cichlids are attractive, personable, and are generally quite durable fish. They come in a range of sizes and with some very beautiful colorations, making them favorite aquarium fish for many hobbyists. Many also reach an impressive size and are great for a large show tank.

Where do cichlids come from?

But most seen in the hobby have a mix of fascinating of characteristics and are a delight to keep. Cichlids are found in Africa, Central and South America, and a few species from parts of Asia. Central and South America comprises a huge geographic area with greatly diverse habitats ranging from savannas to rain forests.

What is the best pH level for fish?

If one type of fish requires a pH of 8 and another requires a pH of 6, one of them will be greatly stressed. Thus, it is very important that your fish is matched to the pH level of your water. This makes it also important to closely monitor your water’s pH level. How do you keep a stable pH? pH changes over time, even in the course of a single day.

What is the best pH for fish tank?

Don’t spring into action simply because the textbook says the optimum pH for your fish is 6.4. and your water tests out at 6.0. As long as the pH is stable, and the fish show no signs of distress, it’s best to leave the pH at its natural level.

What is the best pH for freshwater shrimp?

Use this guide and a pH tester to find the best pH for freshwater fish of all kinds! The pH for freshwater shrimp is not listed on here but is recommended to be slightly acidic in the range of 6.3 – 7.2.

What is the pH of freshwater fishing?

The pH of most inland fresh waters containing fish ranges from about 6 to 9 (Ellis 1937), with most waters, particularly those with healthy, diverse, and productive fish and macroinvertebrates communities having a pH between approximately 6.5 and 8.5 units (Ellis 1937; McKee and Wolf 1963; NTAC1968; NAS 1972).

Can you use fluorescent lights for African cichlids?

Fluorescent lights can be used because they do not give out heat, which helps to control the temperature. The water conditions for African cichlids include: African cichlids thrive in temperatures between 75 to 85 °F. Higher temperatures will boost their metabolism and make them more aggressive and competitive for food.

How do you test the pH of an African cichlid?

Additives/supplements (used after a water change or when pH drops) include: Water testing with Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit (tests for pH, high-range pH, ammonia, nitrite, and hardness). African Cichlids prefer higher pH, dH and temperatures than other freshwater fish.

What are the characteristics of African cichlids?

African Cichlids prefer higher pH, dH and temperatures than other freshwater fish. Parameters of the African Cichlid aquarium should include:

What are the best conditions for South American cichlids?

In particular, those which are heavily associated with the aquarium trade, like Oscar and Convicts, are fine in the majority of water conditions. However, as messy eaters, they tend to drive nitrate levels high in even a cycled tank. For the most part, a South American cichlid tank should be kept around the following parameters: pH: 5.5-7.5

What is the best tank size for South American cichlids?

A true community tank for South American cichlids will likely be 80+ gallons. One final thing: most people recommend fish like Rams and other dwarf cichlids for beginners.

Where do African cichlids come from?

The majority of varieties are african cichlids varieties that come from the rift valley lakes in Africa, especially Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Victoria. South American species are also quite popular. They require a relatively big tank, especially when keeping multiple specimens together.

Where do Lake Victoria cichlids come from?

Lake Victoria cichlids come from Lake Victoria, located in central Africa, the largest lake in Africa.Representative breeds are Kenya Gold Cichlids, Christmas Fulu, etc. How Much Do African Cichlids Cost?

Where do mbuna cichlids come from?

The mbuna (pronounced um-boo-nah) cichlids, also known as Mbuna African Cichlids, come from Lake Malawi. Lake Malawi is an African Great Lake located in Tanzania, and is the ninth largest lake in the world. Mbuna live in massive groups, and love rocky places to hide.

What is the pH of seawater?

Seawater is basic, and tends to be around a pH of 8. Fish are have adapted to live in the pH level of their native habitat, and putting a fish in water that it has not adapted to can cause stress, sickness and possibly death.

How important is pH level in a fish tank?

Regular testing of your tank for pH levels is the key to creating a happy home for your pet fish. The actual number or value of the pH level is not as important as the consistency of the number.