What fish can live with dwarf cichlids?

Are cory catfish good with each other?

Their water requirements are a good match, and they should not get into each other’s way, even when being at the bottom of the tank. There are several cory catfish species types available nowadays, but they all share the same requirements and temperaments.

Can I put South American cichlids in African water?

I reckon it’s not a good idea, South American cichlids live in water that has different parameters to the Africans. Africans like hard water with a high pH and Sth Americans are generally soft water with low pH.

Where do African cichlids live in the wild?

Lake Malawi is a hotspot for African Cichlids, and the Acei variant lives in its northwestern frontier. It’s easily recognizable, thanks to its slender body, blue coat, and yellow fins. Now, it’s essential to keep them in a large aquarium as they need lots of room to swim around.

Can dwarf cichlids live with other fish?

Dwarf cichlids (Pelvicachromis pulcher) are probably the best choice you can make as they can easily live together due to lack of aggression and their size. As smaller fish, they’re not posing any threat to other dwarfs or other cichlids and fishes.

Can you put cichlids with other fish?

You can put certain different fish species with cichlids, and they’re capable of living together without any problems. These fish species include semi-aggressive Clown Loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus), some tetra species, and Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras paleatus).

What is the African cichlid diet?

You still get a tank of colorful and exciting fish, but you never have to worry about walking in on a horror scene. Variation in the African cichlid diet is key. Depending on the kind you own, they might be mainly insectivores, herbivores, or omnivores. It is good to include a little of everything including a solid base of fish food.

What is the best water temp for African cichlids?

The ideal water temp for African cichlids is a fairly flexible range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This should be plenty to allow you to make them comfortable and also accommodate their tank mates. African Cichlid Tank Mates Due to the aggressive nature of these fish, there are specific types of tankmates that should be avoided.

How do I take care of my African cichlids?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for choosing and setting up the filter. Check the temperature your African cichlids will need before you bring them home. Tropical fish need warm water that’s between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (23-28 Celsius). Choose an aquarium heater with 5 watts of power for each gallon of water in the aquarium.

What is the ideal pH for Malawi cichlids?

We can tell you right away that the ideal pH for Malawi cichlids is between 7.5 and 8. For species that live in Lake Victoria and Tanganyika, however, it is 8.5-9.5 pH. While a 7.0 pH is neutral, a pH below that is more acidic while it is alkaline above it.

How hard is African cichlid water?

Cichlids are sensitive to pH changes. Therefore, avoid changes in pH greater than .3 units per day. Proper African Cichlid water parameters will make them appear vibrant in aquariums with a general hardness ranging from 160 – 320 ppm (parts per million) or 9° – 18° DH .

Why is water pH important for African cichlids?

Water pH is very important not only for African cichlids but for any fish species out there. You need to know the ideal pH range for your own fish and adjust the water conditions accordingly. Otherwise, the aquarium water can become toxic for them and they are going to be sick.

Is it OK to keep cichlids in pure water?

And again, the point is not to keep your pet fish in perfectly pure water. For example, RO/DI water is very pure indeed but it does not contain the minerals that African cichlids thrive on. If you want to use that type of water anyway, then make sure to get those minerals and mix them together in the water.

What kind of cichlids do you breed?

We have experienced aquarium fish breeders with the main focus on African Cichlids, particularly Lake Malawi Cichlids. While this is the bread and butter of our business we have expanded to the breeding of all types of Cichlids including Victorian and Tanganyikan Cichlids.

Where do Malawi cichlids live?

These cichlids are distributed in the Lake Malawi watershed in East Africa (Malawi, Namiwawa). They are found at depths of 10-30 feet (3-9 m). Their natural habitat is on rocky bottoms or sand bottoms in various types of lakes or swamps where they eat mainly insects for food.

What is the best water temperature for fish in Malawi?

Water chemistry. Water temperature should be 23-28 o C (73-82 o F), so a middle value of 25-26 o C (77-79 o F) is probably ideal. At the lower end of this scale, the fish may be less aggressive, but also less active and less inclined to breed. The general hardness in Lake Malawi is not as high as many might think – around 7 degrees GH.

How does pH affect freshwater fish?

Most freshwater fish are highly adaptable to a wide range of pH values if changes in pH are made slowly. Rapid changes in pH are detrimental to fish, and it is very important that aquariums have a stable pH. The stability of the pH is related to water Alkalinity and Hardness.

What temperature do Malawi cichlids need to live in?

Malawi Cichlids can be kept at a temperature of 24-26°C (75-79°F), although some other cichlids may prefer slightly warmer Or cooler environments, so always check on the requirements of fish before you buy. Water quality is not just about chemicals and pollutants.

Do cichlids need salt?

Cichlids are freshwater fish, so some newcomers to the world of African cichlids may be surprised to learn that many cichlid owners do utilize salts in the water of their cichlids.

Why are freshwater fish so salty?

Your freshwater fish are naturally more salty than the water that they live in, and their skin is semi-permeable. This means that by the process of osmoregulation, fish constantly discharge body salts into their tank water, and take tank water into their bodies.

What is the best water temperature for marine life?

Others feel that some corals and fishes, having come from warm tropical waters, do much better at temperatures of about 80-85 degrees, or higher. Some invertebrates will even do better at cooler water temperature.

Why is temperature so important for fish?

Fish and other marine creatures have a difficult time processing oxygen and functioning overall at temperatures that are not ideal – this will lead to sick animals or worse dead ones. This is why temperature is so important to understand in order to have a successful aquarium.

What is the best water temperature for Malawi cichlids?

In their natural habitat water temperatures are 24-26°C. Do your best to achieve these temperatures at all times. Lake Malawi Cichlids don’t tolerate high temperatures so well, so be careful not to place the aquarium in a place where it is exposed to the sun, which will raise the temperature.

How important is water temperature in the ocean?

In some cases, the water temperature can plummet ten degrees or more overnight due to the passage of a cold front. Even if it’s calm and sunny the next day, the ocean may seem like a biological desert. That’s how important water temperature can be.

Can African cichlids live with utaka?

African Cichlid Tank Mates. You can keep an Auloncara with Utaka and Mbuna cichlids from in the same aquarium. However, It is not advised to keep cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika together because they thrive best in different water environments.