Different Cichlid Types You Should Know

There is no question that cichlids are fast becoming one of the most popular pet fishes. This is just understandable given the lovable characteristics of cichlids. If you want to follow the trend, you better acquaint yourself to the different cichlids types. The ones below can be considered as the most popular types of cichlids. Check to see if one of them is the one that you would like to have on your own.
• Discus fish
The Discus fish is a common choice because they are very sociable. You see, most cichlid breeds are aggressive and dominant so they are usually hard to incorporate with other fishes. Although discus fishes live in large groups, they are really very fond of schooling. The best tip when taking care of discus fish is to ensure that you get at least three of them. Their fish personality dictates that they be part of a group. Having two or only one cichlid in an aquarium would only make the discus fish sad and lonely.

• Angelfish Cichlid
You probably know it as angelfish but this type is very much a part of the cichlid breed. What you should understand is that Angelfish Cichlid is the more obvious choice for people who want fish pets that are relaxed. They are not too aggressive that most people fall in love with their natural grace. Angelfish Cichlids are also very elegant.

• Convict Cichlid
These types of cichlids are the most appealing to beginning cichlid owners. You see, Convict Cichlids are very much easy to keep. They also require low maintenance duties. The only downside is that you need to put on effort in decorating its new home. As much as possible, your tank must be very similar to its natural habitat-rocky with caves and substrate. Convict cichlids often burrow themselves so make sure you give them enough space to play around.

• Dwarf Cichlid
The Dwarf Cichlid is probably one of the most challenging to keep. However, most breeders prefer them over other cichlid types because they are less aggressive than some of its relatives like the Bolivian cichlids. They are also easy to mix with other fishes as long as they are compatible with each other. Although quite active, dwarf cichlids are very popular among breeders and cichlids enthusiasts.

• Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey is obviously named after the well-known boxer. They are loved because of their colors. They usually have greenish pecks in their tan bodies while they are young. They turn to purple gray when they get more mature. Their green specks usually turn to gold during these times.

• Oscar Fish
The Oscar fish is one of the toughest varieties. Their best feature is that they can stand almost any kind of water types. They also grow beyond 18 inches. They also have wide food choices including live food, flakes and pellets. It is easy to know if you aren't feeding Oscar fishes enough. Their colors wouldn't be that bright if they are unhealthy. So, it's the sign to watch out for.

Knowing these cichlid types can really help you jumpstart your hobby as a cichlid collector.

Is your cichlid always sick and unhappy? Are you looking for resources to help care, keep and breed healthy and beautiful cichlids? Larry Pearson is an Expert Author and an authority on caring and breeding cichlid fish.

Dwarf Cichlid, the Real Key to Caring For and Feeding It

The term 'Dwarf Cichlid' is actually misleading, since there really is not a strict definition of what a dwarf cichlid actually is. Rather there are a number of different fish that are commonly considered dwarfs, such as the species Apistogramma. These fish are found widely in South America and West Africa and due to being found in a rainbow of colors and having great personalities are favorites for aquarium fish.

The most important thing to keeping Dwarf Cichlids is to make sure you have the correct water!

Remember in the wild these fish live in a constant flow of clean fresh water and so it is important to change 20% of the water every 2 to 3 weeks, although many will say it is even better to change up to 50% at least once a week. The water pH should be checked to make sure it is soft acidic at best to at least neutral or slightly acidic. The best temperatures range from 74°F to 78°F, and usually they do not receive direct sunlight, since in the wild they commonly live in shady water and sunlight is filtered by the water anyway.

Dwarf Cichlids prefer live food and are often much more healthier than if fed a pure dry, such as pellets or flakes. Some of the best Cichlid food includes Black Worms, White Worms, Brine Shrimp and Micro Worms. Frozen foods are also pretty good for the fish and can be put in the tank even when frozen since the fish will nibble on it when it starts to thaw.

Black worms are probably the best frozen food whereas shrimp are not as good since once they thaw they tend to crush easily allowing nutrients to get lost in the water leaving not much else than shell. Always check frozen foods before buying them as sometimes they have have thawed during shipping and then refrozen again before being sold in stores.

Dwarf Cichlids are highly adaptable fish but it is a good practice to try and duplicate to some degree their natural habitats in the Cichlid aquarium. The more complex the environment the better, meaning there should be lots of nooks and crannies to hide.

Although a bare aquarium floor can be used it is better to use gravel or a layer of sand. Just make sure if using sand that it is not too thick since areas of anaerobic bacteria can form.

Piles of rocks, broken flower pots or coconut shells can be used to liven up the tank and the cichlids love all the places to explore and hide in.

Other good things are leaves such as Oak leaves on the tank floor since the fish use these leaves to hide in and for breeding. Just make sure that when using leaves that they have dried naturally and that the trees themselves have not been sprayed with chemicals.

There are many aquarium plants that you can use and these are vital for happy healthy fish.

Rooted, floating and loose plants can all be used. The main thing is to make sure that the plants do well themselves in the water climate that the fish use. Some good plants to look at would be Water Sprites, Java Moss, Java Fern and Pygmy Chain Sword. Trial and error is often the best approach to caring for the plants you are placing in the tanks.

Baby Dwarf Cichlids are able to eat micro worms or newly hatched brine shrimp after about 10 days but a notable exception is the Blue Ram as they are very small and should be fed smaller foods such as Vinegar eels. If the aquarium has a good amount of plants then this should give the babies food as well from micro-organisms on the plants.

Cichlid Breeding

Cichlid breeding has become one of the most popular hobbies today. There are at least 1300 scientifically described species. These fish range from species as small as 1 in. in length to 3 feet. As a group, they exhibit a similarly wide diversity of body shapes, from long to short and flat to round. Many, particularly the Tilapias, are important food fishes. In fact the Tilapia is the most consumed fish in the USA.

These have become increasingly popular as aquarium fish, and are ideally suited as aquarium fish because many are small to medium-sized, easy to feed with a range of prepared fish foods, breed readily, and practice brood care, in captivity. Part of their popularity arises from the fact that they are so diverse in their shapes and colors.With a bit of shopping around one can have a beautiful variety of shapes and colors which make for a beautiful aquarium. Of the many species, the Angelfish, Oscars, and Discus, are likely the most valued aquarium fish. There are special sites including forums that cater specifically to care and breeding of each species.

These fish are also quite diverse in terms of their diet. Many feed primarily on algae and plants while others are primarily predatory and carnivorous and prey on other smaller fish. With the latter species it is important to choose their aquarium mates carefully.

Cichlid breeding is fascinating because of the parental behavior of adult fish. All species show some parental care for both eggs and larvae, often extended to free-swimming young until they are several weeks or months old. Species of this family have highly organized breeding activities. Some specie do mouth brooding which provides an interesting aquarium show with the adult fish protecting the young inside her mouth.

Most are easy keepers, however some do require special conditions. There are several sources for information about the care and breeding of this diverse aquarium fish.