Basics About
south american cichlids
It is estimated that there are about 450
different species
of cichlids in South America, but only just over 300 of those species have been described. South American cichlids have adapted to a wide range of different habitats and ecological niches.
What is a South American cichlid?
South American cichlids are a mixed bag of fish who are intelligent, easy to breed, and make great parents Several of these species are among the most
peaceful cichlids
and work well in community tanks; others require more space and are far too aggressive to be kept with others long term.
What South American cichlids can live together?
Dwarf Cichlid Dwarf Cichlids can easily live with South American cichlids such as Discus and Angelfish.
What is the largest South American cichlid?
The largest of the South American cichlids that are occasionally available are the Wolf Cichlid and the Peacock Cichlid These are fish that can reach a length of 24″ (60 cm) or more. They will require at specialized aquarium, one that is at least 250 gallons, with larger being better, and are best kept singly.
Are jewel cichlids South American?
Jewel cichlids are native to Africa Within West Africa, Hemichromis species are found in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes with a variety of water qualities including brackish water lagoons.
Are Severums South American cichlids?
Severums are an excellent beginner South American Cichlid due to their ease of care, manageable temperament, and low cost. Water Parameters: Domestic Severums do best in waters with these parameters based on my experience (these were a very popular fish among my clients): A temperature of 74 – 84° F (24 – 29° C).
How do you tell the difference between a South American and
african cichlid
?
The key difference between African and South American Cichlids is that the African cichlids live in freshwaters originating from three great lakes of Africa while South American cichlids live in the freshwaters of South and Central America including the Arizona river.
Are angel fish South American cichlids?
About Angelfish Freshwater angelfish, or Pterophyllum scalare, are a species of cichlid native to South America These fish can generally be found throughout Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru and Brazil in various river systems including the Rio Oyapock, the Rio Essequibo and the Amazon itself.
Can cichlids live with
rainbow sharks
?
Rainbow sharks like their water between 72 and 82 degrees F. Cichlids like it a bit warmer, between 75 and 85 Fahrenheit, so a 75-to-80-degree range is ideal. Both cichlids and rainbow sharks like hard water, so in this aspect they are good tank mates.
Should you keep cichlids in pairs?
When provided with clean water and food, in theory most cichlids are able to survive alone. However it is best to keep at least a breeding pair or more to allow them to thrive The only cichlid that is often kept alone is the Oscar. While possible to keep alone, I would recommend to not keep cichlids solitary.
What is the rarest cichlid?
Once quite common in the aquarium trade, the cichlid “Cichlasoma” beani is now one of the rarest, most desirable, and hardest-to-obtain cichlids on the casual cichlidophile’s wish list. It is known as the Sonoran cichlid and the green guapote, and by the Spanish forms mojarra de Sinaloa and mojarra verde.
What is the meanest cichlid?
The wolf cichlid is the meanest cichlid. Known as blood-thirsty beasts in the fishkeeping community, they are very vicious and territorial. Wolf cichlids won’t hesitate to attack any fish that dare enter their territory.
Is an Oscar a South American cichlid?
The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of common names, including tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, and marble cichlid. In tropical South America, where the species naturally resides, A.
Is Electric Blue Jack Dempsey aggressive?
Due to their nature as an aggressive, freshwater fish species, the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey (full-grown) (Rocio Octofasciata) can easily live alone. In fact, this species of Cichlids is one of the most aggressive fish you can find in an aquarium or a tank.
What is the most peaceful cichlid?
Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) – A very peaceful species, the keyhole cichlid grows only 4 to 5 inches in length. These fish are very shy and need to have plenty of hiding places in the tank. They are very nonaggressive with other tankmates and will always back down from a fight.
Are convict cichlids South American?
The Convict Cichlid, or Zebra Cichlid, is one of the many South American Cichlids that you can keep in an aquarium.
How often feed South American cichlids?
Things to remember when feeding your Central and South American cichlid: Depending on size and species, feed 1 to 2 times per day , no more than fish will consume in 1 to 2 minutes; some larger species may need to be fed 2 to 3 times per day.
What pH do South American cichlids like?
South American cichlids, on the other hand, tend to inhabit soft, more acidic waters with pH from 6.5 to 7.4 Water temperature ranges from mid-60’s to well above 84° F, depending on location, although most species do best between 75° and 80° F.
What cichlids can I mix together?
- Dwarf Cichlids. The first group you can keep together are Dwarf Cichlids
- South American River Cichlids
- Peacock Cichlids
- Mbuna
- African Butterfly
- Electric Yellow Cichlid
- African Orange Cichlids
- Electric Blue Haps.
Can Rams live with acaras?
Well-Known Member. The blue acaras will get up around 5″ within a year or so. While they are generally “peaceful” by cichlid standards, they may prevent your rams and apistos from defending territories.
Do South American cichlids need plants?
Generally speaking, because cichlids tend to move the substrate about, such as when nesting, it’s advantageous to have plants that will grow on rocks or other decorative elements.
Which cichlids grow the biggest?
Jaguar cichlid (Parachromis managuensis) The Jaguar can grow as large as 50cm/20″, even 60cm/24″ according to some authorities. Luckily they usually remain smaller in the aquarium and breed readily at half their reputed maximum.
How big do Jaguar cichlids get?
Size: Adults are usually found to be between 16 to 24 inches (41-61 cm) and weigh up to approximately 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) , with males being larger than females. Behavior: A beautiful, but extremely aggressive, territorial and predatory species. Diet: Their diet is small fish and invertebrates.
Do cichlids recognize you?
After recent research showed that aquarium fish can be thought to identify the faces of their human owners, the Tanganyikan cichlid has now demonstrated how facial recognition is used in the wild.
Can I keep Frontosa with Oscar?
Oscars are notoriously fast growers whereas frontosas are notoriously slow growers. If you pick up both your oscar and your frontosa as juveniles you will soon notice that the oscar first outgrows the frontosa and then will out feed it and eventually dominate it.
Is there a red cichlid?
The Blood Red Jewel Cichlid is a brilliantly colored, small to mid-sized African River Cichlid that is often relatively peaceful with other durable species! The Blood Red Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis lifalili), also known as the African Fire Cichlid, is one of the most colorful cichlids of its genus.
How big do Firemouth cichlids get?
The average firemouth cichlid size is around 6 inches for makes and 5 inches for females These fish have a rather fast growth rate, so it won’t take long for them to reach their max size.
Can Oscars and Severums live together?
Severum Cichlid Severums are docile fish that tend to keep to themselves. That said, they are generally large and tough enough to stand up to an Oscar Severum Cichlids also get along great with non-aggressive species such as Silver Dollars and Plecos, so they are a great addition to community tanks as well.
Can severum live with African cichlids?
Severum Cichlid and Green Terror Cichlid may be compatible as tank mates While Green Terror may be more aggressive than Severums, they share a similar temperament and size. Their needs in terms of water parameters are very similar as well. Therefore, they are compatible as tank mates in that sense.
Can Bala sharks live with Severums?
Bala sharks have a semi aggressive temperament so they do well with same sized semi aggressive fishes I have a pair of Bala shark with them I have kept pairs of neon aqara, fire mouth cichlids, convict cichlids, morphs, severum and dollar fish.
Do South American cichlids like caves?
Cichlids are some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish due to their inquisitive nature and interesting habits. These species really like to explore their environment and appreciate rockwork and caves in their tank Rock decorations look great and give the fish a feeling of security.
How many cichlids can I put in a 55 gallon tank?
A 55 gallon tank can house up to 15 African cichlids depending on species, maximum size and temperament.
Can you mix angelfish with cichlids?
If kept in a tank with aggressive tank mates, your angelfish are likely to become stressed and they may fail to thrive. For this reason, it is generally not recommended that you keep angelfish with Oscars or other cichlids aside from the very small species that have already been mentioned.
Can Rainbow cichlid live with angelfish?
Species that would do well in a peaceful tank with your angelfish include Symphysodon and Heros species. Rainbow cichlids, dwarf cichlids and acaras are commonly available species at higher-end pet stores and aquarium stores.
Can Jack Dempseys live with angelfish?
The angelfish can be a teeny bit aggressive when it comes their territory, but if you house them with a Jack Dempsey Cichlid in a really big tank, there should be no issues. Generally speaking, the Jack Dempsey Cichlid and the angelfish get along just fine.
How many Mbunas are in a 75 gallon tank?
Keep 8 to 12 Mbunas per 30 U.S. gallons of water Always respect your fish’s minimum tanks requirements. The more fish you add to your tank, the more harmonious it will be. Adding more fish adds extra bioload to your tank.
Is a Yellow Lab cichlid a Mbuna?
The Yellow Lab Cichlid is one of the most peaceful and docile of the Mbuna species They are very versatile and adaptable to all types of cichlid setups. They are aggressive to fish that have a similar colour, shape and build as them – don’t let them look in the mirror!.
Sources
https://www.liveaquaria.com/category/889/
Types Of Cichlids That Can Live Together – Popular Cichlids & Tank Mates