| Cichlids are huge species of fish belonging to the | | | | water, which is their habitat as well. |
| Family Cichlidae. This Family is highly distinct and the | | | | The Peacock cichlids unlike the Mbuna cichlids inhabit |
| fish dwell in whole host of diverse environments. The | | | | the open waters of the Lake Malawi. The Peacock |
| differentiations in the cichlids in order to fit their own | | | | cichlids are named so, because of their vivacious and |
| specific environments can be seen with respect to | | | | eye-catching colors. Usually the male are more vividly |
| size, character, nourishing routines, ideal water quality | | | | colored than the female. The female have more |
| and so forth. They can be found both in fresh water | | | | masking coloration. The Peacock cichlids are usually |
| and salt water. Angelfish, Oscar, Jack Dempsey and | | | | carnivores but there are some species who like to |
| Discus are some well known varieties of cichlids and | | | | nourish themselves with the zooplanktons available |
| there are over 1300 different species of the fish | | | | around. The female Peacock cichlids are known to |
| inhabiting the waters. | | | | sentinel the eggs inside her mouth and hence are |
| The cichlids are basically categorized into two kinds | | | | called as ovophile mouth brooders. It is recommended |
| of fish: African cichlids and New World cichlids. The | | | | not to keep both the Mbuna and Peacock cichlids |
| New World cichlids are further classified into South | | | | together in the same fish tank because they scarcely |
| American and Central American cichlids. They are the | | | | ever meet in their natural habitats. |
| priority choice for the hobbyists and fish collectors | | | | The Lake Victoria is said to inhabit more than 200 |
| because of their attractive colors, and hardiness they | | | | distinct cichlid species. The water chemistry of Lake |
| dispose. | | | | Victoria is quite hard because of the high mineral |
| African cichlids are caught from the three major lakes | | | | content disbanded into the waters. So, if you are |
| in Africa - Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi and Lake | | | | planning to keep the Victoria cichlids in your fish tank |
| Victoria. The African cichlids are well known for their | | | | and wish to increase the resoluteness of water then |
| strikingly attractive patterns, range of colors and the | | | | adding a commercial buffer or natural corals, shells |
| great degree of aptitude. It is really astonishing to | | | | and limestone will do the trick. But you should ensure |
| see the immaculate social conduct and brilliance | | | | that the pH of the water should remain between 7.2 |
| owned by these tiny little species. The cichlids from | | | | and 8.6 and the temperature between 74-78 degrees |
| Africa are well known tropical fish for their | | | | F at all times. The Victoria cichlids are good at |
| propagation and hence are all preferred to be easily | | | | adapting into new habitats but the introduction has to |
| maintained in the aquariums. | | | | be slow and gradual. The Lake Victoria cichlids which |
| The third largest and the second deepest lake of | | | | are known to have easily been spawned in the |
| Africa, Lake Malawi is known to inhabit over 1000 | | | | aquariums are Astatotilapia brownie (Haplo cichlid) and |
| species of cichlids. The African Malawi cichlids are | | | | Neochromis rufocaudalis (Nigricans). |
| divided into two kinds: Peacock cichlids and Mbuna | | | | The Lake Tanganyika has diverse biotopes and each |
| cichlids by the aquarists. The African Mbuna is a | | | | biotope has distinct cichlid population. The Open |
| rock-inhibitor which is found in the rocky and shallow | | | | water biotope is the home for the widely held cichlid |
| terrains of the Lake Malawi. The male Mbuna is more | | | | species Cyprichromis. These Tanganyika cichlids can |
| distinctly colored than the female. These species | | | | grow up to 5 inches long and are vibrantly colored. |
| exhibit a strange brilliance to avoid aggression | | | | The shell bed biotope is the home for shell-dweller |
| between the likes; when two female or male cichlids | | | | cichlids which are very tiny, the smallest of the cichlid |
| are kept in the fish tank the weakest exhibit | | | | species. They like the sandy substrate and like to live |
| diminished coloration in order to avoid aggression. | | | | close to the surface of the ground underwater. The |
| When keeping two male Mbuna cichlids in the same | | | | rocky biotopes are the habitats for the gorgeous |
| aquarium bear in mind to provide enough room for | | | | Julidochromis cichlids. These species of cichlids are |
| both of them to claim the ownership of their part; | | | | widespread in the Lake Tanganyika and very |
| this can be easily done by creating instinctive borders | | | | territorial conscious. |
| naturally - caves, rocks and so on. The segregations | | | | Tilapia is a well known cichlid which is an important |
| help in keeping the males out of each other's sight | | | | source of human fish food. They have a very insipid |
| and thus avoid any unwanted aggressions. The | | | | coloration and hence are not liked much as aquarium |
| Mbuna cichlids usually breed in caves underneath | | | | cichlids. |