How big does a African cichlid get?
4 to 10 inches
An African cichlid can grow to 4 to 10 inches at maturity, depending on the species. Adequate nutrition is obviously important to the fish’s growth, but environmental quality also determine’s a cichlid’s growth rate and his health over a lifetime.
Are African cichlids hard to keep?
African cichlids are really tough fish. They require hard and alkaline water, which describes the water conditions that many hobbyists have. A constant temperature is required, but as long as that temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees F these fish will be fine.
How long do African cichlids live?
African cichlids live for around 6-10 years in captivity. However, they can quite easily live on for more than a decade when given the proper care. South American and Central American cichlids, on the other hand, enjoy a super long lifespan. They can live for anywhere between 10-20 years.
Do cichlids bite?
Cichlid bites may hurt if they are the kind that has larger teeth or has a feeding style that likes to pull chunks out of their food. Some bites by smaller Cichlids actually tickle. Bigger Cichlids may draw blood akin to scraping the back of your hand on cement.
How do I keep my cichlids happy?
Cichlids prefer warm water with a high pH. While cichlids tend to be able to tolerate a wide variety of temperatures and water types, their colors will appear brighter and more vibrant in water with a pH of around eight. Many pet and aquarium stores sell aquarium additives that are designed for cichlids.
Can you mix cichlids?
Types of cichlids that can live together are cichlids from the same region. For example, African cichlids go well with other African cichlids, South American cichlids go well with other South American cichlids, and so on. In addition, some types like Dwarf cichlid can live with other cichlids.
Do cichlids need air pump?
They release it directly into the water and fish breathe it, just like in nature where they live without any pumps. Fish in a planted tank don’t need an aerator at all — it’s a waste of space and money.
How long do cichlids take to grow?
With that said, most African cichlids species take up to 2 years be fully grown, though this is when considering just the body size. In terms of coloration, they take anywhere from three months to a year to reach full potential.
What kind of water do cichlids need?
warm water
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. A large aquarium may need a heater at each end.
How big of a tank do you need for African cichlids?
Since African cichlids are an active and aggressive species, they should have plenty of space. Fish that are at least six inches long should be considered larger, and require a minimum of 30 gallons of aquarium space. Smaller fish need at least a 20-gallon tank.