My Cichlid Page

These are my Cichlids. I have 10 of them and they all live in a 29 gallon tank. There are a few that did not make it in these pics, but I will add them later. I don't know all of their names, but will update as I learn. I also have a Bristle-nose Plecotumus (not pictured)

(Left) Venustus with Bumblebee and 3 others (Right) OB Red Zebra with Yellow Lab and my newest fish.

 

(Left) A better pic of the OB Red Zebra (Right) Unknown name, but he grows to about 5" long.

 

 

 

Here are a few things that I have learned by keeping a Cichlid tank:

 

1. Make sure you test the water WEEKLY. Ammonia can make the fish sick and even kill them if it gets high enough. Use test strips that test for everything, not just Ammonia.

2. Perform weekly water changes. The best method that has worked for me is to change out 1/3 of the water weekly. For me it means 10 gals a week.

3. When you do a water change, use Sea Salt (NOT TABLE SALT). This helps keep the fish healthy and reduces toxins. Cichlids like brackish water anyway. Brackish water is part fresh water and part salt water.

4. If possible, use live plants. They help absorb Ammonia from the water. The hard part is finding a plant that the Cichlids won't devour!

5. When cleaning out the filter, make sure you really clean the intake tube. Slime and algea can build up creating pour suction and less water flow into the tank. I tap it on the sink while using hot tap water to flush it clean.

 

 

Video of my Cichlids! (Shockwave player required)