A modern aquarium is difficult to imagine without bright aquarium fish called American cichlids . They have characteristic features that distinguish among fish of other species, namely:
- compressed elongated body;
- dorsal single fin;
- bright coloring;
- relatively large head with a large mouth;
- elongate rigid fore fin rays.
Depending on the size of the fish, there are two types: large and dwarf American cichlids. Large ones can reach 30-40 cm, while dwarf ones can not exceed 10 cm.
Types of American cichlids
There are several common types of cichlids that aquarists prefer:
- Turquoise Akara . This is the brightest and most common fish in aquarists. Males grow long, about 30 cm in size, when females are smaller than once in two. For life, the aquarium water temperature should be 27 degrees, for breeding - a little higher. Water should be changed often. Turquoise Akara is aggressive towards other aggressive species of fish.
- Festal cichlisoma . The color range of these fish is very bright: females with a greenish-yellow hue, the color of males is yellowish or bright red. Adult males grow to 35 centimeters, and females to 30. The temperature of the contents is about 30 degrees. Festa is a predator, but does not show aggression.
- The Managua cichlazoma . Quite an original and unusual representative of cichlids. In nature, the maximum length of males is 55 cm, and the female is 40 cm. In the aquarium, these cichlids are slightly smaller. The color of the fish is peculiar - silvery with black-brown slinging, on the sides there are moldless spots. The water temperature in the aquarium should be 27 degrees. Huge size does not affect the aggression of cichlids.
- Astronotus . Intellectual fish. In nature it reaches 45 cm, but in artificial conditions they are slightly smaller. The color is uneven and varies from brown to black. Yellow-orange spots are located throughout the body. Differences in sex are almost invisible. The water temperature should be 30 degrees. Astronotus are not whimsical and do not differ with particular aggression.
Contents of fishes
Aquarium fish American cichlids, quite large, so they need large amounts of water. A pair of adult large cichlids will require approximately 150 liters. At the same time, it is necessary to observe normal mechanical and biofiltration. In choosing an aquarium, the most important thing is not the height, but the bottom area.
Before you start these exotic fish you need to understand what the cichlids eat. Predators by nature, these fish need protein food. The diet should include: Cyclops, Artemia and Daphnia. You can independently make minced meat from seafood, adding the meat of scallops, shrimps, mussels and squid. An adult cichlid should be given food not more than once a day.