Discover the amazing thing about cichlid tropical fish
Nothing is more relaxing than watching a tank of beautiful, exotic fish swimming gracefully in your living room, den, or foyer, and no fish is more mysterious and surprisingly unusual than the cichlid. The cichlid family is unique in its diversity in size and shape, as well as in behavior and swimming abilities. You can find tropical cichlid fish in a variety of forms, such as the long, spiky-shaped Checkerboard Cichlid or the (aptly named) Puck-shaped Disc Cichlid. Cichlid tropical fish are some of the most colorful in the world, and some varieties are great spawners, which is why many of them are found in large populations in their natural habitats. One of the most frustrating things about keeping this type of fish, no matter which sub-strain you buy, is that the cichlid is extremely territorial when spawning, becoming a threat to others in the tank if you are not vigilant. Cichlids can be very mischievous and aggressive to say the least, but they are true beauties in the world of tropical fish. Let’s look at some of the most popular types of cichlid tropical fish.
– The keyhole cichlid is one of the most peaceful cichlids that can be found for the home aquarium. It doesn’t dig as often as some of its counterparts, and won’t usually harm any aquarium plants. This type of cichlid tends to form a somewhat nuclear family unit and cares for its young for about six months. The tropical fish Keyhole cichlid is a native of Guyana.
– The Oscar cichlid is native to South America and is a very popular choice among those who are just setting up an aquarium. However, many people purchase this type of cichlid only to find that it quickly becomes too large for its environment. If you want an Oscar cichlid, plan on placing it in a very large aquarium of at least one hundred gallons. And since this big guy is a carnivore, don’t plan on keeping smaller fish with him, as they can quickly become his dinner.
– The Kribensis cichlid comes from Africa and eats all foods. This is a very popular cichlid, and its medium size of three to four inches makes it perfect for foraging in medium sized aquariums with no problem. The Kribensis tends to form a relationship with another fish which can become a close-knit family, which in turn works together to defend the family’s territory and egg supply.
– Angelfish may be one of the best known tropical cichlid fish. You’ll recognize angelfish by their black bars and silver body, although breeding technology has led to the development of other colors. Angelfish are slow moving, graceful and heavenly all around, right up until breeding time. This is when the angelfish can become overly aggressive. Angelfish come to us from Central America, and are a fairly easy-to-keep cichlid that eats all foods.
– The checkerboard cichlid is brown and covered in a distinctive checkerboard pattern that is usually orange and deep blue, and has blue and red fins. The checkerboard cichlid is a lesser stalker that tends to hide most of the time, although it is friendly and calm. This tropical cichlid fish is from South America.
– The tropical discus cichlid fish is also found in South America and is very attractive. You can easily recognize the disk by its disk shape. Although difficult to maintain because it requires a constant, controlled temperature that cannot fluctuate, the disc is excellent for more experienced tank masters. This is not a good choice for the beginning cichlid owner.
amazing cichlid tropical fish
If you are thinking of adding tropical cichlid fish to your tank or aquarium, be sure to do your research and take into account any other inhabitants you may already have. Cichlids do not play well with others as a general rule. Any species in the cichlid family of tropical fish can give you years of enjoyment, provided you are well trained in its care and have the patience to maintain optimal aquarium conditions.