The 6 Most Common Cichlid Species

With over 2000 common species of cichlid fish around the world, you'll find a few specific types which might be that are a lot more common with aquarium hobbyists.

They have turn out to be well-known for a lot of factors. Some are well-loved simply because of their beautiful appearance, whilst other types for being hardy cichlid species which might be easy to keep, feed, and breed.

Cichlids first became well-liked aquarium fish in 1945. Aquarium enthusiasts discovered them appropriate for home tanks because of their size and simply because they had been simple to feed and bred readily, caring for their brood even in captivity.

Here are six of essentially the most typical Cichlids which have become well-liked aquarium fish:

* Discus fish (Symphysodon sppi) - An additional favorite amongst aquarium enthusiasts, the discus fish is in all probability 1 of the far more socialized Cichlids. They're possibly one of the couple of schooling Cichlids and, in their original habitat, live in big groups.

Discus need considerably social interaction for them to improve their character, so when finding discus fish, it really is wise to get a lot more than two of them. Their breeding tanks are easy at best-no substrate needed, straightforward filtration method, and a lot of spawning web sites. The aquarium water must be soft enough to let the eggs develop properly.

* Convict Cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) - This sort of cichlid is often an excellent fish for beginners simply because of its tiny size and its ease in keeping and breeding. You'll discover that food and water conditions they're not to fussed about.

 

When keeping convict Cichlids, 1 wants to recreate their original habitat, putting in rocks and artificial caves-they'll ultimately use these for breeding-into the aquarium. They are likely to burrow into the substrate, so external filtration is best for this sort of cichlid.

* Oscar fish (Astronotus ocellatus) - Also referred to as oscar, tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, or marble cichlid, the oscar fish comes from South America and have even been deemed food fish.

Oscars being such a tough fish will stand all sorts of water types and toxicity levels. This fast-growing fish (it can grow beyond 18 inches) will eat a range of food, which includes pellets, live food, and flakes. Make sure you feed them enough live food so they remain wholesome and their colors stay bright.

* Jack Dempsey - Named after a boxing heavyweight, Jack Dempsey Cichlids are simple to breed and feed and can reside as much as 10 years. It's their stunning coloration that piques people's interest. Jack Dempsey Cichlids show a tan color with some greenish specks once they are younger.

As they mature, their colors turns purple gray with some blue and green highlights although its specks turn gold.

* The Angelfish Cichlid(Pterophyllum Scalare) - Originating from the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo rivers in South America, the angelfish has turn out to be 1 of the much more well-known Cichlids because of its unique, elegant appearance, inquisitive nature, and mild-mannered disposition

* The Dwarf Cichlid ( Mikrogeophagus ramirezi ) The Ram Cichlid can be a really beautiful, small, too as tranquil cichlid. While they had been observed over thirty years right after their relative the Bolivian Ram, they've already been brought in much more frequently and therefore are much far better identified.

They're mentioned to be just a little less intense then their Bolivian equal, but are a little bit much more challenging to maintain and reproduce. Even so they do assist make a great inhabitant for a neighborhood fish tank with fish of a comparable character.