IvanMike
Aquarium Advice Freak
This probably comes from my years as a moderator on another website (TalkBass.com - Bass Guitar and Double Bass Forums: Basses, Amps, Strings, Effects).
When posting, do us all a favor - don't ask questions about "your cichlid". Cichlidae is an enormous family - be specific.
It's a little better when folk define them as "neotropical" or "African", but just barely. South American and Central American Cichlids have some different requirements, and Africa is home not only to Mbuna etc from Lake Malawi and Tanganyika, (as well as the lucky L. Victoria ones not eaten by the nile perch, and a few L Kivu haps), but Kribs and Tilapia - which are completely different fish with very different requirements.
Even defining a fish as a "Malawi" or "Central" just barely cuts it - there are a lot of different Genera and Species.
(Bet some of you thought cichlids were just those pretty fish from Africa - don't feel bad, at least you didn't pronounce the word like the square hard shelled gum....)
But in all seriousness - it would help a lot if you were specific about what kinda fish you have or are considering.
PS - The Cichlid Aquarium by Dr. Paul V. Loiselle makes great reading and covers 90% of the questions asked here.
A'ight, Rant off....
When posting, do us all a favor - don't ask questions about "your cichlid". Cichlidae is an enormous family - be specific.
It's a little better when folk define them as "neotropical" or "African", but just barely. South American and Central American Cichlids have some different requirements, and Africa is home not only to Mbuna etc from Lake Malawi and Tanganyika, (as well as the lucky L. Victoria ones not eaten by the nile perch, and a few L Kivu haps), but Kribs and Tilapia - which are completely different fish with very different requirements.
Even defining a fish as a "Malawi" or "Central" just barely cuts it - there are a lot of different Genera and Species.
(Bet some of you thought cichlids were just those pretty fish from Africa - don't feel bad, at least you didn't pronounce the word like the square hard shelled gum....)
But in all seriousness - it would help a lot if you were specific about what kinda fish you have or are considering.
PS - The Cichlid Aquarium by Dr. Paul V. Loiselle makes great reading and covers 90% of the questions asked here.
A'ight, Rant off....