As mentioned earlier, the so called freshwater shark species are actually a better choice for a freshwater aquarium than the true freshwater shark species. If you have
a saltwater aquarium you can also keep some of the smallest saltwater shark species. A saltwater aquarium is not suitable as a first aquarium; it is advisable to begin
with a freshwater aquarium and gain some experience before you venture into the beautiful but somewhat more complicated saltwater world.
It is common for the so called freshwater sharks to come from rivers and lakes in Asia. They might look like sharks, but their anatomy and habits are very different
from those of a true shark. The so called sharks are typically not even predatory. Always try to find out the true name of the “Shark” that you are offered in the fish
store, since you should choose a species that will not outgrow your aquarium.
The Bala shark is one example of a so called shark that is commonly sold to hobby aquarists even though it will reach a mature size of 36 centimeters (14 inches) which
makes it too big for a majority of the hobby aquarists. The Bala shark should also ideally be kept in a school consisting of at least six Bala sharks, since Bala
sharks always form schools in the wild. Keeping six fishes that are longer than 30 centimeters in the same aquarium is unfeasible for most aquarists. The Black shark
is another so called shark that is typically offered to aquarists when it is 5 centimeters (2 inches) long, and many fish stores are quite reluctant to tell the
purchaser that the quite little fish that they just bought can become 82 centimeters (32 inches) long.
ergetic fishes to swim around in. Keep the aquarium closed to prevent the fish from jumping out of the water. hould also be planted with some surface leafed plants
that will provide the fish with shade during hot days.
South American Cichlids
South America has at least 450 cichlid species but only 311 of them have been scientifically described. The latest complete scientific revision of this cichlid group
was made during the early years of the 20th century. The South American cichlids have adapted to a wide range of environments and ecological niches. Most of the known
South American cichlids are opportunistic carnivores or piscivores, but some species feed on mollusks, planktons or plant material. The smallest South American cichlid
species are no larger than 3 centimeters while the largest can grow up to 60 centimeters.
One of the most famous South American cichlids among aquarists is Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater Angelfish. Due to its Latin name, the Angelfish is also called
Scalare. This South American cichlid lives in slow flowing streams and rivers where the water is soft and acidic. When you keep Angelfish the pH-value in the aquarium
should be between 6.5 and 6.9 and the dH between 0.6 and 1.2. Poor water quality can easily make your Angelfish refrain from eating and good filtration and frequent
water changes are therefore necessary. In comparison to many other tropical fish species kept by aquarist the Angelfish is a sturdy species when it comes to parasite
attacks. It can however succumb to the common Ich (the Ichthyophthirius parasite) or Exophthalmia, especially when stressed by high levels of soluble waste, unsuitable
water chemistry, a poorly decorated aquarium etcetera.
Another popular cichlid group that hails from South America is the Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids are not suitable for novice aquarists, but for the more experienced
aquarist they are an interesting choice since Pike cichlids are active and fascinating predators. Their body is typically elongated and the mouth is broad and
protruding. Pike cichlids will usually spend most of their time hiding behind rocks or sunken tree stems from which they can ambush unsuspecting prey. Pike cichlids
belong to the genus Crenicichla and come in a wide range of sizes. The dwarf pike cichlids will not grow larger than 3 or 4 inches, while the largest Pike cichlids are
18-24 inches long. The medium sized Pike cichlids will typically stay around 6-10 inches. Dwarf Pike cichlids are popular among aquarists since they are easier to
house than the larger Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids have gotten a quite bad reputation due to their aggressive behavior, but aggression is not a problem as long as you
provide your Pike cichlid with an aquarium that is suitable for them. Pike cichlids like to rearrange aquarium décor, but they will usually refrain from uprooting
plants. A fish that is smaller than the Pike cichlid is not suitable as tank mate since it will be considered prey.
Oscar cichlids are very popular among aquarist with larger aquariums. The Oscar cichlid – Astronotus ocellatus– lives in somewhat acidic waters in South America where
wild Oscar cichlids are found in the River Amazon and in its tributaries in Paraguay and Brazil. You should keep the pH in the aquarium between 6.5 and 7.0 and the
water should ideally be soft or just slightly hard. The recommended water temperature is 20-26 degrees C (70-80 degrees F). Oscar cichlids are intelligent and
investigative and can grow bored in a barren aquarium. You should therefore include interesting things in the aquarium set up. Adding a new “toy” can perk up a bored
Oscar fish.Tropical Fish Food
In this section you will find articles about different types of tropical fish food and how to feed you fish in order to ensure optimal health. Correct feeding is also
very important if you want to breed fish, since certain food types or an increased amount of food can trigger spawning in many species. If you are a beginner fish
keeper we recommend some of the introductory articles that describe the different types of available fish foods and how to feed your fish. You can also go to the
articles library and look up your specific species in order to find more detailed information about their requirements and ideal diet. You will also find such
information in the species database.
This section of the articles library do not only include feeding guidelines and different opinions regarding fish food, but also has a lot of articles about how to
raise live food for your fish by cultivating Brine shrimp, Daphnia, Fruit flies, Vinegar eels, microworms etcetera. You can also create your own tropical fish food for
herbivore species from vegetables. A high quality flake or pellet food is a good base for many tropical fish species that except non-live food and that base can then
be supplemented with your home-grown treats to ensure a varied and well balanced diet. If you do not want to grow your own food, most fish stores will sell frozen
meaty foods that you can store in your freezer.
Different tropical fish species will require different types of food. Providing your fish with a varied diet is always recommended, since a varied diet makes it easier
for you fish to obtain all necessary nutrients. Keep in mind that even a predatory fish species can eat algae or plant material in the wild, and therefore slowly begin
to suffer from malnutrition in an unplanted aquarium that has been vigorously scrubbed clean from algae. Herbivore fish species that feed chiefly on plant material and
plankton will usually gulp down a tiny insect or some zoo plankton in the wild, something that will be hard to do when kept in captivity and feed only plant based
flake food.
If you wish to use a prepared food as a base for your fish, you should ideally choose a food that has been composed in order to satisfy the needs of your particular
species or fish group. If you keep some of the Goldfish variants, you should therefore try to find Goldfish food, a Pleco will do best on Pleco or Catfish food and so
on. It is impossible to create a fish food that is perfect for all possible fish species, and “Universal” fish foods that claim to be suitable for all types of
aquarium fish is therefore always a middle rood that will keep most species alive, but seldom allow them to thrive. You might also need to change the diet of your fish
as it grows older. Fry, immature fish, breeding adults and old specimens all have their own requirements and these can differ significantly.
A lot of problems encountered by aquarists are the results of over-feeding. Do not feed your fish more food than they will consume within 3-5 minutes. Left over food
will begin to decompose and can pollute the water. Over eating can also cause obesity in your fish, a condition which will threaten its health and make it less likely
to spawn. A fish that eats more food than necessary will also produce more waste products and these waste products will add to the pollution of your aquarium.
Tetra Fish
In this section of the articles library you will find information about the many different Tetra fish species. All the Tetras belong to the family Characidae in the
order Characiformes and are small freshwater fishes. Many tropical Tetra fish species are popular among aquarists, especially the species that are brightly colored and
easy to care for in captivity.
The most famous of the Tetra species is of course the immensely popular Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). This fish is found in both blackwater and clearwater streams
in Brazil, Colombia and Peru. It is a peaceful fish that is commonly kept in community aquariums. It is not hard to care for and is suitable for novice aquarists. The
Neon tetra grows no larger than 5 centimeters (2 inches). You should always keep at least 10 Neon tetra fishes together, since this is a schooling species that will
feel very stressed if kept alone. Your Neon tetra will appreciate a well planted aquarium, but leave a space open for swimming. Floating plants that will dim the light
a bit is recommended. A dark substrate will also help creating a less bright environment in the aquarium since it will not reflect the light. The colors of the Neon
tetra will also look more vibrant against a dark substrate. Keep the water temperature between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. The Neon tetra can live in acidic water as
well as in a slightly alkaline environment, so anything from pH 5.5 to pH 7.5 will be okay. Getting a Neon tetra to eat in captivity is definitely not hard and you
should strive to avoid over feeding. Choose a high-quality flake food.
An example of a less well-known tropical Tetra fish species is the Congo tetra, Micralestes interruptus. This Tetra is not as sturdy as the Neon tetra and frequent
water changes are very important since this species is sensitive to poor water conditions. The aquarium where you house your Congo tetra must also be equipped with
sufficient circulation. The Congo tetra is peaceful but can be a little skittish and nervous. You can make your Congo tetra less shy and decrease the stress by
decorating the aquarium in a way that creates plenty of hiding spots. The Congo tetra should be kept with at least five other Congo tetras, preferably even more.
Aggressive and bullying fish can make the Congo tetra very stressed. The Congo tetra will stay stronger in slightly acidic water, but can tolerate anything from pH 6
to pH 7.5. Wild Congo tetra is found in the warm waters of the Zaire river basin on the African continent, and your Congo tetra will therefore appreciate a water
temperature in the 23-26° C (73º -79º F) range. Soft water is best, but a healthy Congo tetra will usually adapt to harder conditions as well.
A third example of an interesting tropical Tetra fish species is the Serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques). This fish has a very beautiful red coloration and is
therefore also known as Blood characin, Jewel tetra, Red serpa and an abundance of other names that all alludes to the decorative red color. The red shades vary from
reddish brown to a vivid bright red. The main body is red, and so is the all the fins except for the dorsal fin which is black with a white fringe. Behind the gill
cover, the body is decorated with a dark marking that is shaped like a comma.
Tanganyika Cichlids
Tanganyika cichlids are a group of African cichlids from the Great Rift Valley region. All Tanganyika cichlids are native to Lake Tanganyika and many species are
endemic to the lake. Lake Tanganyika comprises three main biotopes: the first one is the bottom which is covered in empty snail shell, the second consists of
underwater reefs and the rocky shorelines that encircle the lake, and the third biotope is the large open water areas. Tanganyika cichlids are found in all three
biotopes and the different species have adapted to these various environments.
When you keep Tanganyika cichlids in your aquarium it is therefore advisable to find out which biotope they belong to in the wild, since a rock living Tanganyika
cichlid have other preferences than a shell dweller and so on. The water chemistry will however be the same in the entire lake and the water temperature is stable. The
Tanganyika cichlids live in the upper part of this deep lake where the temperature stays around 75-84°F (24-29°C). Species that spend most of their time close to the
surface will be used to slightly lager variations in water temperature; 73-88°F (23-31°C).
If you keep Tanganyika cichlids that inhabit regions where rivers and streams empty into Lake Tanganyika, they can appreciate a somewhat different water quality but
these variations are generally quite small. Since Lake Tanganyika is a large lake the environment is very stable and Lake Tanganyika cichlids are not used to rapid
changes. The vastness of the lake also means that any pollution will be diluted. Strive to keep the levels of ammonia and nitrite at zero, and do not allow the nitrate
to reach above 20 ppm. The pH should ideally be in the 7.8-8.5 range, the GH 12-20, and the KH 10-15.
Lake Tanganyika is more than 1400 meters deep, which means that it is the second deepest lake in the world. It is also a very old lake. Faulting and tectonic processes
in the earth's surface created Lake Tanganyika 7-10 million years ago. Since the lake is so old, the species that inhabits the lake have had a long time to specialize
and develop into new species. Today, there are over 250 known endemic fish species in Lake Tanganyika. Since Lake Tanganyika has not been thoroughly explored yet,
scientists suspect that they will find even more new species here in the future. Among the cichlids, the level of specialization is remarkable and 98 percent of the
known cichlid species in Lake Tanganyika can be found nowhere else in the world. Lake Tanganyika cichlids belong to over 150 different genera and they have adapted to
all possible environments within the lake.
Tanganyika cichlids claim territories before they breed, and keeping them in a small and crowded aquarium is therefore unadvisable. You can keep Lake Tanganyika
cichlids in a community aquarium, but you should always make sure that they have enough space. It is possible to mix Tanganyika cichlids from different biotopes if you
have a big aquarium. One end of the aquarium can for instance be decorated with shells for the shell-dwellers, while the other end has plenty of caves and crevices for
the rock-dwelling cichlids.
South American Cichlids
South America has at least 450 cichlid species but only 311 of them have been scientifically described. The latest complete scientific revision of this cichlid group
was made during the early years of the 20th century. The South American cichlids have adapted to a wide range of environments and ecological niches. Most of the known
South American cichlids are opportunistic carnivores or piscivores, but some species feed on mollusks, planktons or plant material. The smallest South American cichlid
species are no larger than 3 centimeters while the largest can grow up to 60 centimeters.
One of the most famous South American cichlids among aquarists is Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater Angelfish. Due to its Latin name, the Angelfish is also called
Scalare. This South American cichlid lives in slow flowing streams and rivers where the water is soft and acidic. When you keep Angelfish the pH-value in the aquarium
should be between 6.5 and 6.9 and the dH between 0.6 and 1.2. Poor water quality can easily make your Angelfish refrain from eating and good filtration and frequent
water changes are therefore necessary. In comparison to many other tropical fish species kept by aquarist the Angelfish is a sturdy species when it comes to parasite
attacks. It can however succumb to the common Ich (the Ichthyophthirius parasite) or Exophthalmia, especially when stressed by high levels of soluble waste, unsuitable
water chemistry, a poorly decorated aquarium etcetera.
Another popular cichlid group that hails from South America is the Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids are not suitable for novice aquarists, but for the more experienced
aquarist they are an interesting choice since Pike cichlids are active and fascinating predators. Their body is typically elongated and the mouth is broad and
protruding. Pike cichlids will usually spend most of their time hiding behind rocks or sunken tree stems from which they can ambush unsuspecting prey. Pike cichlids
belong to the genus Crenicichla and come in a wide range of sizes. The dwarf pike cichlids will not grow larger than 3 or 4 inches, while the largest Pike cichlids are
18-24 inches long. The medium sized Pike cichlids will typically stay around 6-10 inches. Dwarf Pike cichlids are popular among aquarists since they are easier to
house than the larger Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids have gotten a quite bad reputation due to their aggressive behavior, but aggression is not a problem as long as you
provide your Pike cichlid with an aquarium that is suitable for them. Pike cichlids like to rearrange aquarium décor, but they will usually refrain from uprooting
plants. A fish that is smaller than the Pike cichlid is not suitable as tank mate since it will be considered prey.
Oscar cichlids are very popular among aquarist with larger aquariums. The Oscar cichlid – Astronotus ocellatus– lives in somewhat acidic waters in South America where
wild Oscar cichlids are found in the River Amazon and in its tributaries in Paraguay and Brazil. You should keep the pH in the aquarium between 6.5 and 7.0 and the
water should ideally be soft or just slightly hard. The recommended water temperature is 20-26 degrees C (70-80 degrees F). Oscar cichlids are intelligent and
investigative and can grow bored in a barren aquarium. You should therefore include interesting things in the aquarium set up. Adding a new “toy” can perk up a bored
Oscar fish.
a saltwater aquarium you can also keep some of the smallest saltwater shark species. A saltwater aquarium is not suitable as a first aquarium; it is advisable to begin
with a freshwater aquarium and gain some experience before you venture into the beautiful but somewhat more complicated saltwater world.
It is common for the so called freshwater sharks to come from rivers and lakes in Asia. They might look like sharks, but their anatomy and habits are very different
from those of a true shark. The so called sharks are typically not even predatory. Always try to find out the true name of the “Shark” that you are offered in the fish
store, since you should choose a species that will not outgrow your aquarium.
The Bala shark is one example of a so called shark that is commonly sold to hobby aquarists even though it will reach a mature size of 36 centimeters (14 inches) which
makes it too big for a majority of the hobby aquarists. The Bala shark should also ideally be kept in a school consisting of at least six Bala sharks, since Bala
sharks always form schools in the wild. Keeping six fishes that are longer than 30 centimeters in the same aquarium is unfeasible for most aquarists. The Black shark
is another so called shark that is typically offered to aquarists when it is 5 centimeters (2 inches) long, and many fish stores are quite reluctant to tell the
purchaser that the quite little fish that they just bought can become 82 centimeters (32 inches) long.
ergetic fishes to swim around in. Keep the aquarium closed to prevent the fish from jumping out of the water. hould also be planted with some surface leafed plants
that will provide the fish with shade during hot days.
South American Cichlids
South America has at least 450 cichlid species but only 311 of them have been scientifically described. The latest complete scientific revision of this cichlid group
was made during the early years of the 20th century. The South American cichlids have adapted to a wide range of environments and ecological niches. Most of the known
South American cichlids are opportunistic carnivores or piscivores, but some species feed on mollusks, planktons or plant material. The smallest South American cichlid
species are no larger than 3 centimeters while the largest can grow up to 60 centimeters.
One of the most famous South American cichlids among aquarists is Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater Angelfish. Due to its Latin name, the Angelfish is also called
Scalare. This South American cichlid lives in slow flowing streams and rivers where the water is soft and acidic. When you keep Angelfish the pH-value in the aquarium
should be between 6.5 and 6.9 and the dH between 0.6 and 1.2. Poor water quality can easily make your Angelfish refrain from eating and good filtration and frequent
water changes are therefore necessary. In comparison to many other tropical fish species kept by aquarist the Angelfish is a sturdy species when it comes to parasite
attacks. It can however succumb to the common Ich (the Ichthyophthirius parasite) or Exophthalmia, especially when stressed by high levels of soluble waste, unsuitable
water chemistry, a poorly decorated aquarium etcetera.
Another popular cichlid group that hails from South America is the Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids are not suitable for novice aquarists, but for the more experienced
aquarist they are an interesting choice since Pike cichlids are active and fascinating predators. Their body is typically elongated and the mouth is broad and
protruding. Pike cichlids will usually spend most of their time hiding behind rocks or sunken tree stems from which they can ambush unsuspecting prey. Pike cichlids
belong to the genus Crenicichla and come in a wide range of sizes. The dwarf pike cichlids will not grow larger than 3 or 4 inches, while the largest Pike cichlids are
18-24 inches long. The medium sized Pike cichlids will typically stay around 6-10 inches. Dwarf Pike cichlids are popular among aquarists since they are easier to
house than the larger Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids have gotten a quite bad reputation due to their aggressive behavior, but aggression is not a problem as long as you
provide your Pike cichlid with an aquarium that is suitable for them. Pike cichlids like to rearrange aquarium décor, but they will usually refrain from uprooting
plants. A fish that is smaller than the Pike cichlid is not suitable as tank mate since it will be considered prey.
Oscar cichlids are very popular among aquarist with larger aquariums. The Oscar cichlid – Astronotus ocellatus– lives in somewhat acidic waters in South America where
wild Oscar cichlids are found in the River Amazon and in its tributaries in Paraguay and Brazil. You should keep the pH in the aquarium between 6.5 and 7.0 and the
water should ideally be soft or just slightly hard. The recommended water temperature is 20-26 degrees C (70-80 degrees F). Oscar cichlids are intelligent and
investigative and can grow bored in a barren aquarium. You should therefore include interesting things in the aquarium set up. Adding a new “toy” can perk up a bored
Oscar fish.Tropical Fish Food
In this section you will find articles about different types of tropical fish food and how to feed you fish in order to ensure optimal health. Correct feeding is also
very important if you want to breed fish, since certain food types or an increased amount of food can trigger spawning in many species. If you are a beginner fish
keeper we recommend some of the introductory articles that describe the different types of available fish foods and how to feed your fish. You can also go to the
articles library and look up your specific species in order to find more detailed information about their requirements and ideal diet. You will also find such
information in the species database.
This section of the articles library do not only include feeding guidelines and different opinions regarding fish food, but also has a lot of articles about how to
raise live food for your fish by cultivating Brine shrimp, Daphnia, Fruit flies, Vinegar eels, microworms etcetera. You can also create your own tropical fish food for
herbivore species from vegetables. A high quality flake or pellet food is a good base for many tropical fish species that except non-live food and that base can then
be supplemented with your home-grown treats to ensure a varied and well balanced diet. If you do not want to grow your own food, most fish stores will sell frozen
meaty foods that you can store in your freezer.
Different tropical fish species will require different types of food. Providing your fish with a varied diet is always recommended, since a varied diet makes it easier
for you fish to obtain all necessary nutrients. Keep in mind that even a predatory fish species can eat algae or plant material in the wild, and therefore slowly begin
to suffer from malnutrition in an unplanted aquarium that has been vigorously scrubbed clean from algae. Herbivore fish species that feed chiefly on plant material and
plankton will usually gulp down a tiny insect or some zoo plankton in the wild, something that will be hard to do when kept in captivity and feed only plant based
flake food.
If you wish to use a prepared food as a base for your fish, you should ideally choose a food that has been composed in order to satisfy the needs of your particular
species or fish group. If you keep some of the Goldfish variants, you should therefore try to find Goldfish food, a Pleco will do best on Pleco or Catfish food and so
on. It is impossible to create a fish food that is perfect for all possible fish species, and “Universal” fish foods that claim to be suitable for all types of
aquarium fish is therefore always a middle rood that will keep most species alive, but seldom allow them to thrive. You might also need to change the diet of your fish
as it grows older. Fry, immature fish, breeding adults and old specimens all have their own requirements and these can differ significantly.
A lot of problems encountered by aquarists are the results of over-feeding. Do not feed your fish more food than they will consume within 3-5 minutes. Left over food
will begin to decompose and can pollute the water. Over eating can also cause obesity in your fish, a condition which will threaten its health and make it less likely
to spawn. A fish that eats more food than necessary will also produce more waste products and these waste products will add to the pollution of your aquarium.
Tetra Fish
In this section of the articles library you will find information about the many different Tetra fish species. All the Tetras belong to the family Characidae in the
order Characiformes and are small freshwater fishes. Many tropical Tetra fish species are popular among aquarists, especially the species that are brightly colored and
easy to care for in captivity.
The most famous of the Tetra species is of course the immensely popular Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). This fish is found in both blackwater and clearwater streams
in Brazil, Colombia and Peru. It is a peaceful fish that is commonly kept in community aquariums. It is not hard to care for and is suitable for novice aquarists. The
Neon tetra grows no larger than 5 centimeters (2 inches). You should always keep at least 10 Neon tetra fishes together, since this is a schooling species that will
feel very stressed if kept alone. Your Neon tetra will appreciate a well planted aquarium, but leave a space open for swimming. Floating plants that will dim the light
a bit is recommended. A dark substrate will also help creating a less bright environment in the aquarium since it will not reflect the light. The colors of the Neon
tetra will also look more vibrant against a dark substrate. Keep the water temperature between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. The Neon tetra can live in acidic water as
well as in a slightly alkaline environment, so anything from pH 5.5 to pH 7.5 will be okay. Getting a Neon tetra to eat in captivity is definitely not hard and you
should strive to avoid over feeding. Choose a high-quality flake food.
An example of a less well-known tropical Tetra fish species is the Congo tetra, Micralestes interruptus. This Tetra is not as sturdy as the Neon tetra and frequent
water changes are very important since this species is sensitive to poor water conditions. The aquarium where you house your Congo tetra must also be equipped with
sufficient circulation. The Congo tetra is peaceful but can be a little skittish and nervous. You can make your Congo tetra less shy and decrease the stress by
decorating the aquarium in a way that creates plenty of hiding spots. The Congo tetra should be kept with at least five other Congo tetras, preferably even more.
Aggressive and bullying fish can make the Congo tetra very stressed. The Congo tetra will stay stronger in slightly acidic water, but can tolerate anything from pH 6
to pH 7.5. Wild Congo tetra is found in the warm waters of the Zaire river basin on the African continent, and your Congo tetra will therefore appreciate a water
temperature in the 23-26° C (73º -79º F) range. Soft water is best, but a healthy Congo tetra will usually adapt to harder conditions as well.
A third example of an interesting tropical Tetra fish species is the Serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques). This fish has a very beautiful red coloration and is
therefore also known as Blood characin, Jewel tetra, Red serpa and an abundance of other names that all alludes to the decorative red color. The red shades vary from
reddish brown to a vivid bright red. The main body is red, and so is the all the fins except for the dorsal fin which is black with a white fringe. Behind the gill
cover, the body is decorated with a dark marking that is shaped like a comma.
Tanganyika Cichlids
Tanganyika cichlids are a group of African cichlids from the Great Rift Valley region. All Tanganyika cichlids are native to Lake Tanganyika and many species are
endemic to the lake. Lake Tanganyika comprises three main biotopes: the first one is the bottom which is covered in empty snail shell, the second consists of
underwater reefs and the rocky shorelines that encircle the lake, and the third biotope is the large open water areas. Tanganyika cichlids are found in all three
biotopes and the different species have adapted to these various environments.
When you keep Tanganyika cichlids in your aquarium it is therefore advisable to find out which biotope they belong to in the wild, since a rock living Tanganyika
cichlid have other preferences than a shell dweller and so on. The water chemistry will however be the same in the entire lake and the water temperature is stable. The
Tanganyika cichlids live in the upper part of this deep lake where the temperature stays around 75-84°F (24-29°C). Species that spend most of their time close to the
surface will be used to slightly lager variations in water temperature; 73-88°F (23-31°C).
If you keep Tanganyika cichlids that inhabit regions where rivers and streams empty into Lake Tanganyika, they can appreciate a somewhat different water quality but
these variations are generally quite small. Since Lake Tanganyika is a large lake the environment is very stable and Lake Tanganyika cichlids are not used to rapid
changes. The vastness of the lake also means that any pollution will be diluted. Strive to keep the levels of ammonia and nitrite at zero, and do not allow the nitrate
to reach above 20 ppm. The pH should ideally be in the 7.8-8.5 range, the GH 12-20, and the KH 10-15.
Lake Tanganyika is more than 1400 meters deep, which means that it is the second deepest lake in the world. It is also a very old lake. Faulting and tectonic processes
in the earth's surface created Lake Tanganyika 7-10 million years ago. Since the lake is so old, the species that inhabits the lake have had a long time to specialize
and develop into new species. Today, there are over 250 known endemic fish species in Lake Tanganyika. Since Lake Tanganyika has not been thoroughly explored yet,
scientists suspect that they will find even more new species here in the future. Among the cichlids, the level of specialization is remarkable and 98 percent of the
known cichlid species in Lake Tanganyika can be found nowhere else in the world. Lake Tanganyika cichlids belong to over 150 different genera and they have adapted to
all possible environments within the lake.
Tanganyika cichlids claim territories before they breed, and keeping them in a small and crowded aquarium is therefore unadvisable. You can keep Lake Tanganyika
cichlids in a community aquarium, but you should always make sure that they have enough space. It is possible to mix Tanganyika cichlids from different biotopes if you
have a big aquarium. One end of the aquarium can for instance be decorated with shells for the shell-dwellers, while the other end has plenty of caves and crevices for
the rock-dwelling cichlids.
South American Cichlids
South America has at least 450 cichlid species but only 311 of them have been scientifically described. The latest complete scientific revision of this cichlid group
was made during the early years of the 20th century. The South American cichlids have adapted to a wide range of environments and ecological niches. Most of the known
South American cichlids are opportunistic carnivores or piscivores, but some species feed on mollusks, planktons or plant material. The smallest South American cichlid
species are no larger than 3 centimeters while the largest can grow up to 60 centimeters.
One of the most famous South American cichlids among aquarists is Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater Angelfish. Due to its Latin name, the Angelfish is also called
Scalare. This South American cichlid lives in slow flowing streams and rivers where the water is soft and acidic. When you keep Angelfish the pH-value in the aquarium
should be between 6.5 and 6.9 and the dH between 0.6 and 1.2. Poor water quality can easily make your Angelfish refrain from eating and good filtration and frequent
water changes are therefore necessary. In comparison to many other tropical fish species kept by aquarist the Angelfish is a sturdy species when it comes to parasite
attacks. It can however succumb to the common Ich (the Ichthyophthirius parasite) or Exophthalmia, especially when stressed by high levels of soluble waste, unsuitable
water chemistry, a poorly decorated aquarium etcetera.
Another popular cichlid group that hails from South America is the Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids are not suitable for novice aquarists, but for the more experienced
aquarist they are an interesting choice since Pike cichlids are active and fascinating predators. Their body is typically elongated and the mouth is broad and
protruding. Pike cichlids will usually spend most of their time hiding behind rocks or sunken tree stems from which they can ambush unsuspecting prey. Pike cichlids
belong to the genus Crenicichla and come in a wide range of sizes. The dwarf pike cichlids will not grow larger than 3 or 4 inches, while the largest Pike cichlids are
18-24 inches long. The medium sized Pike cichlids will typically stay around 6-10 inches. Dwarf Pike cichlids are popular among aquarists since they are easier to
house than the larger Pike cichlids. Pike cichlids have gotten a quite bad reputation due to their aggressive behavior, but aggression is not a problem as long as you
provide your Pike cichlid with an aquarium that is suitable for them. Pike cichlids like to rearrange aquarium décor, but they will usually refrain from uprooting
plants. A fish that is smaller than the Pike cichlid is not suitable as tank mate since it will be considered prey.
Oscar cichlids are very popular among aquarist with larger aquariums. The Oscar cichlid – Astronotus ocellatus– lives in somewhat acidic waters in South America where
wild Oscar cichlids are found in the River Amazon and in its tributaries in Paraguay and Brazil. You should keep the pH in the aquarium between 6.5 and 7.0 and the
water should ideally be soft or just slightly hard. The recommended water temperature is 20-26 degrees C (70-80 degrees F). Oscar cichlids are intelligent and
investigative and can grow bored in a barren aquarium. You should therefore include interesting things in the aquarium set up. Adding a new “toy” can perk up a bored
Oscar fish.
