Lake Malawi contains many different species of cichlid fish. Each of the different species of cichlid fish that live in Lake Malawi have evolved to fill specific role within the lake, and each of these species of cichlid fish have different needs and temperaments. Due to the fact that each of these species of cichlid fish have different needs, a species chart is used to determine which species of cichlid fish can live together within a tank.
The species chart displays which species of cichlid fish has similar needs to each other, and it displays which species of cichlid fish have similar temperaments to each other. By utilizing the species chart, aquarists can successfully create a community of cichlid fish that will work together in the tank, rather than one that begin to fight with each other. The species chart categorizes each species of cichlid fish into four different groups: Mbuna, Peacocks, Haplochromines, and Utaka.
Choose the Right Cichlids for Your Tank
The Mbuna cichlid fish species live near rocky shorelines in there home lake, and they consume algae that grows on these rocky areas. Consequently, Mbuna species requires rocky areas in their tanks. The Peacock cichlid fish species sift through sand in the lake in search of their food, so their tanks should have open spaces at the bottom for the fish to sift through sand.
Haplochromines species hunt for other fish in the water, while Utaka species live in schools and eat drifting plankton in schools. By understanding the roles that each of these different species fulfill in Lake Malawi, aquarists can successfully find species that has similar roles in the tank, making it easier for the aquarist to select which species of cichlid fish to add to the tank. The color of the male cichlid fish can reveal information regarding both the health of, and the mood of, the male fish.
Male cichlid fish tend to display their characteristic colors when they are breeding. These colors can indicate whether the male is feeling confident or stressed. If a male cichlid fish loses its color, it can be a result of poor water quality in the tank, or it can be a result of too much competition between tank fish.
In order to preserve the colors of the cichlid fish, the water in the tank should be alkaline, and the tank should be well-filtered. By maintaining good water quality, and by maintaining low tensions within the tank, aquarists can avoid having torn fins of the cichlid fish. The dietary needs of cichlid fish can also differ based off the feeding styles of each species of cichlid fish.
For instance, Mbuna cichlid fish are herbivores; they eat only plant-based foods. However, if someone provides too much protein for Mbuna fish, they can develop digestive problems. Haplochromines are predators that eat other fish, so they need to have protein foods provided to them within the tank.
By feeding each species of cichlid fish the food that it requires, the water quality within the tank can be maintained. Additionally, feeding the correct foods to each species of cichlid fish causes the food that is left in the tank to last longer before it begin to break down. The size of the tank in which the cichlid fish is kept must also be determined based upon the behavior of the species of cichlid fish.
Mbuna species are known to be somewhat aggressive towards other Mbuna fish, so their tank should incorporate many caves and areas where the fish can hide. Fewer Mbuna species will need to compete with each other for territories. Cichlid fish that dwell in open areas of the tank do not require as much space as the other species of cichlid fish, and they do not need to defend specific areas in the tank.
The species chart displays the minimum amount of gallon that each species of cichlid fish should have in their tanks. Another important behavior of cichlid fish is mouthbrooding. Female cichlid fish carry the eggs and fry in their mouths for several weeks, and the females do not eat during this time.
During this time, the tank should remain stable, and the male fish should always have appropriate activities to keep them occupied. A tank setup that accounts for both the territorial spacing of the fish and the diet of the fish will provide the female fish with the peace and calm that it needs to successfully complete its natural behavior of mouthbrooding. A good species chart for cichlid fish should connect the dietary needs, the water chemistry needs, and the behavioral needs of each species of cichlid fish.
For instance, the chart can show the terririal behavior of Mbuna fish that cannot coexist with the predatory behaviors of Haplochromine fish. The chemistry of the water, the type of decorative rocks and areas in the tank, and the feeding routines for each species of fish should all work together to minimize the stress of the fish. By minimizing the stress that is placed upon each species of cichlid fish, the fish will exhibit their natural behaviors, and, consequently their natural colors.
