Setting up an African Cichlid Aquarium
Introduction
Equipment needed
Setting up the aquarium
The water
Decorating the aquarium
The fish
The biological side of aquariums
Feeding African cichlids
Routine maintenance
Health
Introduction
African Rift Lake Cichlids are some of the most colourful and breathtaking freshwater aquarium fish. They originate from the Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria in Africa. The majority of African cichlids are from Lake Malawi, with new species and sub-species discovered each year. This continued revision of the classification of African cichlids can cause some confusion, with names periodically changing.
However, in spite of these problems, these fish offer hobbyists a diverse range of species in a variety of colours. They are easy to keep and have become one of the most widely kept fish worldwide.
Equipment Needed
Aquarium
African cichlids can grow big. Many of them will reach 15 - 20 cm, and for this reason we recommend that you buy as large an aquarium as you can afford and have room for, with 24” (60 cm) the smallest we recommend. Keep in mind that if you buy an aquarium smaller than 36” (90 cm), you will eventually need to upgrade to a larger aquarium. A 48” (122 cm) aquarium or larger is recommended for fully grown specimens.
Filter
Cichlids are messy fish, so a filter system will be essential for the successful keeping of African cichlids. A filter system will allow for removal and breakdown of waste products that are produced by the fish.
Suitable filter systems depend largely on the size of the aquarium. Power filters are the preferred choice of filtration. Of these, canister filters are the best choice, allowing for a large surface area for waste breakdown. Internal power filters are also extremely effective at removal of waste products and debris. Try to get a filter that will turn over the aquarium volume 4 or 5 times an hour.
Undergravel filters are not recommended for African cichlids as they tend to dig in the gravel, exposing the filter plate, which greatly reduces its effectiveness. There are many different brands of filters available, and we can advise you on the most suitable filter for your requirements.
Aquarium substrate
African cichlids have different water requirements to other freshwater fish (see the section on the water). For this reason calcium carbonate chips or crushed coral should be used as the substrate in the aquarium. You can either use this alone, or mix it 50/50 with normal aquarium gravel. If normal aquarium gravel is used on its own, then additional adjusting of the water chemistry (pH and hardness) may be required to maintain optimal conditions.
Other needs...
In addition to the aquarium and filter system, you will need a heater, a net, chlorine neutraliser, African Rift Lake Conditioner, styrene foam for the aquarium to sit on, a bucket (which has never been used with detergent) and possibly a light so that the fish can be properly seen and their beautiful colours enjoyed.
Setting up the Aquarium
When you get home, rinse the aquarium out in fresh water (DO NOT USE DETERGENTS) and select a location for it. This should not be too close to a window, or else green algae may become a problem. It you have a light for the aquarium a relatively dark part of the room is ideal as you can control the amount of light the aquarium receives.
Once the location is determined, and the aquarium is in place with the styrene foam underneath, the substrate can be added. Before adding this, be sure to wash it well in a bucket to ensure all dirt is removed.
Once the substrate has been added, the aquarium can be filled with water. To ensure that the substrate is not disturbed, pour the water onto a plate sitting on top of the substrate. When the aquarium is about three-quarters full, add any rocks, driftwood or ornaments, and then finish filling. Add chlorine neutraliser and African Rift Lake Conditioner in the recommended dosage, and then you are ready to add the fish.
It is a good idea when filling the aquarium to measure how many litres of water it holds, as you will need to know this in order to add the right amount of chlorine neutraliser and African Rift Lake Conditioner (as well as any medications you may need to add in the future). To calculate the volume in litres, multiply the length x width x height (in centimetres) together, then divide by 1000.
The Water
The water from the African Rift Lakes where these fish come from is hard and alkaline. It is important that you replicate these water conditions in your aquarium. African Rift Lake Conditioner will help greatly in hardening your tap water and should be used instead of normal Aquarium Salt. Ideally the hardness should be 200-250 ppm.
Crushed coral, calcium carbonate chips, or a mixture of these will result in a higher pH (or alkaline water). Ideally the pH should be 7.6 to 8.0. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the pH, which can occasionally creep down towards a neutral (7.0) value. Be sure to buy a good quality high range pH test kit, as a normal pH test kit for tropical fish will only read up to 7.4. The temperature should be kept between 24oC and 26oC.
Decorating the Aquarium
Plants are often not very successful in an African aquarium, since some African cichlids thoroughly enjoy eating them, and their digging habits can also cause problems. For this reason plastic plants are often preferable. If using live plants, note that many of the commonly available freshwater plants will not tolerate the high pH and hardness value that African cichlids need. Plants that you can try include Java Fern, Vallisineria and possibly Anubias sp.
Rocks and wood can be used very effectively to decorate the aquarium. Rocks should be thoroughly washed before use. If in doubt about a particular rock, bring it in and we will advise you on its suitability. Try to arrange the rocks to form caves and ledges, although make sure that they are firmly anchored in place so they do not fall on top of the fish. Driftwood can also be used, however it needs to be properly treated before use or it may discolour the water to a yellowish brown. Ask us for full details.
The Fish
The size and filtration of the aquarium controls how many fish the aquarium can hold. Assuming that adequate filtration is used, we recommend the one 5 cm fish per 10 litres of aquarium water. Thus, a 36” (90 cm) aquarium with 150 litres of water can hold 12-15 cichlids. Aquariums larger than 24” (60 cm) can accommodate slightly larger fish, so no hard and fast rule can be laid down. However, remember that your fish will grow, so remember to leave some room in the aquarium to allow for when they get a bit bigger.
Also remember that when the aquarium is newly set up, you should start out during the first two or three weeks with only about a quarter of the final number of fish allowed in the aquarium. This will enable the filter system, with its necessary bacterial population, to settle down and become effective at removing waste from the water. The additional fish can then be gradually added over the next month or two.
The general rule when mixing African cichlids is to keep the sizes similar, although there are still no guarantees that your fish will live harmoniously. Cichlids are an aggressive group of fish, and you will need to take measures if you encounter aggression problems in the aquarium. This may mean something as simple as adding more fish, rocks or plants, or rearranging the decorations. In fact, it is a good idea whenever adding new fish to rearrange the decorations so that existing territories are lost and the existing inhabitants of the aquarium are too busy looking to establish new territory to worry about the newcomers.
African cichlids generally do not mix well with other types of fish. They require different foods and a higher pH level. However, some catfish of the genus Synodontis can help with scavenging uneaten food. The higher pH of African cichlid aquariums also means that algae can flourish, so it is a good idea to add an algae-eating catfish such as Bristle-Nose or Plecostomus.
Once you have chosen your fish and have brought them home, float the bag on top of the water in the aquarium for about 10-20 minutes before opening the bag. This will allow the temperature of the water in the bag to become the same as in the aquarium, thus reducing stress on the fish.
The Biological Side of Aquariums...
As mentioned, a bacterial population is crucial in any aquarium. Fish produce waste products, mainly ammonia, which needs to be broken down in the aquarium before it reaches toxic levels. This is done by beneficial bacteria, which live in the gravel and in the filter. These bacteria break down the ammonia into nitrite, which is still toxic, and which in turn is broken down further into nitrate.
In a newly set up aquarium, there are no bacteria present, and it may take up to 3 or 4 weeks to establish a population large enough to cope with the amount of ammonia being produced. For this reason, it is important to not add too many fish at once. It is also important not to overfeed, as uneaten food will rot down and also produce ammonia. The establishment of bacteria can be accelerated by adding a Biological Supplement, such as Seachem Stability or Nutrafin Cycle, which gives the bacteria population a boost.
Once the bacterial population has established, it is important not to kill it. This means not cleaning your aquarium too thoroughly (washing the gravel will kill the bacteria), and not cleaning sponges from sponge filters under the tap (as the chlorine will also kill the bacteria). Instead, wash sponges in water removed from the aquarium by gently squeezing and rubbing dirt off the sponge. If you look after these beneficial bacteria, then the bacteria will look after your fish by eliminating the toxic ammonia waste produced by your fish.
Feeding African Cichlids
Many African cichlids are primarily herbivorous so their diet needs to contain a high percentage of vegetable protein. Reputable manufacturers such as HBH, Omega One and Wardleys provide fully balanced pellet and flake foods, some including colour enhancing blends. Spirulina flake and pellets are also a popular food choice for African cichlids. The supermarket brands of foods are definitely not suitable for African cichlids.
Variety is the spice of life and your fish will benefit from a range of different types of foods. You can try Frozen Mysis Shrimp or Brine Shrimp, Frozen Vegetable blends, and live Brine Shrimp as treats.
Never feed your fish foods that contain red meat products, such as live Blackworms, frozen bloodworms, and tropical fish flake. African cichlids have a long intestinal tract, and red meat products can start to rot in the intestines before reaching the end. Vegetable matter and shrimp are ideal foods.
The most important thing to remember when feeding is DO NOT OVERFEED. More problems are caused by overfeeding than anything else. The more you feed them, the more waste they produce, and the more polluted the aquarium becomes. Overfeeding can rapidly cause the filter system to overload and the fish end up swimming in their own sewage. The rule is that any food given should be eaten in 3 minutes, and usually only feed once a day (small African cichlids will benefit from two small feeds daily).
Routine Maintenance
Aquariums need partial water changes at regular intervals to keep the water quality good. For aquariums smaller than 36” (90 cm), this should be about 33% every week. For larger aquariums, change about 33% every two weeks
During the water change the fish can stay in the aquarium, and it is a good time to wipe the inside of the glass to clean any build-up of algae, and to clean out the filter. Sponges from sponge filters should be rinsed in the water you have just emptied from the aquarium, so as to avoid killing the bacterial population. Don’t forget to add chlorine neutraliser and African Rift Lake Conditioner in the recommended dosage for the amount of water being added to the aquarium. Finally, it is a good idea to regularly check the pH of the water and adjust if necessary.
Health
African cichlids are incredibly hardy fish. Most health problems originate with poor water quality. If the fish are swimming in water that has the wrong pH or high ammonia, then they become stressed and run down, thus making them vulnerable to attack by the parasites, fungus and bacteria which are always present. The key to healthy fish is good water quality. Be careful not to overfeed, do regular partial water changes, and make sure your filter is working effectively. If the fish do become sick, then daily partial water changes can help, as well as various medications. Talk to us about those most suited for your fish’s problems, but remember that a clean tank is the first line of defence against illness.
You are now ready to enjoy the colour and vibrancy of your African cichlid aquarium. If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to contact us – we will do our best to help you with any difficulties you may experience.
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