Now that you've chosen which type of cichlid fish you want in you first cichlid tank, it's time to set it up.

TANK SETUP

The minimum recommended tank size for cichlids is 55 gallons. You will want to reserve 2-3 gallons for each inch of fish as a rule of thumb, because cichlids are very territorial.

An African cichlid tank should look quite a bit different from a South American one. African cichlids seem to prefer flat stacked rocks and rock walls with many places to hide, along with the ability to feed on algae. Make sure there is plenty of room to swim as well. Rocks don't need to take up more than 1/3 of the size of the tank. Other than that, cichlids don't need much else. Putting a lot of plants, whether fake or real doesn't make much sense because African cichlids are great diggers and will do their own part in redecorating your tank.

South American cichlids love rocks too but nicely distributed driftwood with lots of caves and holes to hide is their favorite tank decoration and keeps the water soft. The natural tannins in the water make your cichlid tank resemble their natural habitat even more.

Subtle fluorescent lighting would be recommended for your cichlid tank to imitate the type of light fish would get in their natural habitat and to bring out the brightest colors in your cichlids. The water temperature should be kept between 74-82 degrees F, with regular water changes to keep the pH level acceptable. African cichlids fare best at an alkaline 7.5-8.5 pH, while South Americans prefer soft water at under 6.5 pH. Substrates like crushed coral and gravel (1-3" deep) help retain proper pH. Over-filtration is better than under-filtration. Both partial water changes and lowering the temperature a bit can lower aggression levels and growth rates of your fish.

Whatever species you get, always do plenty of research to keep a beautiful aquarium!

To learn more about setting up your first cichlid tank info, please visit our web site to learn more about cichlid tank set up and which species to choose.