Mike Hickmon asked: When it comes to care of cichlid fish, some cichlid enthusiasts will tell you that they are not an easy species to look after; much like the discus fish they need constant care and attention. But this shouldn’t put you off keeping a cichlid aquarium; they are actually quite beautiful creatures and can make excellent pets, as long as you know what you are doing. Cichlid care is very important in order to maintain the health and happiness of your pets, but before you begin you should first do some research on the species so that you know what to expect when it comes to cichlid care and keeping cichlid fish. Here are a few helpful hints to get you started.
Most species of cichlids come from central and South America and Africa, a few cichlid species can sometimes be spotted in Asia and North America as well. In their natural habitat, cichlids tend to inhabit a variety of waters which can range from anything such as the smallest pond imaginable, to a large and dangerous river. Because of their beautiful colors and the sheer amount of cichlid species available, they make very popular aquarium fish with owners all over the world taking advantage of their unique appearance and friendly manner.
Cichlids have some very distinguishing traits so that you are able to tell apart most species. Different species tend to have different living requirements such as tank space and diets. One of their distinguishing traits is their dorsal fin which is made up of two separate parts. One part is made up of spiny rays and the second part is made up from soft rays. Cichlid species vary in shape and size, with their body shape, mouth and even their teeth differing in varying degrees. The body shape of the cichlid species can alter from a leaf shape to the shape of a pencil! The most common shape of cichlid is the species which has an arched back, flattened sides and an end positioned mouth. The shape of the jaw can vary slight as well, being either undershot or overshot.
When it comes to cichlid care, knowing the various species, shapes and sizes of cichlids is very important so before you go out and purchase your cichlid, you should dedicate some spare time to learning all about the cichlid fish and their various origins and traits. This will help you to understand the care of the fish more and will, in turn make you a much better cichlid fish owner!
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