Selecting suitable tank mates for African cichlids can be a bit of a challenge – most common aquarium fish will not make good tank mates. Ideally, you would like to keep this level to below 20 ppm.
Your aquarium should be fully cycled before introducing these fish since they will not tolerate ammonia and nitrites in the water.Ī 25% weekly water change is a good starting point, but use your test kit to measure nitrate levels. They do well in hard water, up to 25 dGH. Red zebra cichlids have a preference for alkaline water with a pH of 7.5-8.6. Standard fluorescent or LED aquarium lighting will work equally well. Unless you plan on growing live plants in your aquarium, your choice of lighting will mostly be determined by your own preferences. This is enough to keep the water in your tank well-filtered without creating too much current. These filters create a flow rate of 300-375 gallons per hour. This is handy because mbuna tanks are often overstocked to limit territorial aggression.įor the advised minimum tank size of 55 gallons, a canister filter like the Fluval 307 is a great option.Īlternatively, a hang-on back filter like the Marineland Penguin Prop 375 Power Filter can be used. Canister filters are a great option for African cichlid aquariums because they do not take up any room in the aquarium. Good filtration is the key to success with any aquarium. These plants can be grown attached to your hardscape. This habit means they tend to dig up plants too, so the only really suitable options are epiphytes like java fern and Anubias species. Therefore, a smooth sand or pebble substrate is ideal for the fish to safely “rearrange the furniture.” Red zebra cichlids tend to shift small objects around in the tank. This also provides the fish with hiding spaces to escape any aggression. Provide plenty of space and rock structures like caves, tunnels, and rock piles in the tank to imitate a natural environment for these feisty fish. The minimum tank size for a small group of red zebra cichlids is 55 gallons (200 l). When it comes to choosing a tank size, select the largest size that you can afford, have space for, and are able to manage.
#Fire red zebra cichlid how to#
Let’s take a look at how to set up the ideal aquarium for your red zebra cichlids. This should include one male and a harem of 3 or more females.īy keeping several females, you will be able to prevent any individual getting too much unwanted attention from the male.
Keep your red zebra cichlids in a shoal of at least four individuals. It is essential to house them in the correct tank size and with the appropriate tank mates to minimize their aggression. They are a fish species that need careful research before introducing to any aquarium. This behavior is important in nature where breeding sites are limited, and pairs must defend a territory. Red zebra cichlids are mbunas known for their fairly aggressive and territorial natures. Wild specimens can be found in a range of different color morphs, including: Most specimens in the aquarium hobby are orange-red, but the species is naturally variable in color. The red zebra has a bit of a confusing name because they aren’t always red, and they don’t have stripes! The females are slightly smaller, reaching a maximum length of about 4 inches (10 cm).
Red zebra cichlids are medium-sized fish that typically grow to around 5 inches (13 cm) in length. The water in this lake is warm and notoriously alkaline, with a pH of over 8 and temperatures between about 75 and 84☏ (24-29☌). In this lake, red zebra cichlids occupy rocky and sandy areas with plenty of caves and cracks where they hide and feed. The lake is a massive body of water that lies south of the equator, forming the borders of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. This species comes from Lake Malawi and is found nowhere else. The red zebra cichlid is a freshwater fish from the rift valley region of East Africa.
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