Cichlid species living in Lake Malawi require a special environment for successful feeding in aquariums. Fish may die in a short time in unconsciously designed aquariums. To feed the desired fish, you must create an aquarium environment taking into account the fish's natural habitats and needs.
Malawi cichlids naturally live in different areas of rocky and wide sandy lake bottoms. Some subspecies live in entirely rocky areas, some are found entirely in sandy areas, and some live at the intersection of these two areas. This diversity begins with determining which habitats the Malawi cichlid species you want to breed are found in.
An aquarium of at least 200 liters is recommended for keeping Malawi cichlids. However, dwarf cichlid species such as yellow princesses may need an aquarium of at least 135 liters. The shape of the aquarium is also important, a long rectangular structure is generally preferred.
Malawi cichlids generally live in the pH range of 7.5-8.2 and aquarium water should maintain these values. Tap water in Turkey generally provides these pH values, but it is important to let the water settle before adding it to the aquarium. The water temperature should be between 24-26 degrees Celsius. When the temperature drops below these values, cichlids may become passive, and at extremely high temperatures they may behave aggressively.
Parameters of aquarium water are not limited only to pH and temperature. The balance of nitrite and nitrate levels and beneficial bacteria is also important. For this reason, special water regulators should be used for cichlids.
Aquarium decoration is also of critical importance. Rocky and sandy areas should be created depending on the subspecies. Care should be taken to ensure that the rocks do not have pointed or sharp ends. Sand can be dug by cichlids, so rocks should be arranged accordingly. Areas such as caves that fish can enter should be created.
The front part of the aquarium should be considered as an area where fish can move freely and should be left empty. Live plants are not recommended because cichlids often destroy them. Artificial plants should not be added to the water as they may release into the water.
In addition, the number of fish in the aquarium is also important to create a healthy environment. A cichlid 5 centimeters tall should be fed for every 15 liters of water. For this reason, a colony of 1 male and 4 female cichlids can be established in a 200 liter aquarium. In this arrangement, the dominant male problem usually does not occur and the fish spawn regularly as adults.
A 20% water change should be made weekly to maintain the cleanliness and water parameters of the aquarium. An external filter is preferred, but internal filters or hanger type filters can also be used. It is also beneficial to add 2-3 freshwater mussels for natural filtration.
When feeding fish, it is important to choose specially produced Malawi cichlid food. Depending on the characteristics of the species, meat-based or vegetable-based diets can be applied. Air motors should be turned off during feeding. Feeding three times a day, morning, noon and evening, helps the fish stay healthy. In special cases, in case of illness or during the incubation period of female fish, the feeding pattern should be changed.
If female fish are mouth brooding, these females should be placed in a separate aquarium. In approximately 20-23 days, female fish will release their offspring. Pregnant female fish should be given a small amount of feed.
Caring for Malawi cichlids is an easy and feasible process once learned. Fish farming can be an enjoyable hobby, taking into account the fish's natural behavior and needs.
