How to raise Sanhu cichlids
Three-lake cichlids are freshwater ornamental fish from the three largest lakes in Africa (Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Victoria). They are loved by aquarists for their bright colors and lively personalities. This article will combine the popular fish farming topics on the Internet in the past 10 days and introduce in detail the raising techniques of Sanhu cichlids from aspects such as water quality, feed, and polyculture.
1. Basic introduction to Sanhu Cichlids
Three Lakes cichlids are mainly divided into three categories: Lake Malawi cichlids, Lake Tanganyika cichlids and Lake Victoria cichlids. They have high requirements for water quality and breeding environment, and are suitable for aquarists with certain experience.
| Kind | Features | Suitable water temperature | pH range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Malawi cichlids | Bright colors, gentle personality | 24-28℃ | 7.8-8.6 |
| Lake Tanganyika cichlids | Slender body and strong territorial awareness | 24-26℃ | 7.8-9.0 |
| Lake Victoria cichlids | Strong adaptability and changeable colors | 23-28℃ | 7.2-8.5 |
2. Feeding environment settings
1.Fish tank selection: It is recommended to use a fish tank with a length of at least 60 cm and a water volume of no less than 100 liters. Three-lake cichlids like to swim and need plenty of space.
2.water quality management: Sanhu cichlids are very sensitive to water quality and need to maintain stable water quality. It is recommended to change 1/3 of the water every week, use RO water or add water quality conditioner.
| water quality parameters | ideal range | Measurement frequency |
|---|---|---|
| pH value | 7.5-8.5 | 1 time a week |
| Hardness(dGH) | 8-20 | 1 time per month |
| Ammonia nitrogen content | 0mg/L | 1 time a week |
| nitrite | 0mg/L | 1 time a week |
3.Landscaping layout: Three-lake cichlids like rocky environments and can arrange rocks and caves in the fish tank. Avoid using sharp decorations to avoid scratching the fish.
3. Feed selection and feeding
1.Feed type: Sanhu cichlids are omnivorous fish and can be fed artificial feed, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc. Special cichlid feed is recommended as the main diet.
| Feed type | Feeding frequency | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| pellet feed | 1-2 times a day | Choose sinking feed |
| Frozen bloodworms | 2-3 times a week | Need to be fed after thawing |
| brine shrimp | 1-2 times a week | Available alive or frozen |
| vegetables | 1 time a week | Such as spinach, peas |
2.Feeding Tips: Each feeding should be finished within 3-5 minutes to avoid remaining feed from contaminating the water quality. Young fish can increase the feeding frequency appropriately.
4. Precautions for mixed culture
1.polyculture principle: Sanhu cichlids have a strong sense of territory, so attention should be paid to body size matching and space allocation when mixed. It is recommended to choose cichlids from the same lake area as mixed culture.
2.Recommended mixed breeds:
| Lake District | Varieties that can be mixed | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Malawi | african prince, snow snapper | Avoid mixing with small fish |
| lake tanganyika | Pearl tiger, blue sword shark | Provide adequate shelter |
| lake victoria | red-backed angel, zebra cichlid | Pay attention to the fighting situation |
3.Not recommended for mixed breeding: Small phoenix fish, guppies and other species that are easily attacked by Sanhu cichlids.
5. Prevention and treatment of common diseases
1.common diseases: White spot disease, ascites disease, and gill disease are common diseases in Sanhu cichlids.
| Disease name | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| white spot disease | white spots on body surface | Raise the temperature to 30℃, use white point cleaner |
| Ascites | abdominal swelling | Isolation and treatment with antibiotics |
| Gill disease | gill cover open | Improve water quality, use fungicides |
2.Precautions: Maintain stable water quality, avoid overfeeding, and quarantine new fish before entering the tank.
6. Breeding skills
1.Preparation for breeding: Mature Sanhu cichlids will naturally pair up, and it is recommended to provide flat rocks or clay pots as spawning sites.
2.reproduction process: The female fish will hold the eggs in her mouth to hatch them and should not be fed during this period. After the young fish swim out, they can be fed with newly hatched brine shrimp.
| breeding stage | time | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| lay eggs | 1-2 hours | Keep the environment quiet |
| hatch | 3-4 weeks | Female fish not eating |
| Juvenile fish stage | 2-3 months | Need to be kept alone |
Conclusion
Raising Sanhu cichlids requires patience and care, but with the right methods, you can appreciate the unique charm of these beautiful fish. It is recommended that novices start with the milder Lake Malawi cichlids and gain experience before trying other species. Only by regularly observing the status of the fish and adjusting the feeding strategy in a timely manner can you raise healthy and colorful Sanhu cichlids.
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