Cichlids are not perch.
In aquaristics, the term perch is often used when cichlids are actually meant. However, bass and cichlids are two completely different families of fish. You can e.g. B. not be crossed with each other.
Perch – Percidae:
- Have four nostrils
- The dorsal fin is usually divided into two.
- Do not have highly specialized grooming behaviors. The local river perch lays z. B. from its balls in strings.
- Perch inhabit the northern hemisphere.
Cichlids – Cichlidae:
- Possess two nostrils
- The dorsal fin is not divided in two.
- Have a highly specialized breeding and maintenance behavior. There is e.g. B. ovophilic and larvophilic mouthbrooders.
- Cichlids inhabit the southern hemisphere.
The term perch encompasses many different species of fish. Blue gouramis and mosaic gouramis count e.g. B. also to the perch-types.
There are over 3000 species of perch and around 1200 species of cichlids. These include such diverse fish as barracudas, ice fish and South American dwarf cichlids.
These fish have completely different requirements and cannot be kept together in one aquarium.
When perches are mentioned in aquaristics, cichlids or cichlids are usually meant.
A very rough distinction can be made between:
- Cichlids from the African lakes. They sometimes like hard water and often dig up or eat plants.
- African cichlids living in different biotopes. They usually prefer soft, slightly acidic water.
- American cichlids. They often require soft, acidic, or neutral water.
Cichlids come in all different sizes. Some species enjoy digging in the ground, digging up plants. Some species like to eat plants. Especially among the African species there are pronounced burrowers and herbivores. However, it depends on the species, the plants and possibly also on the feeding.
The socialization of cichlids
Even among the cichlids, socialization is sometimes difficult. Animals that occur together in nature can be socialized well from an ecological point of view. As long as one species does not feed on the other species, socialization is possible.
Therefore, the typical mistake must not be made that any «perch» are kept together in an aquarium because of the common name perch or cichlid.
Animals from different areas of origin have different requirements when it comes to tank equipment and water quality. Animals that are not found in the same bodies of water often do not get along, e.g. B does not understand the threat of the other kind. This is how conflicts and quarrels arise, which one species usually does not survive.
Which cichlids are suitable for beginners?
Recommended for beginners are medium-sized, rather robust species that forgive mistakes in care.
Cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika should not be socialized in an aquarium. The Mbuna cichlids from Lake Malawi are particularly suitable. They feed by scraping algae off rocks. Typical representatives are Pseudotropheus, Labidochromis, etc. These fish need caves and like high stone structures in the aquarium.
Perforated lime bricks are often recommended. These make the water hard and alkaline, just like the animals like it. Good experiences have also been made with green slate, clay slate and sandstone.
Animals like the Princess of Burundi or Tropheus species come from Lake Tanganyika. Tropheus are less suitable for beginners because a larger group of about 10 animals should be kept. 10 animals are relatively expensive. In addition, Tropheus species show a stronger intraspecific aggressiveness than most other cichlids. A larger aquarium is therefore required.
Tropheus species are also absolute food specialists. In nature, they feed on growth and the microorganisms in it.
The smaller species of the genera Julidochromis and Neolamprologus are recommended for beginners.
South American dwarf cichlids can usually be socialized well with barbel, tetras or armored catfish. Cichlids from the African Rift Lakes cannot be kept together with these species. With other cichlids, the possibilities for socialization must be clarified in each individual case.
Soft water – 260 liter aquarium
Africa:
- Red cichlids. A couple
- King cichlids are hardy and at the same time have interesting behavior. 2 pairs or a group of about 6 animals
South America:
The fish don’t dig too hard. Red cichlids and royal cichlids like shelters that they like to dig up themselves. All species can be kept in planted aquariums because they do not damage at least hardy plants. These species can be maintained up to a water hardness of about 12° dGH.
Harder water – 260 liter aquarium
Because both species eat plants, the aquarium should be set up with some slabs of slate. The panels are placed in such a way that the animals cannot see each other all the time. Large stone walls, as are often used in Tanganyika and Malawiese aquariums, are not necessary. Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum also dig larger plants out of the ground if their roots are not covered with stones. These fish are very reproductive and can completely overpopulate a 260 liter tank in a few months. During the preparation for reproduction, the aggressiveness of a single pair increases to such an extent that it leads to constant pursuit to the last hiding place and to the killing of smaller, often equally large fish, no matter what species. The fish can avoid each other in their biotope, but there is not enough space in the aquarium for this. This can be alleviated by keeping numerous similar animals, but even then a stressful situation remains, as the fish constantly attack each other to defend their territories.