"Most of the American cichlids are medium and large cichlids, and because of their plump size and bright color, they set off a wave in the aquarium market in Taiwan in the early days..."
01
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<h3 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > overview of American cichlids</h3>
American cichlid is mostly medium and large cichlid, due to its plump body, bright color, early in Taiwan's aquarium market set off a wave of wind, when many American cichlid belongs to the high unit price of high-grade fish species, for example, in the fifties and sixties, the value of the flower pig can be compared with the later red dragon, the price and status of the high can be seen. At that time, people who did not have a certain economic strength could only look at the fish and sigh from the sidelines. Other American cichlids such as golden pineapple, crown three rooms, black clouds, colorful blue fire mouths, red pearl guan knives, thrushes and other American cichlids have also left brilliant records in the aquarium market.
Although, with the rapid changes in the consumer market, the scenery of South American cichlids is no longer what it was in the past, and the price and sales volume have also stabilized. But its unique charm still makes fans fascinated, so there is still a group of loyal players, enthusiastic and continue to breed this kind of cichlid. Of course, among the new generation of aquatic players, there is no shortage of people who prefer the unique posture of South American cichlids.
In fact, no matter how the market changes, it is undeniable that the unique characteristics of the fish itself have never changed, and what is constantly changing is the direction of the market and people's preferences. Many aquatic Cenozoics have not yet been exposed to such large fish, and in fact the American cichlid is very strong and well-bred, and can be raised in bare tanks or with stronger aquatic plants. Compared with the delicacy of the small fish tank, it is more of a rugged personality beauty. With the strong strength of the South American cichlid, the situation that has once again triggered the epidemic trend should be just around the corner. It is believed that in the near future, such medium-sized and large-scale South American cichlids will surely be able to show their strength in the aquarium market.
At present, the most common Fish of the Cichlid family in the aquarium world is the Blood Parrot. The blood parrot is a new species of cichlid selected and bred by Taiwan, which appeared in the aquarium circle of Taiwan many years ago, and after 2 to 3 years of research and mass production, it has now replaced the golden pineapple and the immortal, becoming the most common American cichlid fish in Taiwan. In addition to the breeding of two different kinds of parents, there are many different forms of offspring (body length and body height ratio from 2. 2 to 1. 0 Both; the degree of change in the anterior back bulge and mouth shape varies). Under the genetic mutation or artificial "carving", different body colors and body shapes also came into being. For example, the tailless blood parrot, the one-horned blood parrot and the purple parrot, commonly known as "one heart", are typical examples.
02
<h3 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > species of American cichlid</h3>
Atlas of the American cichlid
The Cichlid of Central and South America spread south from the Isthmus of Central and South America to the south of the Amazon Basin, and can be found in river basins from subtropical rainforests to equatorial rainforests. Due to the vast extent of the watershed, the ecological environment contained in it has also varied. The fish can be found on sandy or muddy river floors, in rivers where water flows and gentle dryness are mixed.
Dimensions: 150 X 40 X 70
According to the natural ecological environment survey data in the wild, the Cichlids growing in the native areas prefer to have shade, gentle water flow and weak acidic water quality (PH value is in 5. 5～6． 5 between the range of waters. In general, these fish live in the middle and bottom layers of the water layer (especially the bottom layer).
Golden pineapple
American cichlids are not very suitable for living with plants in aquariums (the digging ability of these fish will make aquatic plants have no place!). Therefore, the aquarium landscape environment built by sunken wood, rocks or wood fossils can effectively create a space suitable for the life of Cichlids in Central and South America in the huge water tank.
Black pineapple
Cichlids living in Central and South America are groups of plump, varied and colorful bodies. Gentle temperament – e.g. Pterophyllnm scalare; Angle fish); there are quite ferocious ones – such as the Red Devil (Cichlasoma Citrinellum); managuense; freshwater groupers); some swim fairly quickly and lively – e.g. red pearls (Geophagus surinamensis);
Emerald green pineapple
Others are gentle and graceful – such as Symphysodon aequifasciatus (Discus) are quite large, such as adult fish that can reach more than 50 cm crown three (Cichla ocellaris; Eyespot cichlid); some are smaller, such as the Aequidens curviceps, which are species commonly found in this watershed.
Wutoma blue-faced pineapple
Cichlids in Central and South America have been introduced for quite some time! Today, with the exception of some species that reproduce because of new introductions or the need for support from the "new blood" of origin, the vast majority of cichlids are natively bred. Combined with the production of African cichlid, it became the largest number of ornamental fish exported. In addition to some of the species mentioned earlier, there are still many varieties that are favored by enthusiasts and often appear in aquariums (crates).
Red-shouldered green pineapple
For example: immortals (various strains of immortals), golden pineapple (Cichlasoma severum Golden), flower pig (Astronotusocellatus), black cloud (Uaru amphiacanthoides), pearl fire mouth (Cichlasomanicaraguense), Guan Dao sapphire (Geophagus jurupari), red-bellied fire mouth (Cichlasoma meeki), nine pineapples (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum);
Indian red-bellied pineapple
There are also factors such as delicious meat and rapid growth, which are converted to meat edible economic fish, the most typical of which is the patterned leopard. In addition, there are fish species that have become the "oldest man" in Taiwan's aquarium circle because of breeding needs, and under the premise that the mother is expensive, the value of fish has risen again, the most obvious example is to breed the blood parrot (Cichlasoma citrimellum×C. synspilum; Red-parrot fish) needs the broodstock – red devils and purple fire mouths.
Black clouds
Blue and black clouds
Second-line black clouds
Gold second line
Pearl off knife
Redhead shut-off knife
Colorful guan knife
Off knife sapphire
Yellow pearl gemstones
sapphire
Three gems
Four gems
Shengu Gemstones
Blue lip gemstones
Bull's head
thrush
Lion King
monk
Fan Wang
03
<h3 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > cichlid polyculture experience</h3>
The so-called medium and large seabream is mainly the Chinese and American cichlid, which is characterized by being extremely aggressive and vicious. Aggressive and not afraid, afraid of too fierce, encounter too fierce fish, undead fish, has become the most basic goal, my post today is to summarize some of the polyculture experience of undead fish.
<h4 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" ></h4>
In fact, the soil is at best a medium-sized seabream, and most of the personalities are docile, even if there are individual territorial awareness, it will not hurt the fish life, so the problem of polyculture between the soil is not within the scope of today's discussion, I myself have little experience, no right to speak.
But other fish mixed with soil, the problem comes, I have kept the longest time to eat soil, is the sapphire knife that broke into the tank, this fish, experienced a difficult journey from the tank to the weakest, raised for nearly two years, and finally sent to people after neglecting to take care of death.
In the early days, when other fish were small, it was really proud of the spring breeze, standing in the center of the fish tank, no one dared to approach, it was not majestic, but when the other fish got bigger and bigger, it slowly lost its status, the first time it was hit, it was I invited a 20 cm silver jade into the tank, whether from the combat strength or the degree of mouth, the sapphire off knife and the silver jade were not in a position at all, the same day was stripped of the three fins by the silver jade, I immediately disposed of the silver jade.
After 1-2 months of recovery, it was in good shape again, but during its recovery, both Red Cloud and Green Emerald grew up, and at that time, although it was not bullied, it was no longer able to compete for the position of cylinder overlord. In the end, because it was often chased by red clouds, so that its will was completely destroyed, resulting in the inside of the tank even the pineapple could bite it a few times, I saw that it could not stay in this tank anymore, so I changed it to another tank.
From this experience, it is summarized that the soil can be mixed with slightly more ferocious fish, but it must not be mixed with very fierce, *** or fierce fish. In the process of fish fighting and being beaten, the most important thing that supports the fish is not the physique, but the spirit, once the spirit is destroyed, anyone can bully it, and finally even the pineapple dares to bite it, which is an example. The spirit of the earth-eating seabream is very easy to destroy, so be sure to avoid polyculture with these types of fish.
<h4 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > polyculture of genus II.V, genus N, and genus P</h4>
The fish of these three genera are basically the strongest combat strength of the United States seabream, and in the four major powers of the United States seabream, three are from the N genus and the P genus, and most of the fish of the V genus are also acting as killers in all corners of the world, and the polyculture of the fish of these three genera is very difficult, and if you do not pay attention, there will be a bloody case in the tank.
In fact, the fish of these three genera, the safest and most guaranteed fish state of the feeding method, or single breeding, but if raised like luohan, there is no sense of beauty, and like Master Li, a large tank, 1-3 good fish that do not fight, there are several people who have such courage. The most common polyculture is 7-8, a dozen, or even twenty or thirty in a tank ranging from 1.5-2 meters, which requires some aquarists to die out of the experience.
At present, the most common, in fact, the most unwise solution is to increase the density, make the tank into a hot pot tank, weaken the fish's territorial awareness, and thus achieve the purpose of safe polyculture. Why do I say that this is the most unwise solution, because the experience of many aquarists has concluded that this method can only solve the fight in the short term, and occasionally there will be a bloody case, and once the cylinder set changes, or encounters the cylinder bully's illness and the like, more blood cases will erupt, and the pressure of large density feeding, filtration is also very large, and it is more difficult to pass the unexpected situation such as a power outage. In the end, the fish raised at a large density are also in a very general state, so this method is the most unwise.
Among the polyculture methods I have collected and tested, the most reliable at present is the following points, if you can do every point, you can minimize your polyculture loss.
1. Polyculture begins at the fry stage
Fry stage, the fish's territorial awareness can almost be said to be no, even if there is, the required territory is also very small, this period began to polyculture, so that the fish are familiar with each other, after growing up natural fighting less, because even if the same species of fish, there are individual differences, there will also be special and special instigation, the fish grow up in the process, the particularly ferocious and particularly weak pick out, the final stay, is not humble suitable for polyculture fish, this should be noted is that after the fish grow up, try not to add other fish in the tank, It's easy to upset the balance.
2. The cylinder bully tries to pick the docile one
Cichlid polyculture, there will inevitably be a tank bully, this is inevitable, and if you can cultivate a docile, at least not murderous tank bully, then this tank of fish, under its leadership, naturally there will be a lot of peace, this method many aqua friends have tried, as long as the tank bully does not fall, there is no blood case in the tank, I currently have a tank is also the case, the tank bully is an old gold, so although the fish in the tank is individually injured, but never seriously injured, but never out of the fish life.
To cultivate a docile tank bully, first, is to pick the right breed, to have a more docile personality, but also to have a certain temperament, can not be a fish, or too easy to be overthrown by other fish, but also grow fast, but also finally large to ensure that the position of the tank bully can be stabilized. Now the more suitable fish that I know is the old gold, purple red and red clouds, and if it is purple, there will also be individuals in it, and it must be left domineering and not cheap. The second is to cultivate, in fact, it is very simple, let the tank bully enter the tank early, raise a raise first, raise it to be about 1 times larger than the other fish you are ready to add, you can add other fish.
3. The density should not be too large, and the scenery should be exquisite
Fish farming must control the density, otherwise if it is made into a hot pot tank, even if the fish survives, it is in a general state, which is meaningless. Instead of weakening the territorial consciousness, it is better to satisfy its territorial consciousness, for example, 2 meter tank, put more than a dozen or twenty seedlings into it at the beginning, after the accidental death of the breeding process, artificial selection (pick out the particularly fierce and special instigated), and finally leave 7-8 fish, and then divide them into forces with the appropriate set, the well water does not violate the river water, and it is happy and harmonious. The set must give the fish a place to hide, no matter how peaceful the cichlid is, the fight is inevitable, in order not to rise into a bloody case, only for the loser to prepare a hiding place.
There must also be open land, and this open land is the place where we watch and feed, and it is also the territory of the tank bully. If the tank is particularly large, the open land can be divided into several parts, cultivating two hegemons and three hegemons, and the state of the fish is also guaranteed, and the safety of the fish is also guaranteed to the greatest extent. The set must be done in one go, once the balance has been formed in the fish tank, try not to move in the future, otherwise changing the set may be the prelude to the dead fish, but if your weak fish have no place to hide, it is best to change the set to create a hiding space for the weak fish.
4. Fish of the same genus should try not to polyculture with too much temper gap
The fish of these three genera, the same genus of fighting is very serious, if you mix the same genus but the temper gap is very large fish, the final weak only one dead end, such as green emerald, purple coat, these two kinds of V genus in the fish, if mixed with a V genus of powerful fish, such as Skynet, it is difficult to escape a death, there are two exceptions:
1) Your fish is a special individual, very fierce, then you are blessed, fierce fish, no matter how fierce it is, it can reach the level of ordinary fierce fish, and your fish is suitable for polyculture with ordinary fierce fish.
2) Your strong fish is more intimidating among the bad fish, and there are three-point nails in the broken boat, a docile and fierce fish, which is very rare and is also a suitable fish choice for polyculture.
The same genus of particularly temperamental fish, it is best to have only one, otherwise two males will fight each other, there will be a death. For example, raising four **** together, some aquarists have tried this, and in the end what is left is the lesson of blood.
In the V genus, as long as you don't pick a particularly lowly one, you can generally successfully mix. In the genus N and P, four ** is the best not to be polycultured unless you meet a docile individual. Other P-species fish are ok.
5. Do not have female fish, and single-raised fish
Do not have a female fish, many aquarists understand this, in order not to let the male fish in the tank in heat, so as to reduce the occurrence of blood.
Single-raised fish, unless it is a docile breed like green emerald, the other is not suitable for polyculture, single-raised fish, temper is 2-3 times that of polyculture fish, the probability of no blood case in the tank is very low, so aquarists should be very cautious when entering Yacheng and adult fish, and must understand the previous feeding process of fish.
PS: The Four Powers refer to: Dao's Fire Mouth, Haitian Savage, Blue Overlord, Blue Fire Mouth
The experience that can be thought of now is probably so much, the code word is really quite big, if I think of anything else in the future, I will add it.
04
Rearing management of the American cichlid
Cichlids growing in Central and South America differ greatly from cichlids living in Africa in environmental conditions. The annual water quality conditions of African cichlids vary greatly, and the acid alkali value is lower than 5. 0 to 8 near the estuary. 5; hardness from soft water below 50 ppm above 1000 ppm (some cichlids will have a behavior similar to the return to the sea, swimming between estuarine and pure freshwater water basins); water clarity from fairly clear water quality to turbid water with a transparency of less than 10 cm, the corresponding species can be found living in it. Most of the African cichlids live in large African lakes (such as Lake Victoria, Lake Tankan-Iqa and Lake Malawi) as their main living area, and most of them live in water with high alkalinity and small water quality changes.
But the cichlid is a fairly evolved fish because of its high degree of regulation and adaptability, and in addition to some of the more extreme water quality and the need to produce and breed, for different water quality from north to south in Taiwan, the American cichlid is too slippery in adaptation.
The feeding management of American cichlids in aquariums can be divided into several more focal points: (1) water quality management; (2) water flow and habitat; (3) polyculture and landscaping; and (4) feed and bait. The following is a description of these points one by one:
<h5 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > water quality management</h5>
In terms of water quality management issues, these adaptable fish are not difficult to control, even the "legendary" rather difficult to raise colorful angelfish (Discus), which includes this premise.
In addition to the bare tank, it is still recommended to control the water quality acidity (PH) of feeding Central and South American cichlids in the acidic range, select stone that can release acidic substances as the bottom sand, with the decoration of Shen Wood, so that the fish raised in it have better adaptability, so "Xi Sand" is the most convenient to obtain and the most economical, of course, some larger particles of aquatic grass sand is also a good choice.
As for the coral sand shell sand commonly used in the breeding of African cichlid fish, here it is "thank you insensitive". Because, when the acid alkali value in the water is adjusted to the alkalinity range, the fish body will not be able to show the original colorful color and become dull, and often cause the health and resistance of the fish to drop to a low level.
In addition, maintaining the normal function of the filter, frequently replacing the filter media in it, reducing the concentration of harmful wholes in the water, for example: Ammonia-ni-trogen complex, hydrogen sulfide, etc. are all special attention needed when managing the aquarium. In addition, in the central to northern regions of Taiwan, it is necessary to add enough energy heating equipment to the aquarium in winter to maintain the temperature required for the normal physiological operation of the fish and reduce the pathology and discomfort produced by temperature changes. Remember, these cichlids, native to the waters of Central and South America, are authentic "tropical fish"!
<h5 class="pgc-h-arrow-right">
</h5>
<h5 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > water flow and habitat</h5>
Maintaining a proper water flow in the aquarium can promote the even distribution of oxygen and substances on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can concentrate the biological metabolic waste in the aquarium by driving the water flow. The most important thing is that there is a water flowing in the aquarium, the aquarium will be more lively, and the creatures living in it will have more fun (of course, it is impossible to "know exactly" whether the fish will have more fun because of the flow, but it is clear that there will be a lot of trivial activity behaviors when seeing the fish, and these behaviors are often accompanied by changes in the color of the group, which is a manifestation of "fish pleasure").
<h5 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > polyculture and landscaping</h5>
Cichlids in Central and South America are quite a "headache" in polyculture! Many fish that appear to be quite docile and easily group together at the juvenile stage will change considerably in body size once they have grown. For example: Cichlasoma nicaraguense and Cichlasoma synspilum; Geophagus surinamensis and sapphire (G. jurupari）。 Although it is possible that they will get along peacefully in the juvenile stage, they can still live peacefully when they grow into adults with a considerable difference in size. However, once the mating period is entered, there will be a scramble for territory for the sake of succession, and it is common for soldiers to meet each other, and it is not uncommon to fight with their lives. Recognize the fish species raised, consider the growing space and the problems faced by polyculture, so that after a period of time, the tragic situation of fish fighting will not occur and the fish in the aquarium will become rarer and rarer!
On the other hand, these guys seem to have a "vendetta" with plants, and will instinctively dig desperately in the aquarium (the main reason is also to pass on the file). Plants planted in aquariums often do not survive. Therefore, cultivating plants in the aquarium for the American cichlid is nothing more than asking for trouble! If you still want to plant aquatic weeds to increase the beauty and change in the aquarium, you can choose stronger aquatic weeds such as figs, and fix the roots as much as possible to protect them.
In addition, in order to meet these energetic little lives, in addition to the need for the aquarium to be covered with bottom sand for their unscrupulous digging and pleasure, it can also imitate the Aquatic Aquarium of the African Cichlid stacked with large rocks, and these stacked "areas" can divide the aquarium into several fields, and when polyculturing cichlids, it is easy to satisfy the field instincts of many "fish families" and reduce the chance of fish fighting.
<h5 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > feed and bait</h5>
Cichlids, Which live in aquariums, are readily acceptable for granular or flaky feed. Since most of these cichlids in nature are "omnivorous and prefer meat", it is more appropriate to choose a feed with a protein content of between 28 and 35% in addition to the feed for cichlids. On the other hand, the selection of granules suitable for the "mouth size" of the fish, fresh and complete packaging and proper preservation of feed during use are some details worth noting.
As for the fresh food, it will be quite helpful for color and reproductive physiology. However, it is more difficult to obtain and preserve, unless there is a fairly good solution to these two problems, it is recommended to use feed appropriately. As for nutrition, the balance that live bait can provide is not necessarily better than feed! But there is an excellent appetite, and the choice between the two is still determined by the "convenience" and "intention" of the feeder!
Finally, I wish the aquarists amiables acacias that the fish tanks can be harmonious and beautiful, and the fish of the aquarists are healthy and healthy.
Reference: Evil sea flowers, playthings lost their minds, Ou Huang is here, ornamental fish world
<h3 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > fish hydrosphere| more wonderful reviews</h3>
Introduction to the encyclopedia and common varieties of soil seabream
https://www.aquau.cn/article/1565856486465
Map fish (Oscar. Flower Pig)
https://www.aquau.cn/article/1584339744218
Legendary Luo Han Fish!
https://www.aquau.cn/article/1585625578915