Are Jewel Cichlids From Lake Malawi
Jewel cichlids, also known as mbuna, are a group of popular African cichlid species native to Lake Malawi, a large African Rift Lake. The lake is home to over 1000 species of fish, including the jewel cichlids, which are highly sought after among aquarium hobbyists. Jewel cichlids are characterized by their vibrant colors and patterned shapes, making them an attractive addition to any fish tank. For aquarists, the jewel cichlids offer an exciting and rewarding challenge. They can be quite finicky, exhibiting signs of stress if their water is not kept at ideal levels for their species. As such, taking the time to properly research and understand the environment and diet of the jewel cichlid is a must for any successful aquarium hobbyist.
The jewel cichlid is a freshwater fish from the Cichlidae family and is native only to the freshwater lake, Lake Malawi. This lake, located in East Africa, is the world’s 9th largest lake, stretching 350 miles long and up to 50 miles wide at its widest point. It is an ancient lake, estimated to be approximately 8 million years old. Inscriptions show that the lake was already populated with a number of fish species in ancient Egyptian times. This lake is also one of the deepest lakes in Africa, reaching depths of up to 700 feet.
Lake Malawi is home to more species of cichlids than any other freshwater body of water in the world. Jewel cichlids, like other cichlid species, are highly adapted to their tropical environment, tolerating a wide range of temperatures. Their natural diet consists mainly of algae, supplemented by various invertebrates and smaller vertebrates. Jewel cichlids are highly territorial and aggressive, which requires the aquarium hobbyist to provide plenty of hiding places and rocks to help disperse territorial disputes among the fish.
Jewel cichlids are generally easy to feed and require a combination of a high-quality flake food, as well as frozen seafood, worms and/or brine shrimp. When keeping these fish, it is important to provide regular water changes as they tend to produce a lot of waste. Maintaining proper water parameters is also necessary for successful care; most jewel cichlids prefer water with a pH ranging from 7.2 -8.4, with the alkalinity and hardness ranging from 5-10 dKH and 10-20 dGH, respectively.
Jewel cichlids are a hardy, yet colorful species that thrive in an aquarium environment. Their bright colors, playful nature and ease of care make them an ideal choice for the novice aquarist. With proper research and tank maintenance, the aquarium hobbyist should have no problem keeping these beautiful fish in their home aquarium.
Caring For Jewel Cichlids
Jewel cichlids require regular care in order to maintain their vibrant colors and optimal health. To begin with, the aquarium hobbyist should set up the aquarium at the correct parameters that the jewel cichlids require. The pH of the water should be tested to ensure that it is within the correct range, and the water should be monitored on a regular basis in order to maintain the optimal water parameters. Additionally, the aquarium should be properly filtered and the filter should be routinely cleaned in order to ensure good water quality.
The aquarium should be outfitted with plenty of hiding places and rocks, as the jewel cichlids are highly territorial and aggressive. Additionally, the aquarist should provide ample lighting to help maintain the jewel cichlids’ colors and provide enough space for the fish to move around freely. Jewel cichlids also require a healthy, varied diet – a combination of high-quality flake food, as well as frozen seafood, worms and/or brine shrimp. It should also be noted that the aquarist should limit any live plants in the aquarium, as these fish are known to dig and root around, possibly uprooting the plants in the process.
Breeding Jewel Cichlids
As with other cichlids, the jewel cichlid males are larger than the females and also exhibit much brighter colors. During the mating process, the male and female jewel cichlid will form a pair and construct a small bowl-shaped nest in an area of the aquarium that is away from the other fish. The female will then deposit eggs in the nest, which the male will then begin to guard and fan with his fins.
The female will lay anywhere from 25 – 100 eggs in one spawning, depending on her size, age and health. After the eggs are laid, the male will aggressively defend the territory and will often chase off the female and other similarly colored jewel cichlids. When the eggs hatch, the male will continue to protect the fry, fanning them with his fins to ensure a steady flow of oxygenated water.
The newly hatched fry are highly resilient, although will require small amounts of live or frozen food in order to grow and develop. To help keep the fry safe, it is recommended to remove the breeding pair once the fry become free-swimming. The fry are then ready to be separated into a separate aquarium and begin the next stage of their life.
Cultivation of Jewel Cichlids
Wild caught jewel cichlids still make up the bulk of the jewel cichlid population. However, recently, there has been an increase in the number of fish being bred in captivity. Captive bred fish can be less costly and are generally healthier than their wild counterparts due to the absence of parasites and disease. In addition, captive bred fish can also be better acclimated to an aquarium environment, making them an ideal choice for the hobbyist.
The life span of the jewel cichlid can vary depending on the individual fish and their environment. Generally, the expected life span is approximately 7-10 years, although some fish can live up to 12 years or longer with proper care and maintenance. Jewel cichlids can also be trained to respond to their owner’s voice or hand gestures and can be quite the charismatic fish in the home aquarium.
Types of Jewel Cichlids
Jewel cichlids come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. A few of the most popular varieties are the Electric Yellow Cichlids, the Metriaclima Zebra, the Red Zebra and the Firecracker. The Electric Yellow Cichlids are characterized by their bright yellow color and black stripes. Metriaclima Zebra is one of the most popular services due to its striking blue and black patterned stripes. The Red Zebra is a variant of the Metriaclima Zebra, but with a red and black stripped pattern.
The Firecracker Cichlid is a very unique jewel cichlid that is characterized by its blue and red striped body. This fish is known to be very active, and needs plenty of hiding places or rocks to help disperse territorial disputes. lastly, there’s the Lake Malawi Butterfly Cichlid, an attractive fish with a blue and white body and yellow fins. This particular species is relatively peaceful, making it an ideal choice for the novice aquarist.
Disease in Jewel Cichlids
Like all fish, jewel cichlids are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Common ailments include bacterial infections, fungal infections, ick, velvet, fin rot and hole-in-the-head disease. Bacterial and fungal infections can often be treated with antibiotics and antifungal medications, respectively. Ick, velvet and hole-in-the-head can be prevented by maintaining proper water parameters and providing a healthy, balanced diet to the fish.
It is important to note that any new fish should be quarantined for at least two weeks in order to observe for any signs of diseases or parasites. If any abnormalities are observed, the fish should be treated with the appropriate medication to prevent the spread of the disease or infection to other fish in the aquarium. If you treat your fish with the utmost care, your jewel cichlid should have a long and healthy life.
Compatibility of Jewel Cichlids
In aquariums, it is important to consider compatibility when selecting tankmates for your fish. Jewel cichlids are mostly peaceful fish and will do better when kept with non-aggressive tankmates such as plecos, Corydoras or bottom dwellers. It is important to avoid any tankmates that may be aggressive and territorial, as this can lead to stress and aggression amongst the jewel cichlids.
It is also recommended to avoid any brightly colored fish as jewel cichlids, like many other cichlid species, can become overly aggressive when kept in bright colors. Additionally, jewel cichlids should not be kept with any fish that can fit in their mouths, as they can become aggressive towards these smaller fish.
When selecting tankmates for the jewel cichlid, the aquarium hobbyist should ensure that all the fish have the same requirements in terms of water parameters, diet and temperature. This will help ensure that the fish can cohabitate peacefully, providing the aquarist with a stunning display of different colour and shapes in the aquarium.
