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Malawian cichlids: peculiarities of content, breeding

The Malawian cichlids are named by their name to Lake Malawi, located in East Africa. According to various sources, from 500 to 1,000 different species of fish live in its interior , the largest number of which are cichlids. Attracts aquarium lovers in these fish bright outward appearance, as well as a feature of behavior.

Cichlids: description

In appearance, these underwater inhabitants are very diverse. The body of them can have an extended torpedo shape, as, for example, in predators - African lepidiolamprogusses and American krenitsichl. But the northums, scalyarias and discus are distinguished by high and flattened bodies. They live in water reservoirs with a sufficient number of plants among clusters of branches and coastal plexus roots.

They are helped to hide by their separating color - vertical black strips reproducing the change of shadow and light. But the colorful, conspicuous color of certain African cichlids, enables them to notice and recognize from afar the enemy - a male of their breed or a female (the tone of both individuals is quite different).

With the excitement, most varieties of fish can almost instantly change the shade: it becomes beautiful, contrasting, spots and streaks appear. The same is observed during spawning: the green nannakar females are colored with a patterned black color with a chess ornament, and the females of some apistograms take on an expressive yellow color.

What are the breeds

Types of Malachian cichlids are very diverse and they are divided into two groups: mbuna and utaka.

The first category includes samples that select coastal areas. They feed on small invertebrates, but the main part of the diet is algae. Pisces have a rather unusual form of mouth, which they specially use to easily rip algal layers from the stones. But if the cichlid diet is the main animal food, then this can lead to obesity or lead to a loss of ability to reproduce.

Fish of the second type are larger. They can reach a length of 17-20 cm. They prefer more spacious areas for intensified hunting. To swimming, уtaki are much better adapted than membuns. The tone of the females is unattractive and not striking, usually gray shades and small transverse lines. Malavian cichlids feed on 80% of food of animal origin.

Melanochromis Auratus

It is considered the most popular species in the lake of Malawi. It spreads everywhere and does not have richly developed color variants. In nature, does not exceed a size of more than 10 cm. The color of females and males varies considerably. The males are almost black with a gently pink longitudinal strip that extends the length of the body from the tail to the head. In females on an amber-yellow color there are two diametrical lines: one in the middle of the trunk, and the other in the superficial part of the body. Fish eat everything, but during feeding, more attention should be paid to plant foods, since animals are prone to protein intoxication due to overeating of animal food.

Melanchohromis Johanna

These are the most popular aquarium cichlids, which stand out in a fantastically elegant yellow-orange hue. Males with the advent of puberty completely change their tone, becoming blue-black with two expressive azure stripes along the trunk. Males are slightly more voluminous than females and differ with more developed spots, similar to eggs in the anal fin zone. Their dimensions in the natural environment do not exceed 8 cm.

Aulonocara Maleri

Among fans from all over the world, such cichlids have several names - "Orange Aulonkara", "Yellow Peacock" or "Sun Bird". Fishes are found on the islands of Namalendzhi, Maleri, Chidung and many others. Males are small, up to 9.5 cm. The size of "giants" can reach up to 13 cm, but they form a small natural population. Female gray, characteristic for all Aulonocar color, 3-4 cm less than males.

Haplochromis Borlya

Malawi cichlids of this variety are widely recognized as the most luxurious fish. Individuals distinguish the orange-red color of the body behind the gill covers. Males outside the stage of spawning activity are covered with 3 oval dark spots on the trunk, which are placed diagonally. Haplochromis grow to 15 cm, the female is slightly smaller.

Malawian cichlids: content

For their existence it is desirable to have an aquarium with a minimum volume of 150 liters, so that animals feel comfort in their home. The water must be clean and transparent. Aquarium inhabitants require every week to change 30% of the amount of water, since they are extremely sensitive to the change in its magnitude. And it will be more correct to defend water in advance. Strong aeration and filtration are mandatory. The best water temperature is 23-25 degrees. The total hardness is 4-8 degrees, and the pH level is 8-8.5.

The relief involves a large number of shelters, for example, shells. Also cichlids aquarium love to dig in the ground (it should be not very low, but not too large). Therefore, with the use of algae in an aquarium, you need to worry about having them with a powerful root system, or you can simply overlay them with pebbles.

Nutrition of fish will also not be difficult: they eat frozen, live and dry food for the Malachian cichlids.

How to breed fish

Many varieties of this breed are not monogamous, they do not have permanent partners, and the male can spawn with various females. But some individuals, on the contrary, find a couple for themselves and always spawn together in the future.

Breed fish, laying eggs in holes dug in the soil, plants or stones. The peculiarity of the same cichlid breeding is their peculiarity in bearing eggs (sometimes fry) in the mouth. This method leads to the fact that most of the females are unable to refrain from eating in aquarium conditions, and they swallow or spit out eggs. However, many of them exhaust themselves by exhaustion, but still create offspring.

It is possible to determine whether the Malavian cichlids are suitable for breeding, by the presence of 2-3 mm of anal hump, which in the female, ready for spawning, in the form of a truncated cone, and in the male - pointed. The female lays 3 to 8 eggs at a time, while the male instantly fertilizes them. The total number of eggs in a variety of varieties varies. Usually fry are released after 2-4 days.

Watch for caviar, as well as fry, can both the female and the male together. There were cases when young parents ate the first clutch of caviar.

By and large, it can be noted that the breeding of such extraordinarily beautiful underwater creatures is a rather complicated process, and not even for all aquarists. But still you can try to try your luck in the reproduction of these wonderful fish.

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