Diamond cichlazoma - care and maintenance in the aquarium

Today we will consider diamond cichloma - a mysterious representative of the cichlid family. Many loved fish for external data. Scales shimmer under the lamps, so these aquatic creatures are often found in species aquariums. Fish are suitable for professionals or beginners, because there are no strict requirements for care. The main thing is to gain some theoretical knowledge and begin to practice. We will help you with this.

Description

Diamond cichlomas occupy a leading position among other similar fish from the cichlid family. Fish living in natural conditions can grow up to 35 cm. If we are talking about individuals living in the aquarium, then they reach 15-20 cm. For this reason, fish are classified as medium-sized.

The main characteristics include a strong and elongated case of regular oval shape. The fish is flattened on the sides, the head is large, the frontal part is steep. Eyes are voluminous, lips are condensed and prominent. Thanks to the latter characteristic, fish often dig soil, pluck plants.

The background color may be different depending on the age category, gender and nutritional characteristics of cichloma. Most often, individuals of light gray, brownish and dark colors are found. Against the general background, there is a scattering of spangles of the color emerald, blue, silver.

Gill covers of fish are decorated by analogy with stains. When the individual is in the stage of caring for the offspring, the chest and abdominal area are painted black.

If you notice that a dark spot has appeared in the middle part of the body of the cichlazoma, it means that the fish is angry and is preparing to launch an attack. In cases of unnatural pallor, on the contrary, it is suppressed, in stress. The dorsal fin is long, the tail fin is smooth, with a brilliant edging, black.

Content

1. Aquarium fish are moderately large, they need a spacious dwelling. About 150-200 liters are allocated per individual. water. If you are holding a couple or plan to start it, choose an aquarium with a volume of 400 liters or more. and more. Of course, many aquarists do not spend on such a large dwelling, but cichlazomas like space. Then it will grow, and not stop in development. The larger the aquarium, the larger the fish.
2. Take care of a filter for cleaning, which at the same time will provide the fish with oxygen. Weekly, it is necessary to drain 1/3 to 1/4 of the water, and to add a new one instead. Since the fish leave trash behind during the meal, siphon the bottom or lay the soil in a thick layer. As a litter suitable gravel road or river sand.
3. Plants must be chosen with a powerful root system, because other “weak” versions of the fish will be dug up or torn out. To reduce damage from cichlases, you can plant seedlings in pots and put in an aquarium. Excellent for these purposes are hard-leaved varieties.
4. Little attention is paid to shelters, because diamond representatives of cichlids do not really like to hide. They are better off providing enough space for swimming. As light shelters, you can install driftwood, large pebbles or clay pots.
5. The aquarium is selected strictly with a lid. Despite the fact that the fish most of the time swim at the bottom or in the middle part, with excessive curiosity they can jump out of the water.
6. As for water characteristics, pets are not demanding. The stiffness should be about 9-14 units, the temperature regime should be 23 degrees, and the acid-base balance should be 6.5-8 pH.

Compatibility

1. Despite the fact that diamond cichlomas are large representatives of cichlids, they are relatively calm in relation to other inhabitants. It is allowed to keep medium-sized fish, which are also famous for their goodwill. Small fish up to 3-5 cm are excluded so that cichlazoma does not have a desire to eat them.
2. In fact, the question regarding the livability of diamond representatives is quite controversial. It all depends on the temperament of a particular individual. It is necessary to experiment, once again without risking. One thing needs to be clarified for sure - males are fighting, cichlazomas, constantly fighting for territorial property.
3. Choose the neighborhood taking into account the pedigree temper. Peaceful cichlids are perfect. If you provide all the conditions, a spacious aquarium, regular feeding, then all the fish will exist in comfort. You can hook catfish to these fish, they get along well.

Feeding

1. Diamond cichlomas will eat absolutely everything that you can offer them. Such fish are omnivores. They are not picky about food. In wild habitats, representatives of this species feed on all kinds of insect larvae, plants, mollusks and fry of other fish.
2. Maintenance at home offers to give tubichoids and bloodworms to cichlids. More adult individuals are encouraged to present gammarus. Such food is allowed to be given in fresh frozen or live form.
3. It is recommended that the diet be diluted regularly with various balanced feeds intended for cichlids. Diamond cichlazomas coexist without problems only with bottom catfish.

Breeding

1. In aquarium conditions, the reproduction of cichlids is not difficult. You will not need to take any complex actions. Representatives of this species reach puberty in 10-15 months. It is quite easy to distinguish between a female and a male.
2. Strong representatives of cichlids are much larger and have a brighter color. In males, fins are elongated and long. Females, on the contrary, have more rounded fins. In males, pronounced fat corns (convex tubercle) are observed.
3. Also, in the mating season, the male exudes a sharp anal fin. In females, on the contrary, you can notice the anal ovipositor in the form of a truncated pyramid. Spawning can take place in a completely natural way; no intervention is required on your part.
4. The only thing you can do to speed up the spawning process is to raise the temperature in the aquarium to a comfortable 28 degrees. At the same time, do not forget to change the water twice a week. The female can spawn all year round. Moreover, the frequency will be only 2 months.
5. A couple can be left in a common aquarium or transplanted into a special tank for spawning. In this case, the volume of the second aquarium should not be 150 liters. If you want to keep the maximum number of offspring, keep a couple should still be separate.
6. It should be understood that frequent spawning reduces the number of eggs each time. Therefore, the female will be able to give a maximum of 200 eggs at a time. That is why it is recommended that fish are sometimes separated to make seasonal breaks.

Diamond representatives of cichlids have a beautiful appearance and a peculiar character. Before starting such fish, be sure to study all the subtleties of care and maintenance. Get a large aquarium and decorate it according to all the rules. Fish should be as comfortable as possible.

Video: aquarium fish diamond cichlazoma