Aquarium Fish Experts fish tanks

Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: Cyphotilapia frontosa, commonly known as the Humphead Cichlid, is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Africa, where it is distributed in the northern part of the lake at depths of up to 50 metres.   

PH: 8.0 – 9.0

Temperature: 24°C – 26°C (75 – 79F)

Hardness: 8 – 12 dH

Description: Cyphotilapia frontosa can reach up to 33 cm in an aquarium, and can live up to 25 years.  This species has 6 – 7 black, vertical bars that run down a white or blue body.  This species is very difficult to sex, although males generally hav ea larger nuchal hump.  As they grow older, this species’ fins get longer and more elaborate. 

Diet: This species will accept all kinds of food.  You can feed the Humphead Cichlid any small fish species, such as krill, shrimp, mysis – even worms.  Do not feed this species flakes; flake is unlikely to do them much good and they will often ignore it as a food source.

Breeding: Cyphotilapia frontosa do not reach sexual maturity for 3 – 4 years, so you will have to be patient if breeding this impressive species.  The sexually active male will turn a shade of blue, particularly in the snout region, and will find an open area to release his milt.  The female, once she has gathered what is going on, will pass over the area and drop an egg.  The male’s milt can fertilise eggs several minutes after it has been released in the tank.  This species’ brood can reach up to 50, sometimes even 80, fry.  The female will hold for up to five weeks, and you should raise the fry separate from the adults.

Comments: You do not need to overly decorate your tank with this species; a few rocks will do the job.  You can use clay pots to create caves and hiding spaces – particularly if you are housing a single Humphead Cichlid.  It is worth adding a sandy substrate to simulate its natural environment.  Given this species’ size, 10 adults should be housed in a tank no less than 125 gallons.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Cyphotilapia frontosa is quite a peaceful, tolerant species, but it should not be housed with small, defenceless fish.  Ideal tank mates may include other large Lake Malawi cichlids and some Synodontis species.

Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: Pterophyllum scalare, sometimes known as Freshwater Angelfish, is a benthopelagic species found in the Amazon River basin, in Peru, Columbia and Brazil, along the Soilimoes, Ucayali and Amazon rivers.  It is also found in Amapa, Brazil; the Essequibo River, Guyana; and the Rio Oyapock in French Guiana.  It is distributed in swampy, flooded grounds – usually in areas of dense vegetation – and in clear waters.

PH: 6.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 24°C – 30C (75 – 86F)

Hardness: 5 – 13 dH

Description: Pterophyllum scalare can reach a maximum length of 8 cm. This species is one of the most popular choices for hobbyists, thanks to its unique, colourful appearance.  The Freshwater Angelfish has very high dorsal and anal fins, and a veil-tail that adds 3 – 4 inches to its width and length.  This species is generally a silver colouration with white and black stripes.  Pterophyllum scalare can live from 8 – 10 years.

Diet: Pterophyllum scalare is quite flexible when it comes to feeding and will accept any flake and pellet foods.  You should offer it granules, tubifex, small worms, tablets, spinach and lettuce to maintain its health.

Breeding: Pterophyllum scalare is an egg-laying species that should be bred in pairs.  Females will lay eggs on a rock – or a plant – and the male will fertilise the eggs.  This will repeat until there are between 100 – 1200 eggs, depending on how healthy the female is.  Both parents will care for the brood; the eggs hatch within a few days and the fry will stay attached to the spawning substrate.  You can feed the fry newly hatched brine shrimp.

Comments: You should tank this species in a tank with a length of 100 cm; a 20 gallon tank may be sufficient.  The Freshwater Angelfish will feel comfortable in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible, so add plenty of plants to your tank and make sure the water isn’t too shallow; this species enjoys a tall aquarium.  Provide rocks for spawning sites.   Pterophyllum scalare is easy to look after and is suitable for newcomers to the hobby.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Pterophyllum scalare will live happily with most large Tetra species. They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Nimbochromis venustus (Giraffe Cichlid)
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Rhamphochromis sp. “Lake Chilengali”
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Aulonocara hansbaenschi (Red Shoulder Peacock Cichlid)
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Neolamprologus tetracanthus (Fourspine Lamprologus)
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Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: The Aulonocara stuartgranti is a Lake Malawian cichlid which is found along the coast between Chizi Point and Ngara.

PH: 7.5 – 8.5

Temperature: 22°C – 26°C (71°F – 79°F)

Hardness: 9 – 12 dH

Description: Aulonocara stuartgranti cichlids can reach up to 12 cm in length and are easily sexed due to the bright blue appearance of the males and the grey of the females.  Male Regal Peacocks have an anti-social temperament.  This species can live for up to 12 years, depending on how it is cared for.

Diet: Aulonocara korneliae requires prepared cichlid foods, vegetable matter and live meats; young fry can be served brine shrimp and powdered flake upon birth.

Breeding: The female Aulonocara korneliae is a mouthbrooding Malawi.  It lays its eggs on a stone and will take them into the mouth soon after.  Allow plenty of hiding spots and caves for effective breeding.  Stress to the female could provoke it to eat its eggs and fry.

Comments: Aulonocara stuartgranti require weekly water changes and are sensitive to nitrate.  Allow plenty of free area for swimming and avoid putting roots in your aquarium as they lower the pH levels.  Provide stone formations so territories and hiding places can be established.  On the whole, the Regal Peacock is an extremely manageable fish and suitable for beginners.

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Recommended Compatible Species: The Blue Peacock can be housed with its own kind, but be wary of housing males in the same tank.  Avoid tanking the Blue Peacock with Mbunas.  Similar sized Utakas, Rainbow fish and Congo Tetras are compatible with the Aulonocara stuartgranti.

Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: Apistogramma velifera is a South American dwarf cichlid, distributed in Venezuela’s Orinoco River system.

PH: 5.5 – 6.5

Temperature: 23°C – 30°C (73°F – 86°F)

Hardness: > 5 dH

Description: There is not much documentation on this species as yet.

Diet: A high quality flake is recommended as part of the Apistogramma velifera’s diet.  Offer blood worms and brine shrimps as an occasional treat.

Breeding: There is not much information available on the breeding habits of Apistogramma velifera.

Comments: Not a great deal is known about this South American cichlid.

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Recommended Compatible Species:
Apistogramma can be great community fish and live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Corydoras Catfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Cichlasoma salvini (Salvin’s Cichlid)
Information will be coming soon

Family: Cichlidae

Distribution: Apistogramma tucurui is a dwarf cichlid found in South America, specifically Brazil’s Rio Tocantins’ basin.

PH: An ideal level lies between 5.5 – 6.5.

Temperature: Most Apistogramma species can be housed in temperatures between 75 – 80°F (24 – 26°C)

Hardness: This cichlid has been successfully bred in water hardness as high as 10 dGH.

Description: Apistogramma tucurui, like many of the cichlid family, is noted for its colourful appearance.  It has a golden head and several spots and stripes that originate in the head region and extend over the entire body.   The posterior side of the Apistogramma tucurui’s body is of a turquoise colour, as is its anal and dorsal fin.  This species, unlike other Apistogrammas, has up to seven black stripes in the head area and as many as nine stripes along its flank.

Diet: This species should be fed the same diet as Apistogramma brevinidus; it is omnivorous and will accept most foods.

Breeding: This species doesn’t appear to require special water conditions to breed.  You should put more females than males in a tank to maximise your chances of breeding Apistogramma tucurui.  Your chances of successful spawning will go up if you put at least two couples together in your tank.

Comments: This species should be kept in a large tank of at least 375 litres.  Apistogramma tucurui is slightly more aggressive than other Apistogramma and requires more space to accommodate its needs.  Remove leftover food from the tank promptly and change the water regularly to keep its quality.

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Recommended Compatible Species:

Apistogramma can be great community fish and live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Corydoras Catfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.