Aqua Studio Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Scientific name: Pseudotropheus elongatus Common name: Slender mbuna Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 14 cm (3.94 - 5.51 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 7.5 - 8.9 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 12 - 25°N (214.29 - 446.43ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 22 - 27 °C (71.6 - 80.6°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: Africa Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial Usual place in the tank: Middle levels Food The slender mbuna should be fed a high protein diet of live or frozen foods. Algae should also be included in this cichlid’s diet to aid in digestion. Sexing Both males and females of this species are bright blue with 6 to 12 dark blue vertical stripes. The males have more dramatic coloring with a darker head and dummy egg spots located on the anal fin. Breeding The slender mbuna is a typical mouthbrooder. The female will hold her brood of 20-40 fry in her mouth for up to three weeks. Lifespan 7-10 years. Origin Lake Malawi in East Africa. Description This mbuna is easily distinguishable from the others because of its long and slender shape. This is why it is nicknamed the “slender mbuna”. Source Aquarium Fishes of the World by Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod, Dr. Warren E. Burgess, Neal Pronek, Glen S. Axelrod, David E. Boruchowitz Picture Thanks to Marwin!

Scientific name: Aequidens rondoni Common name: Acara cichlid Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 9 - 11 cm (3.54 - 4.33 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 6.3 - 7 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 6 - 16°N (107.14 - 285.71ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: South America Temperament to its own species: peaceful Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller Usual place in the tank: Middle levels Food and feeding Feed these fish quality flake or cichlid pellets as the staple diet but also include treats of brine shrimp, blood worms, and chopped earth worms. Origin South America; Acara cichlids are to be found in the Amazonian River Basins of Brazil. Sexing Sexing can be difficult, it is best to purchase a group of juveniles and let them pair off if you wish to breed. Breeding Sometimes Acara cichlids can be difficult to breed; one way of getting them to spawn is to simulate a rainfall by dropping the water level for a couple of days and then raising it again. They are substrate spawners so provide them with flat rocks or similar to use as spawning sites. Both parents will protect the fry which can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp when they are free swimming. Lifespan The expected life span for Acara cichlid is 12 years. Short description As with most cichlids, these fish produce a lot of waste so good filtration with regular water changes are a must. Picture Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.

Scientific name: Pelvicachromis taeniatus Common name: Striped kribensis Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 8 - 9 cm (3.15 - 3.54 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 6.4 - 7 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 5 - 13°N (89.29 - 232.14ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 21 - 25 °C (69.8 - 77°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: Africa Temperament to its own species: peaceful Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful Usual place in the tank: Middle levels Food and feeding Striped kribensis will accept all foods offered. Use a quality flake intermittently as the bulk of their diet should consist of live or frozen foods. Blood worms and brine shrimp are ideal and they will also accept some vegetable matter. Origin Africa; Striped kribensis are found in the waterways of Cameroon and Nigeria. Sexing Males will be larger than the females with pointed dorsal and anal fins. In breeding condition, the females will develop a pink colouration around their flanks. Breeding Breeding Striped kribensis is very easy if you provide the right conditions. They are cave spawners so add plenty of potential spawning sites in the form of upturned plant pots. Both fish will colour up prior to spawning and the female will display in front of the male to initiate the act. The eggs are laid on the roof of the cave and in 2-3 days the fry will hatch. 5-6 fays later they will be free swimming and can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp or micro worms. Lifespan The expected life span for Pelvicachromis taeniatus is 5 years. Short description Pelvicachromis taeniatus need to be kept in pairs and do well in a community tank but they will become territorial during spawning. Keep them with similar sized fish as they can be nervous with larger tank mates. Pictures Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.

Scientific name: Cichlasoma trimaculatum Common name: Three spot cichlid Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 30 - 38 cm (11.81 - 14.96 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 7.5 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 8 - 24°N (142.86 - 428.57ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: Central America Temperament to its own species: peaceful Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels Food and feeding When juveniles, Three spot cichlids should be fed quality flakes or small cichlid granules, as the mature they should be given cichlid pellets, along with chopped earth worms, shrimps and krill. Origin Central America; Three spot cichlids are found in rivers and lakes of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Sexing Males will grow larger and develop a larger nuchal hump. The dorsal and anal fins of the male will also be extended. Breeding A large aquarium is required for breeding purposes. The spawning site is usually a flat rock, once the eggs have been laid and fertilized, the female will tend them while the male defends the territory. Once the fry are free swimming, they can be fed on crushed flake or newly hatched brine shrimp. Lifespan The expected life span for Cichlasoma trimaculatum is 12 years. Short description As juveniles, Three spot cichlids do not show much colouration, but as they mature they have beautiful markings. They can only be kept with other large cichlids as they are very aggressive. Sometimes flower horns are sold as these fish, it is best to purchase them from a reputable breeder. Males are larger than females. Prefers slow moving and clean waters. Keep with fish of similar size in large tanks. Pictures Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.

Scientific name: Mylochromis lateristriga Common name: Basket hap Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 19 - 22 cm (7.48 - 8.66 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 7.2 - 8.3 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 9 - 28°N (160.71 - 500ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 23 - 26 °C (73.4 - 78.8°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: Africa Temperament to its own species: peaceful Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller Usual place in the tank: Middle levels Food and feeding Basket haps will accept dry foods but prefer live or frozen foods. Use a quality flake or pellets but ensure that you vary their diet with blood worms, tubifex. They will also benefit from feeding occasionally with some spirulina flake. Origin Africa; Basket hap is endemic to Lake Malawi. Sexing Males tend to be larger than the females and will display more intense colouration. Breeding Maravichromis lateristriga are mouth brooders. The female will pick up the eggs into her mouth and swim to the males “egg spot” on his fin, this is when he will fertilise them .It will take up to 3 weeks for the female to release the fry and at this stage, they can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp or crushed flake. Lifespan The expected life span for Maravichromis lateristriga is 8-10 years. Short description Basket haps are very territorial and need a large aquarium. Add plenty of rockwork to provide hiding places but leave open swimming spaces at the front of the tank. One male is best kept with several females. Picture Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk

Scientific name: Symphysodon aequifasciata zebra Common name: Zebra discus Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 13 - 15 cm (5.12 - 5.91 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 5.5 - 7.5 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 0 - 8°N (0 - 142.86ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 27 - 30 °C (80.6 - 86°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: South America Temperament to its own species: peaceful Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful Usual place in the tank: Middle levels The discus is described as the king of the aquarium. They are spherical in shape and fairly flat as compared to other cichlids. All species listed exist in different colour variants. Discus fish may be kept on their own in a species tank, or with other docile companions. They should not be kept with fish that have a pugnacious tendency or fast moving fish. The discus requires a large aquarium with efficient filtration, good water quality and frequent water changes. Discus fish generally need a high protein diet including a good quality flake/pellet, bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae. Discus should be kept in groups of five or more for their personalities to develop.Discuses are easily bred and may take to spawning after having paired off and matured sexually. They should be provided with a spawning cone. The discus makes a devoted parent and tend to their young. The young feed off secretions from the skin of their parents.©Stokes(2005)Picture Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk