Golden cichlid

A striking fish that gives any aquarium a hint of elegance is the golden cichlid. This species is a favorite of both beginning and seasoned aquarists due to its striking golden hue and elegant movements. It is a striking addition to a freshwater tank because of its vivid coloring and distinctive patterns.

The Golden Cichlid is a fantastic option for a variety of tank configurations due to its resilient nature, which goes beyond its attractive appearance. This cichlid offers both visual appeal and reasonable care requirements, making it an excellent choice for novice or experienced fish keepers alike.

We’ll go over everything you need to know about the Golden Cichlid in this article, including its natural habitat, behavior, and the best ways to keep it happy and healthy in your aquarium. Prepare to explore the world of this stunning fish and learn why keeping one in an aquarium is such a valued pastime.

Habitat

Native to Africa, endemic species inhabit the rocky regions of Lake Malawi near its western and southern borders. registered as a species of concern in the Red Book. For many people living in the closed lake systems of the Black continent, the situation is similar. In their native habitat, they consume plankton and zooplankton as well as hard, fibrous algae that grows on rocks and stones.

The brilliant golden-yellow coloration and captivating personality of the golden cichlid fish make it an eye-catching and colorful fish. This species is great for novice and expert aquarium keepers alike. It looks great in well-kept tanks and brings beauty to any setup. This striking fish will remain healthy and active if you understand its care needs, which include tank size, food, and tank mates. This will make it a rewarding addition to your aquatic setup.

Description

A small slender fish, has an elongated body with a rounded head. The dorsal fin is long, stretching almost along the entire back. In the oral cavity there are incisors – teeth located close to each other, designed to cut algae from the surface of rocks, stones.
The coloring of the sexes differs, while preserving the main colors. The male has a dark color, the back and horizontal stripe along the entire body are yellow. The dorsal fin is translucent with dark spots forming a line, the tail is black with yellow specks on the upper edge. Anal and abdominal fins black with bluish edging. Females, on the contrary, are predominantly golden in color with dark horizontal stripes. The tail is light with dark specks in the upper part. The dorsal fin is colored thal with a distinct black stripe. The remaining fins are light golden in color.
All young individuals have a color similar to the female, males over 6 months old, who have established their territory, gradually acquire a characteristic color. At home, when exclusively female individuals are stored in the aquarium, the dominant female will eventually acquire the external features of the male.

Nutrition

Plant-based supplements should comprise a significant portion of the diet. Otherwise, any kind of dry food (granules, flakes, etc.) and meat products (bloodworms, insect larvae, mosquitoes, etc.) can be fed to Golden Cichlids. Dried spirulina is highly advised as the primary feed, with the addition of other items at your discretion.

Fish produce quite a lot of waste, so weekly water renewal by 25-50% is a prerequisite for successful maintenance. The water has a high degree of mineralization and a high pH (alkaline water). Maintaining the required parameters can be achieved by using coral sand and/or fine aragonite crushed stone as a substrate, they help increase carbonate hardness and alkalization. A similar effect is achieved by using marble chips in the filter material of filters. The latter must have high productivity in order to effectively maintain biological balance. Under such conditions, the decomposition products of organic matter (excrement, uneaten food, pieces of plants) become especially deadly and can quickly lower the pH level, which will have a detrimental effect on the inhabitants of the aquarium.
The design will require many shelters in the form of grottoes, caves, rocky embankments. They should be installed directly on the bottom of the tank and only then sprinkled with soil. Fish love to dig in the sand and if the structures are installed on it, a collapse will occur. Live plants will be quickly eaten, so for variety you can install artificial orange, red, brown colors, but not green.

Social behavior

Extremely aggressive species both in relation to other fish and to their relatives. This is especially true for males. In nature, they live in polygamous families in a specific area, where there are 6-8 females per male, any competitor will be immediately attacked. Successful maintenance of a group is possible only in a large aquarium (more than 400 liters) with a sufficient number of shelters. The presence of other males is unacceptable, he will be subjected to aggression not only from the dominant, but also from the females. The presence of other species is also not welcome, they will most likely be killed.
In a small tank of 150-200 liters, you can keep only one male or several females, and nothing else. In a small space with paired maintenance of male/female, the latter will be subject to constant attacks.

Breeding / Reproduction

Breeding is quite possible in a home aquarium. Golden cichlids are devoted parents and take care of their offspring. If breeding is planned, take care of a large aquarium so that each fish has a place to hide. During the spawning period, females show no less aggression than males.
The stimulus for reproduction is an increase in temperature to 26-28 ° C. The beginning of spawning can be determined by the color of the male, it becomes more saturated, the brightness increases almost twofold. Females lay about 40 eggs and immediately swallow them in their mouths, then she stimulates the male to release milt, which she inhales, thereby fertilizing the eggs in her mouth. Within 21 days, the eggs develop and the fry appear. Feed with Artemia nauplii and finely chopped dry food with vegetable additives.
At first, the female guards the offspring and at the slightest danger, they hide in her mouth. After 3 months, the young reach a size of 2-3 cm., and after six months, the individual coloring of males and females appears. At this time, the males should be transplanted to another tank or sold in a timely manner, until the dominant male begins his "black" business.

The golden cichlid is a gorgeous addition to any aquarium, adding a lively personality and brilliant color to your setup. Fish enthusiasts love them for their captivating behavior and eye-catching golden hue.

Taking care of these fish means paying attention to their unique requirements. Make sure the tank size, water quality, and food in their habitat reflect their natural surroundings. You can encourage your golden cichlid to flourish and display its best colors and behaviors by attending to these needs.

The golden cichlid can provide an enjoyable experience for aquarists of all skill levels. Your aquarium will be enhanced by their dynamic and beautiful nature, turning it into a focal point of admiration.

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