What to look for when buying fish.
Features of acquiring cichlids.
Of course, the number and species composition of fish are ultimately determined by the volume of the aquarium. The overwhelming majority of cichlid tanks are spacious containers whose capacity is measured in hundreds of liters. Accordingly, the most suitable population for them is large cichlids — Astronotus, Acaras, Cichlasoma, tilapias. Keep in mind that these species are predators, so careful selection of neighbors (they must be either agile enough or equally large) and especially pairs is required. Therefore, it makes sense to acquire either an already formed pair (this is quite difficult to do, as owners are extremely reluctant to part with breeders) or stock the aquarium with fish of several species, getting “one creature” of each.
The wisest approach is to purchase several young cichlids and wait for a pair to form among them. Synodontis, Pterygoplichthys, and other large catfish get along well with them in the same body of water. Pacus, large Metynnis, tinfoil barbs, and bala sharks look good here. The presence of these fish in the aquarium not only decorates the tank but also helps relieve stress to which solitary-swimming cichlids are prone. Another option could be a combination of different knifefish (Apteronotus, Notopterus), Red Parrot cichlids, arowana, and large clown loaches. A third common option is piranhas.
African cichlids are not among the problematic fish in terms of breeding. Therefore, an average buyer has 2 choices – to order wild specimens or to buy domestically bred species offered in pet markets and pet stores. Prices for the juveniles of most African cichlid species are quite affordable for a beginner aquarist. The most inexpensive “Africans” are river representatives of Africa’s aquatic fauna – Pelvicachromis, Hemichromis (jewel cichlids, red chromides), and tilapias (river and lake ones). They produce a large number of offspring (hundreds of fry) with enviable regularity – twice a month. The next price category is occupied by “Malawians”, “Victorians”, and some Neolamprologus from Lake Tanganyika. They spawn stably and produce broods numbering in the dozens of fry.
The most expensive African cichlids are representatives of Lake Tanganyika. The high cost of these fish is due to rather high water quality requirements and the low productivity of “Tanganyikans” – some species yield no more than 10 fry per spawning, and spawning itself can be a rather rare occurrence. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase African cichlids from fish breeders specializing in this specific group of fish. In this case, you can get qualified advice from the seller and have some guarantee of the quality of the fish you are purchasing.
At 3 months of age, fry of small species will reach 2.5 cm, and large ones 4-5 cm. In most cases, the minimum number of juveniles to purchase is 7 pieces (if the sex of the juveniles is indistinguishable) and 5 pieces (if 2 males and 3 females can be accurately identified). Determining the quality of purchased fish is only within the power of an experienced aquarist, but good signs are high activity of the fry and a slightly convex belly line. The main sign for determining the good health of fish is the presence of a pronounced feeding reflex.
The described fish tolerate transfer from aquarium to aquarium very easily – they cope well with adaptation to a new landscape and larger volume. However, transferring them to a smaller volume, especially adult fish, may not always end successfully. This is associated with the sad reputation of cichlids as great brawlers and murderers. In reality, the following situation often occurs: a beginner aquarist buys adult fish and releases them into their aquarium without checking the water volume in which the purchased fish lived with their previous owner. If the aquarium volume is significantly reduced compared to their previous home, a tragic end for the weaker ones is guaranteed. Alas, cichlids do not like such experiments.
Most often, any stocking density of fish is given with respect to the adult population of the aquarium that has already reached its age, size, and other conditions. If you are purchasing young fish, the stocking density can be increased because the fish are small and have no territorial claims yet. Later, when the fish grow and the maturation period begins, the “backbone” of your aquarium will start to form. Let the cichlids figure out the intricacies of fish relationships themselves! “Excess” or persecuted fish (if any) will have to be removed in the future, but in return, you will get a well-adapted, “settled” community of several cichlid species from Lake Tanganyika.
It is well known that herbivorous and carnivorous fish cannot be kept in the same aquarium. Forming a maximally life-filled aquarium with Lake Tanganyika cichlids, in addition to similar dietary specialization, requires a good knowledge of the characteristics of individual species. Each species has its own individual behavioral traits: territory defense, the nature and degree of territoriality, environmental requirements, aquarium volume, and many, many other factors…
This information must be taken into account if you want to create a truly interesting and well-planned aquarium. Study relevant materials on the Internet and literature. Try to learn as much as possible about the fish you have chosen! Otherwise, you may experience constant and unpleasant dictates from a “harder”, stronger species and, ultimately, the loss of the weaker one. Even a large aquarium volume and rock piles may not help here… Exhausted by persecution, a fish most often rises to the top and ends up in one of the corners of the aquarium, unable to “escape” from the aquarium.
It is also very important to choose fish of approximately the same size to avoid losses or developmental delays in smaller specimens. But if cichlids have different temperaments and degrees of territoriality, relatively “peaceful” fish can and should be chosen larger in size than the more aggressive ones. Lamprologus ocellatus and similar species (Lamprologus speciosus, Lamprologus meleagris) are best purchased in pairs. In large aquariums (from 120 cm long), you can try keeping a harem or several pairs. This also applies to all other shell-dwelling cichlids.
How many fish of each species should be purchased for a given aquarium volume? It all depends on what kind of fish you are going to keep, the volume of your aquarium, your goal, and how serious your approach is. Schooling fish are best purchased in quantities of at least 10-15 (or more) specimens. For pair-forming species, this is 8-10 or more fish. In this case, there is a high probability of getting the right number of males and females among them and conducting individual selection. For example, representatives of the same genus, inhabitants of the same rocky biotope, can have diametrically opposed characters, properties, and lead different lifestyles… All this must be taken into account for the successful keeping of Lake Tanganyika cichlids in an aquarium.
If you are touching upon the “Tanganyika theme” for the first time, or mandatory fish breeding is not your goal, feel free to choose 4-5 compatible fish of each species. The advantage is that the number of diverse species in such an aquarium can be significantly larger, and the visual appeal will undoubtedly increase. It is best to stock fish in groups of 3-4 males to 6-7 females, which significantly disperses aggression and allows for keeping backup individuals in case the leader dies.
These cichlids, like most mouthbrooding relatives, are harem fish. It is better to choose the future family yourself by purchasing 6-8 medium (2-4 cm) and active fry. With proper care, the fish grow quickly and are ready for reproduction at 8 months of age. The interior decoration of the aquarium can be created in accordance with the natural conditions typical for fish of this group.
Features of acquiring livebearing and halfbeak fish.
Features of acquiring Cyprinodontiform fish. 
