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Tanganyikan cichlid tropical fish tank setup
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Tanganyikan cichlids can be very aggressive towards each other, particularly the males. They require a lot of rocks in the tank to provide, hiding
places, spawning areas, and also lots of territories where dominant males can set up home and ward of intruders. Lots of rocks along the back with
plenty of open space swimming at the front is good. Ocean or sea rock is good because it acts as a natural buffer for the ph, along with a coral
sand or coral gravel substrate again helping to buffer the ph. Many Tanganyikan cichlids are shell dwellers so shells should be placed in the tank
if these varieties are being kept.
The water conditions must be good for the fish to thrive. The fish are intelligent like most cichlids. Fish to be constantly active, whether they
are trying to attract a female, scouring the crevices and caves, or building homes. The shell dwellers are fascinating, constantly
excavating
homes, making paths to the entrance, guarding, etc.
The terrain is important for a Tanganyikan community. Plenty of rocks and hiding places, where the fish can lurk in
crevices and lure other fish to explore with them. Plants can be put in with Tanganyikan cichlids as they will not turn them into salad bars
like Malawi's do. Hardy plants like Anubias barteri which is a low light species and can take the
higher pH and salt content without shrivelling up are good. The leaves are nice and thick, so it is harder for fish to take a bite, eat,
or attack the plants.
A high pH up to 8.6 is best with a mix of Tanganyika buffer and Tanganyika salts to help duplicate their natural environment along with a water
temperature around 26°C is good. To keep the water conditions good and the tank clean, a partial 25% water change per week with a gravel siphon, and
a day of fast once a week. Add water additives carefully by diluting them first as a concentrated squirt of plant additives or too much buffer may
have adverse effects.
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