Setting Up a Tank for Red Zebra Cichlids

Red zebra cichlids are one of the most common types of aquarium fish, although many people who own them don't know it! Although there are over two thousand species of fish that can be called African cichlids, many pet stores sell red zebra cichlids with the very vague label "African cichlid," which means very little in a world with so many African cichlids. To add to the confusion, most red zebra cichlids are solid orange and do not have stripes! Without you knowing what you've got and how to care for it, your fishy friend won't live a very long or happy life. Make sure you're doing things right.

You'll need to understand just how much space a red zebra cichlid requires. Cichlids have a reputation for being aggressive, but they're really not-- just territorial. They need to have space that they can consider their own. Without it, they begin harassing their tank mates, often to the death. A red zebra cichlid will have an adult size of 4-5 inches, so make sure you understand that they will not stay small. You may be able to keep a young red zebra cichlid in a twenty or twenty-nine gallon tank if it has few or no tank mates that will compete for territory, but you're much better off getting a tank of at least 55 gallons to meet these high-need fishes' needs.

When setting up the tank, be sure to provide lots of rocks and caves. The red zebra cichlid is an mbuna fish, meaning that it dwells in small rocky caves in its natural home. You should have fine pebble or sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places and territorial landmarks throughout the tank. Live plants such as java moss and java fern are an excellent idea to improve your water quality, but aren't as necessary as rocky caves for mbunas.

A heater and an excellent filter are must-haves for a tank with any mbuna cichlid, and the red zebra cichlid is no exception. Your tank will need a constant water temperature between 76 and 84 degrees. Although red zebra cichlids can tolerate neutral water, they prefer for their water to be very slightly alkaline. The soft, acidic water used for South American cichlids (such as angelfish and discus) is not a good fit for a red zebra cichlid.

Be careful when selecting tank mates. Ideally, red zebra cichlids should be kept in large tanks with others of their species, but with caution about gender balance. It's best to have males with harems of at least 3 females, so a tank with three males and nine females would, for example, be fine. Tanks with too few males will often have bursts of violence and death. Most top-feeding fish do not compete for territory with red zebra cichlids, and almost all schooling fish are compatible with them. Avoid placing red zebra cichlids with other highly territorial middle-water or bottom-feeding fish.

After your cichlids have settled in, it should be smooth sailing from that point onward, but make sure you feed a balanced diet to prevent problems like malnutrition and bloat. A lightly supplemented diet composed mostly of commercial cichlid food is ideal. If you have questions, consultants at your local aquarium supply store should be able to help.

Tank Setup for Mbuna Cichlids

Within the freshwater aquarium hobby, you'll often hear fish enthusiasts refer to "mbuna" cichlid fish. This popular term, meaning "rockfish" in the language of Malawi's Tonga people, describes a very diverse group of fish in the family Cichlidae. Mbuna cichlids are my personal favorites among all groups of freshwater fish, although they can be harder to care for than less-demanding types of freshwater fish, such as livebearers and cyprinids. Mbuna cichlids can be temperamental and territorial, and characteristically dwell in rocky shores and underwater caves, so it's not always easy to create an appropriate tank set-up. If you're planning to set up an aquarium for mbuna cichlids, here are some tips to follow that have helped me set up a great habitat for these beautiful animals.

Adequate Space

A small aquarium is not appropriate for any type of mbuna cichlid, since they are very territorial by nature and will fight to the death in inadequately sized tanks. Although it may be possible to house some small species of mbuna in a well-tended 20-gallon aquarium, they should never be kept in a tank any smaller than that. Ideally, start with a 55-gallon or larger tank. "Vertical" tanks with little floor space aren't appropriate for mbuna cichlids; choose a tank with a broad bottom.

Substrate

Sand or gravel filtration is best for mbuna cichlids. Bear in mind that they have a habit of digging (part of their natural nest-building and territory-building instinct) so some forms of substrate may be inappropriate. Some other great choices include crushed coral and limestone, but since these may affect water chemistry, it's best to use them only if you are an experienced aquarist and can carefully manage your water parameters and mineral content.

Decoration

Mbuna cichlids characteristically need a tank set-up with plenty of rocks and caves. One popular option is to use clay flower pots with holes drilled in them to create interesting caves. However, this may not meet every mbuna keeper's aesthetic preferences. Many prefer to create more natural-looking caves with lava rock or other aquarium-friendly stones. Live plants can be a great decoration but may not withstand the rigors of cichlid aggression, digging, and nibbling. Java fern might be an appropriate addition to some mbuna cichlid tank set-ups, since it's left uneaten and tends to remain hardy in disturbed substrate.

Water Parameters

Water in an mbuna cichlid tank set-up needs to remain at a warm tropical temperature between 77 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to emulate the natural climate of the African freshwater lakes where the fish originate. Mbuna cichlids usually prefer slightly alkaline water with a pH between 7.5 and 8.4, with dissolved minerals of sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium (as found naturally in Lake Malawi, where most popular mbuna cichlids come from. (Specialized aquarium additives can meet these needs.) The tank's nitrate and nitrite levels should be as close to undetectable as possible at any given time. 

With an adequately large and appropriately decorated aquarium, mbuna cichlids can thrive, but a poor tank set-up for mbuna cichlids can lead to poor water parameters, excessive aggression, stunted growth, polluted water, and sudden unexplained deaths. However, with a good tank-set up, mbuna cichlids can thrive and bring vibrancy and a splash of color to any home.

Plans for Stocking a 1-Gallon Mini Aquarium

For people who can't afford, or don't have room for, a large aquarium, very small aquariums can look quite appealing. Who wouldn't love the look of a one-gallon desktop aquarium brimming with active, happy, healthy fish? Owing to misadvertisements from the manufacturers, often showing an unrealistic number of fish in these tiny tanks, many new fishkeepers believe that they can keep an entire school of fish in a one-gallon aquarium.

Unfortunately, the options for stocking a one-gallon aquarium are limited at best and nonexistant at worst. There are only three truly viable options for stocking a one-gallon aquarium that will survive and thrive for more than a few months.

A Single Male Betta

It is not recommended that bettas be kept in tanks smaller than three to five gallons, but they can still live in very small tanks. The reason that bettas are so popular in very small tanks is that they are equipped with a lung-like gill adaptation, called a labyrinth organ, that enables them to breathe air. This helps them to survive in very poor and polluted water.

However, surviving is not the same thing as thriving. While a betta can indeed thrive in a one-gallon tank, it requires careful maintenance, including the introduction of a filter, live plants, and-- unless your home's temperature never drops below the mid-seventies-- a heater. With very frequent water changes, sparse feedings, and a properly maintained aquatic ecosystem, the betta is one of the few species of fish fully capable of remaining healthy in a one-gallon tank.

Ghost Shrimp

A one-gallon aquarium stocked with a few ghost shrimp will actually look wonderful on a desktop or small stand. The addition of ghost shrimp to a small aquarium is delightful, and the antics of these peculiar creatures are fun to watch. A balanced ecosystem with live plants two or three ghost shrimp can thrive indefinitely.

Your guests will be delighted and entertained when they see your tiny shrimp scavenging at the bottom of the tank. These little guys are sure to amuse fishkeepers and laymen alike, and they are very active and full of personality. A small tank full of ghost shrimp can be as enjoyable as a much larger tank.

Plants Only

A planted tank featuring exotic or unusual vegetation can have the beauty and appeal of a bonsai tree. A one-gallon aquarium can hold a miniature water-garden, with one or two small, exotic water plants. If properly maintained, the plants will grow and bloom until they look positively magical when properly lit on a desk or shelf.

The art of aquatic plant-keeping may seem dull compared to an aquarium full of fish, but it can be thrilling in its own right, since it requires skills and maintenence similar to a small garden or a houseplant. Friends might at first ask where your fish are, but they may find themselves intrigued and fascinated by the sight of a small aquarium that hosts its own plant-based ecosystem.

Despite manufacturer's advertising, small fish like zebra danios, neon tetras, guppies, and white cloud minnows are wholly incompatible with life in a one-gallon aquarium. While they are small, all these fish require plenty of swimming space to stay happy and healthy. And, although some aquarists assume that fish can not get lonely, schooling fish are known to become depressed and starve themselves to death in the absence of companions-- and no one-gallon tank can accomodate an entire school of any species.

Prevent cruelty and select stock for your one-gallon aquarium with full knowledge of the limitations. While a one-gallon tank can still be a very enjoyable addition to a home, it can also be a tragic cruelty device if not stocked carefully and considerately.

Plans for Stocking a 10-Gallon Aquarium

Ten gallon aquariums are tricky to stock, because they are not quite large enough to house a dynamic community of freshwater fish, yet they are large enough to comfortably accomodate more than a handful of tiny fish.

Many fish in ten-gallon and smaller tanks die prematurely from inadequately maintained and overstocked aquaria, because many fishkeepers are wholly convinced based on product advertisements that a large community of more than twenty fish can be stocked in one of these petite aquariums.

The following suggestions for stocking a ten-gallon aquarium are ideal for maintaining the health of your freshwater fish. By keeping your plans moderate, you significantly reduce the stress to your fish, and increase the life of your aquarium.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Fancy Guppies or Endler's Livebearers

Either of these two close relatives can live in groups of up to seven in a well-maintained ten-gallon aquarium, and, with very good water maintenance, some aquarists have found that populations of up to ten adults can be sustainable. Guppies and Endlers are very hardy and forgiving, and are ideal for beginners who are just stocking their first small aquarium. Their bright colors make them a delighful and pleasant addition to a home aquarium. Because they breed very readily, purchase only male livebearers unless you plan on housing a brood of babies. Most pet-store females are already pregnant when bought.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Platys or Swordtails

The platy, or its close relative the swordtail, can be another excellent, forgiving choice for a beginner aquarist with a ten-gallon tank. Up to five adults can usually be comfortably housed in a small aquarium if the tank is kept very healthy and well-filtered. Like guppies, they are beautiful to look at but breed quite readily, and a beginning fishkeeper should only keep males unless prepared to add another tank (or ten) to the collection. They are active, full of personality, and very attractive additions to a small aquarium.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: White Cloud Mountain Minnows

Another forgiving species, the white cloud mountain minnow is tough and requires no heater to thrive. They do best in large groups and will often become depressed and stop eating unless they have "friends" of the same species around. In a very well-kept ten-gallon aquarium, up to ten can live without comprimising water quality. They are quick, active, and colorful, and sure to delight almost any aquarist.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Dwarf Gouramis amd Corydoras Catfish

The dwarf gourami is an exciting and slightly more advanced addition to a ten-gallon aquarium, and may be kept in groups of up to five, depending on the specific temperaments of the gouramis themselves. Most often, two gouramis and two to three corydoras catfish will work better to create a more balanced aquarium ecosystem and to prevent conflict between competing members of the community.

Aquarium Stocking Plan: Betta and Corydoras Catfish

A single male betta will do very well in a ten-gallon tank, but they require little space and are extremely forgiving of poor water conditions owing to their lunglike adaptation called a labyrinth organ. While a male Siamese Fighting Fish alone in a ten-gallon tank will do well, you can add balance and flair to the tank by including one to six corydoras catfish in the tank. Their antics will amuse, while the betta's beauty will stun. It's a combination that can't be beat.

The ability of a small aquarium to hold a given number of fish will vary tremendously based on the conditions of the water and the individual personalities of the fish, so these estimates are rough and may call for modification as the aquarist gains experience. However, these hardy species are an almost-guarantee of a successful, long-lived community for a ten-gallon aquarium.

Plans for Stocking a 5-Gallon Aquarium

Five-gallon aquariums are popular because they are so compact, ideal for desks, kitchens, and children's bedrooms. Unfortunately, due to common misunderstandings about the chemical dynamics of healthy community tanks, many fish kept in five-gallon tanks die prematurely from overcrowding.

Since a five-gallon aquarium is too small to comfortably accomodate most varieties of freshwater fish, the options for stocking a healthy tank are limited. However, these five plans can comfortably enable your five-gallon aquarium to house a healthy and long-lived community.

Stocking Plan 1: Guppies

Although they are a schooling variety of livebearer, guppies will do surprisingly well in pairs or small groups. A five-gallon aquarium can comfortably accomodate two or three adult guppies without a high risk of nitrate buildup or overcrowding. Guppies breed readily (whether you want them to or not!) so it is best to get only male guppies. In addition to being much more attractive, they are a safer bet for a small tank than females, who are often already pregnant by the time you buy them.

Stocking Plan 2: Betta

A single male Siamese fighting fish (or any other member of the betta genus) will feel like a king in a five-gallon aquarium. Although it may seem boring to have only one fish in the aquarium, a male betta will look stunningly attractive in a well-planted five-gallon tank. They can do surprisingly well in poor-quality water and are very forgiving if you are a first-time aquarist, although attention should still be kept to maintaining good water quality.

Stocking Plan 3: White Cloud Minnows

White Cloud Mountain minnows are a very forgiving member of the carp family, and can adjust well to harsh aquarium environments. For this reason, it is often widely recommended for beginning aquarists and those with small tanks. White Cloud Mountain minnows are a very social schooling fish and should always be kept in groups--they tend to become depressed and stop eating, often to the point of starvation, if they are kept isolated. Although they should ideally be kept in groups of eight or more, they will still thrive in schools of four to five individuals, which is the maximum that can be comfortably housed by a five-gallon tank.

Stocking Plan 4: Cardinal Tetras

Cardinal tetras are a close relative of the more popular neon tetra, and they are nearly identical. Although less common in the aquarium trade, they can be an ideal first fish because they are hardier and less inbred than their neon cousins. Their bright colors and flourescence make them a charming and beautiful addition to any tank, and their compact size makes them perfect for small aquaria. Up to five cardinal tetras can live in a five-gallon aquarium without much trouble, especially if the tank is kept well-planted and well-filtered. In addition to its aesthetic and practical benefits over the neon tetra, cardinals are also ideal because they help to protect the Amazon rainforest .

Stocking Plan 5: Zebra Danios

Zebra danios are quick, active schooling fish with a tremendous amount of personality. Like cardinal tetras and white cloud minnows, zebra danios thrive when kept in large numbers. Dwarf varieties of zebra danio can be kept in groups of four to five in a five-gallon tank without excess nitrate buildup. Zebra danios should be carefully selected, because some strains of them are excessively inbred, including some of the long-finned varieties and the genetically modified "Glofish". Zebra danios are hardy but prefer fast-moving water and well-planted tanks.

Ideas for Decorating a New Aquarium

I have been keeping fish for over ten years, and I've always found that my favorite part of getting a new tank is determining how to decorate the tank. Aquascapers have developed hundreds of different themes, designs and layout ideas for decorating a new freshwater aquarium. To make your new tank look its best, follow a single motif or theme; this will keep the tank cohesive and visually appealing. Depending on the size of your new aquarium, the fish you are keeping and your own personal tastes, you might consider some of the following ideas for decorating a new aquarium.

Biotope Theme

Many serious aquarists prefer to set up freshwater aquariums in a biotope style. Biotope tanks are designed to closely mimic a fish's natural environment and they vary widely in their presentation. For example, a fishkeeper who likes tetras may keep tetras and discus in a blackwater tank with driftwood and peat filtration. African cichlid lovers may keep several species in a rocky lake that mimics Lake Victoria. The possibilities are limitless and the finished piece has a uniquely natural aura.

Island Motif

Aquarists who prefer the natural look of a biotope aquarium may not enjoy tropical, beach or island-themed aquariums. However, when properly executed, an island motif for decorating a freshwater aquarium can be surprisingly tasteful and aesthetically pleasing. Sand substrate, smooth sand-colored stones, natural seashells and realistic artificial palms can look elegant with brightly-colored fish. I enjoy placing decorations on a slightly raised platform in the center of an aquarium, with the rest of the area lined with sloped sand. This makes the aquarium look distinctly island-like.

Ocean Style

This idea for decorating an aquarium is related to the island theme, but it is more realistic and some find it more tasteful. An ocean look isn't limited to saltwater aquariums; aquarists can use the ocean look for freshwater fish as well. Use sand or aragonite substrate with crushed seashells and artificial coral. Plants should be used sparingly, if at all, in an aquarium with this theme; L.E.D. lights can offer an additional marine-like ambiance. Brackish water fish like mollies and pufferfish benefit from the chemistry of an ocean-style aquarium even if little or no salt is added.

Sunken Ship

Executed alongside the ocean theme, sunken ships and other pirate-style ornaments can look stunning. Use the classic ornaments for the ocean theme along with realistic sunken ship ornaments. I find that those with fabric sails look elegant and mysterious. For this slightly eerie theme, subdued lighting is a must and brightly-colored fish like neon tetras can create a treasure-box effect. Some aquarists may take the theme a step further and add aircraft, bridge or building ornaments to create an Atlantis-like appearance. Small pieces of driftwood can give the water a "tea-stained" look.

When selecting an idea for decorating a freshwater aquarium, be sure to stick with a single motif. Don't mix waving divers or Spongebob ornaments with natural driftwood; these decorations clash and look unprofessional. Always keep the needs of your fish in mind; some fish need the gentle acidity of driftwood, while others benefit from the alkalizing effects of aragonite or crushed coral. The employees at your local fish store can also be a valuable resource for helping establish your new tank.

Blackwater Biotope Aquarium Setup

A biotope aquarium is one that aims to imitate a natural habitat. Reef biotopes, for example, show a diverse array of marine fish native to a single reef ecosystem. As an aquarist, one of my favorite biotope set-ups is the classic black water evironment. These earthy, enchanting fish tank set-ups maintain a rustic, natural beauty and lack the gaudy aura of more "artificial" habitats.

In the wild, black water ecosystems occur in several parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, the Southern United States and several branches of the Amazon river. Black water ecosystems are named for their tea-stained appearance; tannins from peat and driftwood give the water a transparent but brown-tinted hue.

Some of the most beautiful tropical fish on the market originate in these ecosystems. The ever-popular neon tetra, for example, developed its bright colors so that individuals could identify one another within the tannin-rich waters of the Amazon. Many other dazzlingly colorful fish, including dozens of species of tetra, danio, loach and cichlid, thrive in wild black-water ecosystems and home black water set-ups.

To set up a black water tank, determine which ecosystem you intend to mimic. It's best to use a large aquarium of 55 gallons or more, but a five-fish school of small tetras may thrive in a black water tank of five gallons or smaller. Spread a thin layer of dark-colored sand or gravel on the bottom of the tank. Organize the space with roots and driftwood, laying them in a manner that creates plenty of hiding-spaces while also supplying open water for swimming. The driftwood or roots will gradually leach tannins into the water, giving the black water aquarium its characteristic tea-stained appearance.

Keep the filter on its slowest setting; black water fish generally prefer calm waters. Peat filtration is ideal, but not essential, for a black water biotope aquarium. You can jump-start your tank using a commercial black water extract; these products are sold at some specialty stores and contain extracts of peat and driftwood.

Some blackwater ecosystems contain plants, while others do not. An Amazon root ecosystem rarely contains many benthic plants; the intense shade and dark, acidic waters make it an imperfect environment for plants. Nevertheless, plants will not harm black water fish and may help to keep the tank's nitrate and ammonia levels suitably low. Set up your black water biotope aquarium with only minimal lighting; a single fluorescent tube should suffice.

Cycle your black-water tank without fish; give the water time to stabilize before adding your first shoal. Check water parameters regularly. Your tank is ready to stock when the nitrate levels are consistently below 10 ppm and ammonia levels are consistently undetectable. The water should remain soft and slightly acidic; an ideal black water biotope has a pH of 5.5-6.5 and has a hardness below 8 dH. Unless you are keeping only cold-tolerant tetra species, a heater is a must-have for your black water biotope aquarium set-up.

To maintain a natural biotope theme, select fish with similar origins. A South American black water tank could contain a shoal of twenty surface-dwelling tetras, such as hatchetfish, jewel tetras or rummy nose tetras. A small group of South American cichlids, such as angelfish or discus fish, act as the centerpieces for this aquarium; a school of corydoras catfish complete the mix. In small tanks, a miniature set-up might include a single angelfish, a school of five cardinal tetras, and three corydoras.

The Southeast Asian equivalent of this set-up would include a large shoal of cyprinids. Twenty to thirty tiger barbs or harlequin rasboras look dazzling schooling together in a large black water biotope tank. Instead of using cichlids as the centerpiece of this tank, the Southeast Asian version would include a small group of four to six large gourami-- choose between the several domesticated strains of the pearl gourami. A shoal of eight to ten clown loaches or dwarf loaches would make this system ecologically complete.

When setting up and maintaining your black water biotope fish tank, be sure to check your water parameters frequently, Many of the fish found in wild blackwater ecosystems are rather demanding; monitor your fish's health frequently. Perform routine maintenance water-changes, but use caution to prevent abrupt shifts in pH caused be reduced tannin levels. Black water biotope aquariums are hard work, but they pay you back for it by granting you a slice of nature in your own home.

Aquarium Air Pumps Don't Clean Your Fish Bowl

If you look at your local pet store, you'll notice dozens of small aquariums and fish bowls that are "filtered" by an air pump. A first-time aquarist can easily make the mistake of believing that these bubble-making machines somehow eliminate waste or toxins from a fish bowl or a small fish tank. They don't.

An air pump works by forcing air into the water, causing large bubbles to fill the water and then break at the surface. These can look interesting and may provide a modest increase in the amount of dissolved oxygen in your water, but the improvement won't be substantial. Ground-level air is composed almost entirely of nitrogen, and the bubbles pop quickly in your fish bowl, so very little of the air actually makes it to your fishies.

Air pumps do not offer any sort of filtration for an aquarium or small fish tank. They do not remove nitrates, ammonia, particulate matter, algae, nitrite, fish poop or excess food from the water. At best, they simply move it around. Only an actual filter will filter your fish tank.

Fortunately, air pumps are ultimately harmless for most ornamental fish. Some fish who you keep in your fish bowl or small tank will enjoy the fast-moving water, but others will not. The betta, for example-- the king of the fish bowl-- is adapted to live in small, stagnant pools. It will become exhausted in the presence of an air pump and may slump to the bottom of the tank.

Other fish that don't like air pumps include pearl gourami and discus. If you are interested in getting an air pump for your fish bowl or fish tank, confirm that your aquatic friends will benefit from these popular contraptions. Then go about finding a proper filter that will actually do the job of improving your fish tank's water quality.

Your local pet store should have several effective charcoal filters that will work for a small tank.