Cichlid Care - Tank Selection

Cichlid Tanks
Proper cichlid care is very rewarding. Not only are you creating a wonderful environment for the most beautiful hobby fish, but you are also creating a warm environment for any room. Tank selection plays a vital role in this process. There are many aspects to tank selection that many novice fish enthusiasts are not aware of, but you need this to guarantee cichlid health.

Size
Perhaps the most important part of ensuring cichlid health is the size of their tank. Unlike other fish who can live in a small tank with many fish, cichlids need a lot more area per fish. They are aggressive by nature, and if they are forced to share their personal space, territorial fights are inevitable. In short, the fish will fight each other until they kill off enough fish to have their required personal space. I would not recommend using anything less than a 10 gallon tank for any cichlid. Each specific variety of cichlid will require a minimum amount of space, and it is very important that you respect this.

Shape
You need to research the type of cichlid you are purchasing as different cichlids thrive in different tank shapes. Some cichlids require more length than height. Others prefer a deep tank and don't need it as wide. As a standard, if they are young fish, a 20-gallon long tank will be your first choice if you are novice and want to start small. Doing so allows you to give the proper cichlid care.

Eye Appeal
The pet industry has boomed in the past decade with more people choosing to spend their discretionary income on pets. What this has created is a large selection of tanks for fish owners to choose from. You can tanks that are octagonal in shape, as well as tanks that have beautiful fish tank stands.

Cost of a Cichlid Tank
The cost of a cichlid tank varies greatly. They really have an aquarium for every budget. The best part is, there are always people who are interested in selling their tank. This means if you are a beginner and unsure of making a large investment, you can simply read your local classifieds and find one. If you are very frugal, you may even find one for free if you are not in a hurry to get started.

Conclusion
Cichlid health can be determined by the tank they inhabit. Without respecting their basic requirements, you are ignoring proper cichlid care and they will not thrive. Take your time to make sure you purchasing the correct tank for your cichlids needs.

Cichlid Care is a website with information about all about cichlid health. Visit for more valuable tips by Jodie Seymour.