Feeding African Cichlids: How Much and What to Give
Understanding African Cichlids
African Cichlids are popular freshwater fish that are native to lakes in East Africa. They are often found in home aquariums, as they are colorful and relatively easy to care for. African Cichlids must be provided with a balanced diet of both live and prepared foods in order to remain healthy and to thrive.
How Much to Feed
African cichlids should be fed two to three times a day in portions that they can consume in two to three minutes. Overfeeding can cause water quality problems and is unhealthy for the fish. Juvenile cichlids should be fed more often, as they grow more quickly and need more nutrition.
What to Feed
African cichlids are omnivorous and should be given a variety of both live and prepared foods. Live foods include worms, brine shrimp, and bloodworms, while prepared foods include flakes and pellets. For variety, African cichlids can also be given frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp, krill, and plankton.
Feeder Fish
Feeder fish, such as guppies, are sometimes used to feed African cichlids. These should only be used occasionally, as they are often low in nutrients and can spread parasites and diseases to the cichlids. Additionally, it is important to make sure that any feeder fish used are the appropriate size for the cichlids in the tank.
Conclusion
African cichlids need a balanced diet of live and prepared foods in order to remain healthy and to thrive. They should be fed two to three times a day in portions that they can consume in two to three minutes. A variety of live and prepared foods should be given, including worms, brine shrimp, bloodworms, flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. Feeder fish should only be used occasionally.