{"product_id":"apistogramma-borellii","title":"Apistogramma borellii","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCichlids – Care Guide \u0026amp; Aquarium Companions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCichlids are one of the most diverse and fascinating groups of freshwater aquarium fish. They are known for their \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebright colours, strong personalities, intelligence and interesting breeding behaviour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCichlids range from small and relatively peaceful dwarf species to large, powerful and highly territorial fish. Popular varieties include \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRams, Angelfish, Discus, Oscars, Severums, African Cichlids, Flowerhorns, Apistogramma\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and many more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause their requirements vary greatly between species, it is important to research the exact cichlid before adding it to an aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank size depends heavily on the species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmaller dwarf cichlids may be suitable for aquariums starting around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e50–75 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while large species such as Oscars and Flowerhorns require \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e250–300 litres or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenerally \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24°C – 30°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, depending on the species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH Range:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.0 – 8.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, depending heavily on the natural habitat of the species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSouth American cichlids generally prefer softer and more acidic to neutral water, while many African Rift Lake cichlids prefer harder, more alkaline conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Setup\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aquarium should be designed according to the specific type of cichlid being kept.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA suitable setup may include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRocks and caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDriftwood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSand or smooth substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLive or hardy plants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMultiple hiding spaces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpen swimming areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong filtration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood water circulation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegular water changes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTerritorial species should be given plenty of separate hiding areas and visual barriers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMost cichlids are omnivorous or carnivorous, although some species require a more plant-based diet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable foods may include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh-quality cichlid pellets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlakes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrine shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBloodworms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrill\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInsect-based foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpirulina and vegetable-based foods for suitable species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlways choose food according to the specific species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA varied and balanced diet helps improve colour, growth and overall health.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Temperament\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCichlid behaviour varies greatly between species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome cichlids are peaceful enough for community aquariums, while others can be highly territorial and aggressive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAggression can become stronger during:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePair formation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTerritory establishment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompetition for caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProviding enough aquarium space and hiding areas can help reduce aggression.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable Tank Companions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank companions must be selected according to the exact cichlid species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeaceful or dwarf cichlids may sometimes be kept with:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTetras • Rasboras • Corydoras • Plecos • Rainbowfish • Peaceful Barbs and other compatible community fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarger cichlids should only be kept with suitably sized and robust tank companions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall fish, shrimp and slow-moving species should generally be avoided with large predatory cichlids because they may be attacked or eaten.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCichlids are well known for their fascinating breeding and parental behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepending on the species, they may:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLay eggs on rocks or flat surfaces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpawn inside caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDig breeding pits\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGuard eggs and fry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarry eggs or young inside their mouth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany cichlid parents actively protect their young, which makes their breeding behaviour particularly interesting to observe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCichlids should not all be treated the same.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Different species can have completely different requirements for water chemistry, aquarium size, diet and tank companions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlways identify the exact species before setting up the aquarium or selecting tank mates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith sufficient space, excellent water quality, suitable nutrition and carefully selected companions, cichlids can be some of the most colourful, intelligent and rewarding freshwater fish to keep.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HS Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67660318048489,"sku":"LIV-00201","price":400.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/9637\/2457\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_35ec8884-fa9c-4994-beb5-44e951584ffd.jpg?v=1791703013","url":"https:\/\/hsaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/apistogramma-borellii","provider":"HS Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}