African butterfly cichlid care guide

African butterfly cichlid tank size

House a small group in an aquarium with a tank length of at least 80 cm. The Nordic Cichlid Association pairs this 80 cm tank length with a 100 L recommendation. This footprint provides sufficient space for natural territories and room to retreat.House a small group in an aquarium with a tank length of at least 31 in. The Nordic Cichlid Association pairs this 31 in tank length with a 26.4 gal recommendation. This footprint provides sufficient space for natural territories and room to retreat.^[1][8]

Equip the tank with flat stones, broad leaves, roots, wood and clay-pot shelters. Flat stones and broad leaves offer potential spawning surfaces, while plants and wood provide shy fish with shelter without keeping a bare cichlid layout.Equip the tank with flat stones, broad leaves, roots, wood and clay-pot shelters. Flat stones and broad leaves offer potential spawning surfaces, while plants and wood provide shy fish with shelter without keeping a bare cichlid layout.^[1]

Keep open viewing space around potential breeding sites to observe neighbours. African butterfly cichlids leave rooted plants undisturbed, although breeding pairs may dig shallow brood pits in the surrounding substrate.Keep open viewing space around potential breeding sites to observe neighbours. African butterfly cichlids leave rooted plants undisturbed, although breeding pairs may dig shallow brood pits in the surrounding substrate.^[1]

• 5 gal
• 10 gal
• 54 L
• 60 L
• 20 gal high
• 20 gal long
• 29 gal
• 112 L
• 40 gal breeder
• 180 L
• 55 gal
• 75 gal
• 240 L

African butterfly cichlid water parameters

Maintain a water temperature of 23–27 °C, pH 5.5–7.5 and hardness of 1–15 dGH. This species is a West African stream cichlid rather than a hard-water lake cichlid.Maintain a water temperature of 73–81 °F, pH 5.5–7.5 and hardness of 1–15 dGH. This species is a West African stream cichlid rather than a hard-water lake cichlid.^[1][2]

Keep ammonia and nitrite undetectable with mature biological filtration. Test aquarium water weekly and after adding fish, and change a quarter of the water weekly using conditioned water.Keep ammonia and nitrite undetectable with mature biological filtration. Test aquarium water weekly and after adding fish, and change a quarter of the water weekly using conditioned water.^[2]

Rinse biological filter media in removed aquarium water rather than chlorinated tap water. Neglecting water quality can stress dwarf cichlids and increase disease vulnerability.Rinse biological filter media in removed aquarium water rather than chlorinated tap water. Neglecting water quality can stress dwarf cichlids and increase disease vulnerability.^[2]

Feeding african butterfly cichlids

Feed once a day with only the amount eaten in a few minutes, using small cichlid pellets as the staple so leftovers do not accumulate and decompose. Vary pellets with live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and other suitably small foods. In nature, their omnivorous diet includes small crustaceans, algae particles and eggs.Feed once a day with only the amount eaten in a few minutes, using small cichlid pellets as the staple so leftovers do not accumulate and decompose. Vary pellets with live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and other suitably small foods. In nature, their omnivorous diet includes small crustaceans, algae particles and eggs.^[1][2][8]

African butterfly cichlid behaviour

African butterfly cichlids are shy and generally peaceful for cichlids, but paired fish defend a territory during spawning. Because pairs guard these areas, unrestricted community safety cannot be assumed.African butterfly cichlids are shy and generally peaceful for cichlids, but paired fish defend a territory during spawning. Because pairs guard these areas, unrestricted community safety cannot be assumed.^[1][8]

They are loosely gregarious and form strong pairs. Growing a group of six or more juveniles allows natural pair formation, after which territorial pairs may require extra space or separation.They are loosely gregarious and form strong pairs. Growing a group of six or more juveniles allows natural pair formation, after which territorial pairs may require extra space or separation.^[1][2][8]

The adult length is approximately 8 cm in species sources, and young shop fish often appear much duller than settled mature specimens. With appropriate care, dwarf cichlids can live several years.The adult length is approximately 3 in in species sources, and young shop fish often appear much duller than settled mature specimens. With appropriate care, dwarf cichlids can live several years.^[1][8][2]

Known locality forms include a violet-toned Sierra Leone form and a Guinea form with a more oval side mark and dark scale spots near the dorsal fin. These variations are not all assigned separate species names.Known locality forms include a violet-toned Sierra Leone form and a Guinea form with a more oval side mark and dark scale spots near the dorsal fin. These variations are not all assigned separate species names.^[8]

African butterfly cichlid tank mates

Neon tetrasNeon tetras and and glowlight tetrasglowlight tetras are conditional choices for a quiet shoal swimming above the cichlids. Maintain their groups, matching water conditions and enough room for are conditional choices for a quiet shoal swimming above the cichlids. Maintain their groups, matching water conditions and enough room for neon tetrasneon tetras and and glowlight tetrasglowlight tetras to leave any defended breeding territory. to leave any defended breeding territory.^[1][2]

Bronze corydorasBronze corydoras are a conditional peaceful catfish group. Because bottom-dwelling are a conditional peaceful catfish group. Because bottom-dwelling bronze corydorasbronze corydoras may enter a spawning area, reserve ample floor space and watch territorial pairs. may enter a spawning area, reserve ample floor space and watch territorial pairs.^[1][2]

Honey gouramisHoney gouramis are a conditional smaller-anabantoid option in a calm planted community. Avoid crowding available cover, and check that are a conditional smaller-anabantoid option in a calm planted community. Avoid crowding available cover, and check that honey gouramishoney gouramis and cichlids reach their food without aggressive competition. and cichlids reach their food without aggressive competition.^[1][2]

These companion choices apply published characin, Corydoras and smaller-anabantoid care guidance rather than documented pair trials. For breeding success, a separate pair setup prevents tank mates from disturbing eggs or fry.These companion choices apply published characin, Corydoras and smaller-anabantoid care guidance rather than documented pair trials. For breeding success, a separate pair setup prevents tank mates from disturbing eggs or fry.^[1][2]

Avoid keeping large Avoid keeping large oscarsoscars because adult because adult oscarsoscars prey on substantially smaller fish, and purchasing juveniles together does not remove this adult mismatch. Avoid prey on substantially smaller fish, and purchasing juveniles together does not remove this adult mismatch. Avoid Jack DempseysJack Dempseys because the mature territorial aggression and predation of because the mature territorial aggression and predation of Jack DempseysJack Dempseys do not suit shy dwarf cichlids. do not suit shy dwarf cichlids.^[5][6]

Avoid Avoid pea pufferspea puffers in this setup. The fin-nipping behaviour and difficult feeding competition of in this setup. The fin-nipping behaviour and difficult feeding competition of pea pufferspea puffers make them an unreliable choice around shy fish. make them an unreliable choice around shy fish.^[7]

Breeding african butterfly cichlids

This is a substrate-spawning species where a bonded pair cleans a stone or broad leaf. The female deposits eggs and the male fertilises them, with both parents participating in guarding the brood.This is a substrate-spawning species where a bonded pair cleans a stone or broad leaf. The female deposits eggs and the male fertilises them, with both parents participating in guarding the brood.^[1][8]

A gently filtered breeding setup with several flat surfaces lets a pair select a site. Because parents defend their spawning territory, reserve extra tank room if any other fish share the aquarium.A gently filtered breeding setup with several flat surfaces lets a pair select a site. Because parents defend their spawning territory, reserve extra tank room if any other fish share the aquarium.^[1][2]

Eggs hatch in roughly 48 hours, and parents move the brood between shallow pits before the fry become free swimming after about another 72 hours. After the remaining yolk is used, feed microworms or newly hatched Artemia. Parents may continue brood care for about a month, and the fry grow slowly.Eggs hatch in roughly 48 hours, and parents move the brood between shallow pits before the fry become free swimming after about another 72 hours. After the remaining yolk is used, feed microworms or newly hatched Artemia. Parents may continue brood care for about a month, and the fry grow slowly.^[1]

African butterfly cichlid health problems

Ich is caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. White grains on skin or fins, rubbing and faster breathing are possible signs. Quarantine incoming fish for 30 days, use separate nets and siphons to avoid moving sticky cysts between aquariums, and seek prompt diagnosis if signs appear.Ich is caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. White grains on skin or fins, rubbing and faster breathing are possible signs. Quarantine incoming fish for 30 days, use separate nets and siphons to avoid moving sticky cysts between aquariums, and seek prompt diagnosis if signs appear.^[3]

Bacterial fin disease can show ragged or blood-streaked fins, ulcers or sores. Stress makes fish more vulnerable to infection. Reduce bacterial disease risk by maintaining good water quality and removing sources of injury or aggression, observing symptoms before choosing treatment.Bacterial fin disease can show ragged or blood-streaked fins, ulcers or sores. Stress makes fish more vulnerable to infection. Reduce bacterial disease risk by maintaining good water quality and removing sources of injury or aggression, observing symptoms before choosing treatment.^[4][2]

Fungal cotton-wool disease produces pale fluffy growth over damaged tissue. Physical injury, rough handling and poor conditions allow fungi to overcome the protective mucus coat. Prevent fungal entry by handling fish gently, avoiding sharp decor and maintaining water quality; fluffy growth needs prompt assessment rather than guessing medication.Fungal cotton-wool disease produces pale fluffy growth over damaged tissue. Physical injury, rough handling and poor conditions allow fungi to overcome the protective mucus coat. Prevent fungal entry by handling fish gently, avoiding sharp decor and maintaining water quality; fluffy growth needs prompt assessment rather than guessing medication.^[4]

Male or female?

Males reach a larger size, usually show less distinct black markings, and develop longer unpaired fins. Females become round through the belly when carrying eggs.Males reach a larger size, usually show less distinct black markings, and develop longer unpaired fins. Females become round through the belly when carrying eggs.^[1][8]

Questions