Going to publish book for kindle! How am i doing?
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Okay i fixed the book and made it Better. I also use one of my fish books as a reference.
American Cichlids
A guide for starting an American Cichlid aquarium
By Gianni Costantino
Introduction
Have you come down with American cichlid fever? Have you decided to start a American cichlid aquarium? If so this book will give you lots of information. On starting an American cichlid aquarium.
You will never get bored with an American cichlid aquarium! American cichlids have tons of personality. They are great pets. You can even train some American cichlids to eat out of your hand!
Water Changes
Water changes are very important. You should lots of water changes if you have American cichlids. American cichlids are known for making a real mess. You should change about 20-30% of the water in a tank with 3-4 inch American cichlid every week. You should change about 30-40% of the water in your fish tank if you have 5-7 inch American cichlids. You should change 40-50 percent of your aquariums water if you have 7-9 inch American cichlids. You should change 60-70 percent of your aquariums water for American cichlids 10 inches or more. When your fish are sick you should change your water more often.
I recommend you use tap water conditioner. After you change your fishes water. It removes heavy metals , chlorine and sometimes chloramine Or if you buy a tap water conditioner such as prime. It will also remove Ammonia and build a slime coat on the fish. It is required to use tap water conditioner unless you use well water.
You should add salt to your aquarium after you do a water change or when your fish is sick. You can use table salt. Just do not use iodized salt. You should use 1 tea spoon of salt for every gallon of water. Some fish are sensitive to salt though. But American cichlids are not sensitive to the salt dose I recommended. Just DO NO use iodized salt. You can also buy freshwater aquarium salt. But table salt is cheaper.
Choosing Your American Cichlid
This chapter will give you some information. On different types of American cichlids. This chapter will give you general info. On some common American cichlids.
Astrontus ocellatus
Oscar Cichlid
The Oscar cichlid is a very common cichlid. They can reach lengths of 16 inches on some occasions. But Oscars usually get 11-14 inches. One Oscar needs a 70 gallon 4ft tank. A pair of Oscars need at least a 120 gallon 5-6 foot tank. Usually Oscars won’t get along with there own kind. They can only be kept with other Oscars if you have 5 or more together. You will need at least a 300 gallon tank with over filtration To do this.
Oscars will eat most foods. But you should feed your Oscar high quality cichlid pellets once a day. You should feed you Oscar an amount of food that he can eat finish in 4-5 minutes. You can feed your Oscar live fish. But it is a risk of introducing a disease to your aquarium. You can feed Oscars blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that the blood worms are healthy before you feed them to your Oscar.You should feed you baby Oscars brime shrimp and cichlid flakes. You should feed you baby Oscar twice a day. You should feed it as much as it will eat in 1-2 minutes.
Oscar cichlids come in many color forums. There are tiger Oscars red Oscar , albino Oscars and lots more. Just do not get a blueberry Oscar. They are died in paint. There blue color comes off very quickly. After it comes off You will have a stressed albino Oscar.
Oscars can be aggressive. But a lot of American cichlids are more aggressive. A red devil or midas cichlid can easily beat up an Oscar cichlid. Oscars can be kept with other fish . But you will need a large tank. Sometimes fish will just not tolerate each other tough. Sometimes people have had luck with putting. Jack Dempsey’s , Severums , large catfish , and large American cichlids. You can also keep Oscars with larger schooling fish such as silver dollars.
Oscars are native in to the Amazon river. To be specific they live in the Amazon drainage. People have released Oscars into other places such as Florida though.
Oscars are full of personality. You can train them to eat out of your hand! Just remember that Oscars are messy eaters. They also poop a lot. So over good filtration and lots water changes are required. Oscars are a very cool popular and fun American cichlid!
Thorichthys meeki
Firemouth Cichlid
Firemouth cichlid are a very popular cichlid. They usually get 4-7 inches. A single firemouth cichlid needs a 20 gallon tank. A pair needs a 30 gallon tank.
Like Oscars Firemouths will accept most fish foods. But they should be fed high quality cichlid pellets Daily. Give your firemouth cichlid. You should feed your Firemouth cichlid once a day. You should feed it as much food as it can eat in 4-5 minutes. You can feed firemouth cichlid blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that they are helthy and have no parasites. Baby Firemouth cichlid should be fed brime shrimp and cichlid flakes. You should feed baby Firemouth cichlid twice a day. You should feed them as much as they can eat in 1-2 minutes.
Firemouth cichlid can be a little messy. So you should do regular water changes. You should also have good filtration.
Firemouth cichlid can get along with other American cichlids. That get around 4-8inches, But convict cichlids might not get along with Firemouth cichlids unless you have a huge aquarium. I recommend you put other cichlids that are just as aggressive as Firemouth cichlids with Firemouth cichlids. You can also put medium sized catfish with Firemouth cichlids. Just be careful because catfish can be aggressive. They are also compatible with larger tetras , silver dollars , and other larger schooling fish.
Most Firemouth cichlid are native to mexico. But some are native to Belize and Guatemala. They are not commonly released into in-native waters.
Like Oscars Firemouth cichlid have tons of personality. You can even train them to eat out of your hand! You can have hours of enjoyment! Firemouth cichlids are a cool “wet pet”.
Cichlasoma octofasciatum
Jack Dempsey cichlid
Jack Dempsey cichlids are very popular. They usually get 7-10 inches. But on some occasions they can reach 12 inches. A single Jack Dempsey cichlid needs at least a 50 gallon 4 foot tank. A pair needs at least a 70 gallon 4 foot tank.
Jack Dempsey cichlid will accept most fish foods. They will eat feeder fish. Just be cautious because feeder fish can introduce a disease. They should be fed high quality cichlid pellets every day. You should feed your jack Dempsey once a day. You should feed it as much as it can finish in 4-5 minutes. You can feed Jack Dempsey’s blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that the blood worms are healthy before you feed them to your jack Dempsey. You should feed baby Jack Dempsey's twice a day. You should feed them as much food they can eat in 1-2 minuets. Baby jack Dempsey’s should be fed cichlid flakes and brime shrimp.
Jack Dempsey's can be messy. You should do many water changes. You should also Over filter your aquarium.
Jack Dempsey’s can be aggressive. They can be kept with cichlids that are 6-15 inches that are just as aggressive. They can be kept with large catfish too. Just be careful because catfish can be aggressive. They can sometimes be kept with larger schooling fish such as silver dollars. They can also be kept with large schooling fish. Such as silver dollars.
Jack Dempsey's live in many places. They are native to Southern Mexico , Guatemala , Honduras. They are also native in swamps slow moving rivers. As well as the sinkholes of the Yucatan. They are not notoriously released into Public water ways like Oscars.
Jack Dempsey’s are very colorful. They also have tons of personality. They are a very popular American cichlid. You can even train them to eat out of your hand. Jack Dempsey cichlids are a very cool fish.
Crytoheros nigrofasciatus
Convict Cichlid
Convict cichlid are a very popular American cichlid. One convict cichlid needs at least a 20 gallon 24-30 inch aquarium. A pair needs at least a 30 gallon 30 inch aquarium. Convict cichlid usually get 3-6 inches.
Convict cichlid will accept most fish foods. They should be fed high quality cichlid pellets every day. You should feed you convict cichlid once a day. You should feed it an amount of food that it can finish in 4-5 minutes. Convict cichlid can be fed blood worms as a treat. But you will need to make shore that they are halthy and have no parasites. Baby convict cichlid should be fed twice a day. You should feed you baby convict cichlid as much as it can eat in 1-2 minuets. They should be fed cichlid flakes and brime shrimp.
Convict cichlids make a real mess. So good filteration is required. You should also do regular water changes.
Convict cichlid come from Central America. They live a span from Guatemala to panama.
Convict cichlids can be aggressive. So they should be kept with fish that can hold there own. They should be kept with 5-12 inch American cichlids that are just as aggressive as convict cichlids. They can also be kept with large catfish. Just be careful because catfish can be very aggressive. They can be kept with fast schooling fish that get at least 3 inches. Some examples are Larger rainbow fish , giant danios and silver dollars.
Lastly Convict cichlids have tons of personality. They will even eat out of your hand. They will attack other fish that can not hold there own. Convict cichlid are known for being aggressive. Convict cichlid are a very cool and popular American cichlid!
Parachromis managuensis
Jaguar Cichlid
Jaguar cichlid get big. Females get up to 16 inches. Males get up to 18 inches. But they sometimes get bigger. A female Jaguar cichlid needs at least a 80 gallon 4-5 foot tank. A male needs at least a 100 gallon 4-5 foot tank. A pair needs at least a 140 gallon 5-6 foot tank.
You should feed your jaguar cichlid high quality cichlid pellets. You can feed them feeder fish but it risky because you could introduce a disease to your aquarium should feed you jaguar cichlid high quality cichlid pellets every day. You should feed it once a day. You should feed it as much as it will eat in 4-5 minutes.
Jaguar cichlid make a big mess. You should do lots of water change if you have jaguar cichlids. You should also Over filter your aquarium if you have a jaguar cichlid.
Jaguar cichlid live throughout Central America. They also live in the Nicaraguan lakes. But they are not native to the Nicarguan lakes.
Jaguar cichlid can be aggressive. They should be kept with other large cichlids That are aggressive. They can also be kept with large catfish. They can also be kept with larger schooling fish such as silver dollars. Jaguar cichlid are very aggressive. Some people claim that they are the third most aggressive American cichlid.
Lastly Jaguar cichlids are wonderful fish. Like all the other large American cichlids they will eat out of your hand. They are very bright and colorful. Some people say that there is nothing better than a pair of Jaguar cichlids. Jaguar cichlid are very beautiful and they are also praised for there wonderful personality.
Microgeophagus ramirezi
Ram cichlid , Butterfly cichlid ,Buttrfly dwarf cichlid
Rams get about 2-3 inches long. One ram cichlid needs a 10 gallon tank. A pair needsa 15-20 gallon aquarium. Rams are considered a dwarf cichlid. They are one of the smallest cichlids you can find.
Rams will eat a wide range of fish foods. They should be fed tropical fish flakes daily. You should feed them twice a day. You should feed them an amount of food that they can finish in 1-2 minuets. You can also feed them brime shrimp , small live blood worms and Freeze dried blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that any live food you give them is not unhealthy or does not have parasites. Baby rams should be fed twice a day. They should be fed as much as they can eat in 1-2 minutes. Baby rams should be fed tropical fish flakes and brime shrimp.
American Cichlids
A guide for starting an American Cichlid aquarium
By Gianni Costantino
Introduction
Have you come down with American cichlid fever? Have you decided to start a American cichlid aquarium? If so this book will give you lots of information. On starting an American cichlid aquarium.
You will never get bored with an American cichlid aquarium! American cichlids have tons of personality. They are great pets. You can even train some American cichlids to eat out of your hand!
Water Changes
Water changes are very important. You should lots of water changes if you have American cichlids. American cichlids are known for making a real mess. You should change about 20-30% of the water in a tank with 3-4 inch American cichlid every week. You should change about 30-40% of the water in your fish tank if you have 5-7 inch American cichlids. You should change 40-50 percent of your aquariums water if you have 7-9 inch American cichlids. You should change 60-70 percent of your aquariums water for American cichlids 10 inches or more. When your fish are sick you should change your water more often.
I recommend you use tap water conditioner. After you change your fishes water. It removes heavy metals , chlorine and sometimes chloramine Or if you buy a tap water conditioner such as prime. It will also remove Ammonia and build a slime coat on the fish. It is required to use tap water conditioner unless you use well water.
You should add salt to your aquarium after you do a water change or when your fish is sick. You can use table salt. Just do not use iodized salt. You should use 1 tea spoon of salt for every gallon of water. Some fish are sensitive to salt though. But American cichlids are not sensitive to the salt dose I recommended. Just DO NO use iodized salt. You can also buy freshwater aquarium salt. But table salt is cheaper.
Choosing Your American Cichlid
This chapter will give you some information. On different types of American cichlids. This chapter will give you general info. On some common American cichlids.
Astrontus ocellatus
Oscar Cichlid
The Oscar cichlid is a very common cichlid. They can reach lengths of 16 inches on some occasions. But Oscars usually get 11-14 inches. One Oscar needs a 70 gallon 4ft tank. A pair of Oscars need at least a 120 gallon 5-6 foot tank. Usually Oscars won’t get along with there own kind. They can only be kept with other Oscars if you have 5 or more together. You will need at least a 300 gallon tank with over filtration To do this.
Oscars will eat most foods. But you should feed your Oscar high quality cichlid pellets once a day. You should feed you Oscar an amount of food that he can eat finish in 4-5 minutes. You can feed your Oscar live fish. But it is a risk of introducing a disease to your aquarium. You can feed Oscars blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that the blood worms are healthy before you feed them to your Oscar.You should feed you baby Oscars brime shrimp and cichlid flakes. You should feed you baby Oscar twice a day. You should feed it as much as it will eat in 1-2 minutes.
Oscar cichlids come in many color forums. There are tiger Oscars red Oscar , albino Oscars and lots more. Just do not get a blueberry Oscar. They are died in paint. There blue color comes off very quickly. After it comes off You will have a stressed albino Oscar.
Oscars can be aggressive. But a lot of American cichlids are more aggressive. A red devil or midas cichlid can easily beat up an Oscar cichlid. Oscars can be kept with other fish . But you will need a large tank. Sometimes fish will just not tolerate each other tough. Sometimes people have had luck with putting. Jack Dempsey’s , Severums , large catfish , and large American cichlids. You can also keep Oscars with larger schooling fish such as silver dollars.
Oscars are native in to the Amazon river. To be specific they live in the Amazon drainage. People have released Oscars into other places such as Florida though.
Oscars are full of personality. You can train them to eat out of your hand! Just remember that Oscars are messy eaters. They also poop a lot. So over good filtration and lots water changes are required. Oscars are a very cool popular and fun American cichlid!
Thorichthys meeki
Firemouth Cichlid
Firemouth cichlid are a very popular cichlid. They usually get 4-7 inches. A single firemouth cichlid needs a 20 gallon tank. A pair needs a 30 gallon tank.
Like Oscars Firemouths will accept most fish foods. But they should be fed high quality cichlid pellets Daily. Give your firemouth cichlid. You should feed your Firemouth cichlid once a day. You should feed it as much food as it can eat in 4-5 minutes. You can feed firemouth cichlid blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that they are helthy and have no parasites. Baby Firemouth cichlid should be fed brime shrimp and cichlid flakes. You should feed baby Firemouth cichlid twice a day. You should feed them as much as they can eat in 1-2 minutes.
Firemouth cichlid can be a little messy. So you should do regular water changes. You should also have good filtration.
Firemouth cichlid can get along with other American cichlids. That get around 4-8inches, But convict cichlids might not get along with Firemouth cichlids unless you have a huge aquarium. I recommend you put other cichlids that are just as aggressive as Firemouth cichlids with Firemouth cichlids. You can also put medium sized catfish with Firemouth cichlids. Just be careful because catfish can be aggressive. They are also compatible with larger tetras , silver dollars , and other larger schooling fish.
Most Firemouth cichlid are native to mexico. But some are native to Belize and Guatemala. They are not commonly released into in-native waters.
Like Oscars Firemouth cichlid have tons of personality. You can even train them to eat out of your hand! You can have hours of enjoyment! Firemouth cichlids are a cool “wet pet”.
Cichlasoma octofasciatum
Jack Dempsey cichlid
Jack Dempsey cichlids are very popular. They usually get 7-10 inches. But on some occasions they can reach 12 inches. A single Jack Dempsey cichlid needs at least a 50 gallon 4 foot tank. A pair needs at least a 70 gallon 4 foot tank.
Jack Dempsey cichlid will accept most fish foods. They will eat feeder fish. Just be cautious because feeder fish can introduce a disease. They should be fed high quality cichlid pellets every day. You should feed your jack Dempsey once a day. You should feed it as much as it can finish in 4-5 minutes. You can feed Jack Dempsey’s blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that the blood worms are healthy before you feed them to your jack Dempsey. You should feed baby Jack Dempsey's twice a day. You should feed them as much food they can eat in 1-2 minuets. Baby jack Dempsey’s should be fed cichlid flakes and brime shrimp.
Jack Dempsey's can be messy. You should do many water changes. You should also Over filter your aquarium.
Jack Dempsey’s can be aggressive. They can be kept with cichlids that are 6-15 inches that are just as aggressive. They can be kept with large catfish too. Just be careful because catfish can be aggressive. They can sometimes be kept with larger schooling fish such as silver dollars. They can also be kept with large schooling fish. Such as silver dollars.
Jack Dempsey's live in many places. They are native to Southern Mexico , Guatemala , Honduras. They are also native in swamps slow moving rivers. As well as the sinkholes of the Yucatan. They are not notoriously released into Public water ways like Oscars.
Jack Dempsey’s are very colorful. They also have tons of personality. They are a very popular American cichlid. You can even train them to eat out of your hand. Jack Dempsey cichlids are a very cool fish.
Crytoheros nigrofasciatus
Convict Cichlid
Convict cichlid are a very popular American cichlid. One convict cichlid needs at least a 20 gallon 24-30 inch aquarium. A pair needs at least a 30 gallon 30 inch aquarium. Convict cichlid usually get 3-6 inches.
Convict cichlid will accept most fish foods. They should be fed high quality cichlid pellets every day. You should feed you convict cichlid once a day. You should feed it an amount of food that it can finish in 4-5 minutes. Convict cichlid can be fed blood worms as a treat. But you will need to make shore that they are halthy and have no parasites. Baby convict cichlid should be fed twice a day. You should feed you baby convict cichlid as much as it can eat in 1-2 minuets. They should be fed cichlid flakes and brime shrimp.
Convict cichlids make a real mess. So good filteration is required. You should also do regular water changes.
Convict cichlid come from Central America. They live a span from Guatemala to panama.
Convict cichlids can be aggressive. So they should be kept with fish that can hold there own. They should be kept with 5-12 inch American cichlids that are just as aggressive as convict cichlids. They can also be kept with large catfish. Just be careful because catfish can be very aggressive. They can be kept with fast schooling fish that get at least 3 inches. Some examples are Larger rainbow fish , giant danios and silver dollars.
Lastly Convict cichlids have tons of personality. They will even eat out of your hand. They will attack other fish that can not hold there own. Convict cichlid are known for being aggressive. Convict cichlid are a very cool and popular American cichlid!
Parachromis managuensis
Jaguar Cichlid
Jaguar cichlid get big. Females get up to 16 inches. Males get up to 18 inches. But they sometimes get bigger. A female Jaguar cichlid needs at least a 80 gallon 4-5 foot tank. A male needs at least a 100 gallon 4-5 foot tank. A pair needs at least a 140 gallon 5-6 foot tank.
You should feed your jaguar cichlid high quality cichlid pellets. You can feed them feeder fish but it risky because you could introduce a disease to your aquarium should feed you jaguar cichlid high quality cichlid pellets every day. You should feed it once a day. You should feed it as much as it will eat in 4-5 minutes.
Jaguar cichlid make a big mess. You should do lots of water change if you have jaguar cichlids. You should also Over filter your aquarium if you have a jaguar cichlid.
Jaguar cichlid live throughout Central America. They also live in the Nicaraguan lakes. But they are not native to the Nicarguan lakes.
Jaguar cichlid can be aggressive. They should be kept with other large cichlids That are aggressive. They can also be kept with large catfish. They can also be kept with larger schooling fish such as silver dollars. Jaguar cichlid are very aggressive. Some people claim that they are the third most aggressive American cichlid.
Lastly Jaguar cichlids are wonderful fish. Like all the other large American cichlids they will eat out of your hand. They are very bright and colorful. Some people say that there is nothing better than a pair of Jaguar cichlids. Jaguar cichlid are very beautiful and they are also praised for there wonderful personality.
Microgeophagus ramirezi
Ram cichlid , Butterfly cichlid ,Buttrfly dwarf cichlid
Rams get about 2-3 inches long. One ram cichlid needs a 10 gallon tank. A pair needsa 15-20 gallon aquarium. Rams are considered a dwarf cichlid. They are one of the smallest cichlids you can find.
Rams will eat a wide range of fish foods. They should be fed tropical fish flakes daily. You should feed them twice a day. You should feed them an amount of food that they can finish in 1-2 minuets. You can also feed them brime shrimp , small live blood worms and Freeze dried blood worms as a treat. Just make shore that any live food you give them is not unhealthy or does not have parasites. Baby rams should be fed twice a day. They should be fed as much as they can eat in 1-2 minutes. Baby rams should be fed tropical fish flakes and brime shrimp.
if you're really serious about this (which I doubt) do more cichlid profiles, more details (i.e breeding for all species) native biology (i.e biotype, trophic level etc...) PH, GH, KH etc... Your current novel reads more like a basic english project then a guide to be honest. There are a magnitude of other things that need improvement
Okay I will start. good idea.if you're really serious about this (which I doubt) do more cichlid profiles, more details (i.e breeding for all species) native biology (i.e biotype, trophic level etc...) PH, GH, KH etc... Your current novel reads more like a basic english project then a guide to be honest. There are a magnitude of other things that need improvement
if you want to see just how far off you are go to a good LFS and look through a guide for a group of fish. doesn't have to be new world cichlids but it will clearly illustrate the difference between what is sold and your english/science project
Now that you went back over it and fixed some of the errors I think it's perfect! As a mater of fact I would go as far as to say I think it's one of the best tomes ever delivered on the subject. I've saved a copy to refer back to from time to time. I think this thread is finished any further discussion would be paramount to drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.
Bravisimo!
Bravisimo!
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