I know there are osphronemids that can live in a ph of like 3-4, and there's tetras that spawn that low, so are there any cichlids that are ever found in those conditions?
Lowest pH tolerance of any cichlid?
- Thread starter Hybridfish7
- Start date
There are several south amercian rivers that drop down to 4 or sometimes even lower. For example the Rio Negro goes below pH4 in many places several times a year. And it contains a lot of cichlids. They all have adapted more or less to the extreme low pH. While some need the low pH for the resulting lack of patogenes, other don't need it but just prefer it because there are less predators adapted to such low pH levels. The benefits of a low PH come with a price. The lower the pH the harder it gets for the fish to regulate the Na+ uptake through the gills. For example an PH of 3.5 will cause less trouble to S. discus than to P. scalare.
Some cichlids only need the low pH for a certain time in the year. For example Crenicichla acutirostris needs a ph of 4 to spawn and have the eggs survive though it does not need this low pH all the year around.
Some cichlids only need the low pH for a certain time in the year. For example Crenicichla acutirostris needs a ph of 4 to spawn and have the eggs survive though it does not need this low pH all the year around.
Cichlids that come from the Rio Negro and Orinoco, often experience pH ranges around 4.
Those such as Uaru fernadenzepisi and Altum Angels often do best in that range, and suffer infections due to bacteria that live in higher ranges they have no resistance to.
The same can go for species like the genus Acolapia that inhabit extreme soda lakes where pH can be as hight as pH 10, and temps in the 90sF..
I have been able to keep these species by adding mineral salts, to mimic Lake Natron (which is saltier than the ocean)to keep them from becoming infected by softer water phages.
Many of these species from both extreme don't do well in normal tap water conditions.
To keep these species healthy, accomidations must be made
Those such as Uaru fernadenzepisi and Altum Angels often do best in that range, and suffer infections due to bacteria that live in higher ranges they have no resistance to.
The same can go for species like the genus Acolapia that inhabit extreme soda lakes where pH can be as hight as pH 10, and temps in the 90sF..
I have been able to keep these species by adding mineral salts, to mimic Lake Natron (which is saltier than the ocean)to keep them from becoming infected by softer water phages.
Many of these species from both extreme don't do well in normal tap water conditions.
To keep these species healthy, accomidations must be made
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Thanks for this
I have 4 of the fernandezyepezi: 3 look great but the 4th looks a bit pinched in the head.
I’ve had the 2 years now
pH is probably around 7
I have 4 of the fernandezyepezi: 3 look great but the 4th looks a bit pinched in the head.
I’ve had the 2 years now
pH is probably around 7
Especially these days, when some of the more exotic pike speces, and soft water, low pH cichlids Mazan mentioned, and are becoing accessed by aquarists, the old standby water parameter norms assosiated with aquarium strain species such as common angels becoming accustomed to any old water, just do not apply.
I have seen many posts by aquarists wondering why their expensive Panda Uaru kick the bucket at a drop of a hat, but when questioned, and these Uaru are dropped into pH higher water parameters, with a high above pH 7 ( xtreme for them) its obvious what the problems are.
These species have not been around long enough to adapt, from a river where pH of 4 or lower is common.
Breeders that are successful have meticulously catered to every specific and minute need. these species require.
I have seen many posts by aquarists wondering why their expensive Panda Uaru kick the bucket at a drop of a hat, but when questioned, and these Uaru are dropped into pH higher water parameters, with a high above pH 7 ( xtreme for them) its obvious what the problems are.
These species have not been around long enough to adapt, from a river where pH of 4 or lower is common.
Breeders that are successful have meticulously catered to every specific and minute need. these species require.
With your neutral pH of only 7, leaf litter and the bacterial advntage of tannins could be advantagious.
With my 8.2 mineral rich water, even a couple bushels of leaves is at best a practice of self delusion to try and keep Panda's.
Even when my water gets tinted tea brown, pH barely budges a tenth.
Its all about the waters natural buffering capacity
I would say certain apistos can get the lowest of any cichlid. any inhabit backwaters that can dry up completely and get incredibly low PH ranges. And that is when they spawn. Same environment as the aforementioned tetras