Cichlids need salt in their water?

[jay733]

Do Cichlids need salt in their water? Or is it just a luxury?

[DeputyChiefJR]

What kind of cichlids?

[Daphogs]

If they are cichlids from the amazon like Discus and Angelfishes, they need soft water. NO SALT whatsoever.

African cichlids would benefit from them, they say.

As a rule though, I don't add table salt to my aquarium.

[Star_Rider]

yeah but don't hte arica cichlids benefit by mineral salts?

not necessarily NaCl

[wobble]

African cichlid's native habitat has higher ph, kh, and gh than most tap water provides. The cichlid salts sold at LFS have three ingredients: Baking soda, which raises kh and ph. Epsom salt, which raises gh. Sea salts, which raises ph and adds trace elements. Whether or not this is necessary is still in debate. I prefer to try and make the aquarium water match their native water conditions. Will they survive without adding these? Probably, but I notice when I make the water conditions the same as their native lake, they seem to be more active and colorful.

If, however, your tap water is close to what their native lake provides, I wouldn't add anything. Confused yet? So am I. LOL

[jay733]

They are african, I'm thinking of adding Labidochromis Caeruleus (electric yellow Cichlids) and dwarf ram cichlids. But if do add salt, it wouldn't be good for my kuhli loaches would it? I rather not mess with it then if it's not necessary lol.

[DeputyChiefJR]

African Cichlids are not a community fish...They should be kept only with other African cichlid species...You really need to research this before you send many a fish to a violent end...

[liv2padl]

Labidochromis Caeruleus (electric yellow Cichlids) and dwarf ram cichlids. Labidochromis are East African cichlids. they need hard, alkaline water. Microgeophagus ramirezi are from South America. they need soft, acidic water. these fish are incompatible in that the Africans are quite aggressive while the ramirezi are shy and skittish. keeping these in the same tank with Africans is a recipe for their demise.

[jay733]

yeah I won't put any rams in but I researched the electric yellow cichlids and they are great community fish even though their african and one site even said they will get along specifically with loaches so that's good.

[tonytheboss1]

yeah I won't put any rams in but I researched the electric yellow cichlids and they are great community fish even though their african and one site even said they will get along specifically with loaches so that's good.

:cool: I'm not positive about the 'electric yellow cichlids' compatibility w/ 'loaches' in general. The 'kuhli' loach (pangio kuhlii) or 'coolie' hails from a different continent (Indonesia). Most 'cobitidae' (loaches) that I know of come from the waters of India, Malaysia, Indochina, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam & Thailand. Tropical regions yes but water conditions that are different than Lake Malawi I would think, no???? The fact that they are peaceful doesn't necessarilly mean they are compatible w/ 'yellow labs'. IMHO.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

yeah I won't put any rams in but I researched the electric yellow cichlids and they are great community fish even though their african and one site even said they will get along specifically with loaches so that's good.

I dont know where you researched that.... but that is bull. Yellow labs are Malawi cichlids and should ONLY be kept with other COMPATIBLE Malawi cichlids. They require a different water chemistry and diet then most other typical "community" fish. Also, they are aggressive. Dont be fooled by thier "peaceful" label, they are only peaceful by Malawi standards. They will readily kill another fish.

And not to mention khuli loaches look like a nice little wormy snack, and will be gobbled up in no time.

Have a look at this site if you are serious about keeping Malawis, much more research is needed: http://www.malawimayhem.com

-Diana

[DeRo316]

I definitely wouldnt say that yellow labs are community fish. I have 1 doing fine in my peacock tank and he doesnt seem any more aggressive than the others, but again thats a semi-aggressive tank. The venustus and azureus are a bit more aggressive than the lab even though they are smaller.

I could see how he could get mixed up though, I think some people refer to labs as "good community fish" when talking about african tanks but they arent good community fish when speaking in general.

[brichardiman]

they dont need it but its best to put some in to kill bacteria

[liv2padl]

they dont need it but its best to put some in to kill bacteria the addition of 'salt' to a freshwater tank will do absolutely nothing to kill bacteria. i'm not sure where you found this information but it is incorrect.

[daveedka]

For perspective, Lake Tang has the highest content of Na and Cl of all the rift lakes, and contains less than 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of NaCL (Salt).

The Cichlid Salt mixes are decent in most cases and as mentioned above provide several minerals that will help the fish. Just don't get the term "Cichlid Salts" confused with Salt (NaCl).

Dave

[DeRo316]

Anyone here use any cichlid salts or buffers? See any benefits?