How to Care for Cichlids
  • 1. What is the ideal temperature range for most Cichlid species?
A) 50-60°F
B) 85-95°F
C) 60-70°F
D) 72-82°F
  • 2. What is the general pH range preferred by African Cichlids?
A) 8.8-9.2
B) 7.0-7.5
C) 7.8-8.6
D) 6.0-7.0
  • 3. What type of filtration is generally recommended for Cichlid tanks?
A) Minimal Filtration
B) Overfiltration
C) No Filtration
D) Underfiltration
  • 4. What food type should form the base of a Cichlid's diet?
A) Goldfish flakes
B) Live Blackworms
C) Lettuce
D) High-quality Cichlid pellets
  • 5. Why is regular water changes important for Cichlids?
A) Heats the tank
B) Changes the pH
C) Keeps the water sparkling clean
D) Removes nitrates and replenishes minerals
  • 6. What is a common sign of aggression in Cichlids?
A) Fin nipping
B) Hiding in plants
C) Rapid swimming
D) Increased appetite
  • 7. What type of substrate is best for burrowing Cichlids?
A) Large gravel
B) Bare bottom
C) Marbles
D) Sand
  • 8. What is the purpose of rocks in a Cichlid tank?
A) Add oxygen to the water
B) Reduce the pH
C) Provide hiding places and territories
D) Increase water hardness
  • 9. What is the recommended quarantine period for new Cichlids?
A) 4-6 weeks
B) 1-2 days
C) No quarantine needed
D) 1 week
  • 10. What disease is commonly associated with poor water quality in Cichlid tanks?
A) Swim bladder disease
B) Dropsy
C) Fin rot
D) Ich (white spot disease)
  • 11. What does 'mbuna' mean?
A) Plant Eater
B) Open Water Swimmer
C) Sand Sifter
D) Rock Dweller
  • 12. What should you do if a Cichlid is being bullied by other fish?
A) Add more food
B) Turn off the lights
C) Re-arrange the tank decor or remove the aggressor
D) Ignore it, they will sort it out
  • 13. What water parameter is essential to monitor for African Cichlids?
A) Nitrate levels
B) Copper levels
C) KH (carbonate hardness)
D) Phosphate levels
  • 14. What is the purpose of adding aquarium salt to a Cichlid tank?
A) Acts as a fertilizer for plants
B) Removes chlorine
C) Lowers the pH
D) Helps with osmoregulation and reduces stress
  • 15. How often should you perform water changes on a Cichlid tank?
A) No water changes needed
B) 10% monthly
C) 25-50% weekly
D) 50% monthly
  • 16. What is a 'buffer' in aquarium terms?
A) A type of food
B) Substance that resists changes in pH
C) A decoration
D) A type of filter
  • 17. What behavior is common during Cichlid breeding?
A) Mouthbrooding
B) Burrowing
C) Hibernation
D) Schooling
  • 18. Why are plants often difficult to keep in Cichlid tanks?
A) Plants compete for food
B) Plants attract parasites
C) Cichlids may uproot or eat them
D) Plants lower the pH too much
  • 19. What is the best way to clean algae off the glass of a Cichlid tank?
A) Soap and water
B) Vinegar
C) Bleach
D) Algae scraper or magnet
  • 20. What is the purpose of a protein skimmer in a freshwater Cichlid tank?
A) Stabilizes pH
B) Adds oxygen to the water
C) Removes organic waste before it decomposes
D) Removes nitrates
  • 21. Which of these is a common ailment affecting Cichlids?
A) Mad Cow Disease
B) Hole-in-the-head disease
C) Bird Flu
D) Swine Flu
  • 22. Which type of Cichlids are less aggressive and better suited for community tanks?
A) Malawi Cichlids
B) South American Cichlids
C) Tanganyikan Cichlids
D) Victorian Cichlids
  • 23. What is important to consider when choosing tank mates for Cichlids?
A) Price and availability
B) Region of origin only
C) Color and pattern
D) Temperament and size
  • 24. What does 'nitrification' refer to in the context of an aquarium?
A) Conversion of ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate
B) Conversion of nitrate to ammonia
C) Adding beneficial bacteria
D) Removing nitrates
  • 25. Why is it important to cycle a new aquarium before adding Cichlids?
A) To heat the water
B) To establish beneficial bacteria
C) To add minerals
D) To make the water clear
  • 26. What type of lighting is generally recommended for Cichlid tanks?
A) High-intensity plant grow lights
B) No lighting at all
C) UVB reptile lighting
D) Standard aquarium lighting
  • 27. What do you call a Cichlid that eats primarily plants?
A) Herbivore
B) Omnivore
C) Carnivore
D) Insectivore
  • 28. What is the purpose of adding crushed coral or aragonite to an African Cichlid tank?
A) To provide food for the Cichlids
B) To add color to the substrate
C) To buffer the pH and increase hardness
D) To lower the pH
  • 29. What is a symptom of Malawi bloat?
A) Brightening of colors
B) Rapid swimming
C) Swollen abdomen and loss of appetite
D) Increased aggression
  • 30. When breeding Cichlids, what is the purpose of a breeding tank?
A) To increase the pH drastically
B) To scare off predators
C) To make the water colder
D) To provide a safe and controlled environment
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