African Cichlid – Lion Head Cutie 6cm
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Description
xLionhead Cichlid: Introduction and Care Guide
✅Introduction
The Lionhead Cichlid (Steatocranus casuarius), also known as the Buffalo Head Cichlid, is a fascinating and distinct species native to the fast-flowing rivers of the Congo Basin in Africa. Recognized for the pronounced hump on their heads, these cichlids are known for their unique appearance and interesting behaviors.
✅ Appearance
- **Size**: They typically grow to about 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) in length.
- **Color**: Generally gray to brown with blue iridescent spots, especially prominent on their fins.
- **Distinct Features**: The males have a prominent nuchal hump on their head, giving them the characteristic "lionhead" appearance.
✅Tank Requirements
- **Tank Size**: A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended for a pair.
- **Water Parameters**:
- Temperature: 75-81°F (24-27°C)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Hardness: 5-15 dGH
- **Filtration**: Strong filtration is necessary to mimic their natural, fast-flowing habitat.
- **Substrate**: Sand or fine gravel is ideal.
- **Decor**: Provide plenty of hiding spots using rocks, caves, and driftwood. They enjoy exploring and establishing territories within these structures.
✅Diet
Lionhead Cichlids are omnivorous. Their diet should include:
- High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes as a staple.
- Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
- Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach or peas.
✅Behavior and Tank Mates
- **Temperament**: Generally peaceful but can be territorial, especially during breeding.
- **Tank Mates**: Suitable tank mates include other peaceful cichlids, larger tetras, and robust bottom-dwellers like Synodontis catfish. Avoid very small or very aggressive fish.
✅Breeding
- **Breeding Setup**: Maintain optimal water conditions and provide plenty of caves and hiding spots for spawning.
- **Spawning**: The female lays eggs in a cave or crevice, which the male then fertilizes. Both parents guard the eggs and fry. The fry can be fed finely crushed flakes or baby brine shrimp.
✅Maintenance
- Perform regular water changes (20-30% weekly) to maintain water quality.
- Monitor water parameters regularly to ensure they remain within the ideal range.
- Keep an eye out for signs of stress or illness, such as loss of color, lack of appetite, or abnormal behavior.
By providing a well-maintained environment and a balanced diet, Lionhead Cichlids can thrive and add a unique charm to your aquarium.
Note:
We can’t ship Livestock and Live Plants to WA and TAS due to State Restrictions. Kindly check out our DOA and other policies before purchase!!
What to Expect from Us
All Aquatic plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee!!
Shipping and DOAs Policy
xImportant Notes:
Our goal is to use the fastest delivery service possible, although the shipping fee may be higher, we always want our customers to be satisfied and make sure the livestock arrives at your door safe and healthy.
** DOA POLICY UPDATED AUGUST 02 2023
- For any livestock, you have in your order. If there is any dead problem during transportation. You can send us an email and the video of you receiving the package, if there is more than 50% damage, we will send a replacement, and if less than 50% we will send store credit.
** Area do not ship.
- Western Australia.
- Tasmania.
- Northern Territory.
** Shipping Unit.
- Startrack premium for livestock and Auspost for others.
- StarTrack Company - StarTrack best courier in Australia (StarTrack Courier Service company of Australia's post office).
- Auspost – Australia Post (Australia's national postal service provider).
- We only ship from Monday to Wednesday.
- Any orders you make from noon Wednesday onward will be processed the next Monday.
- All orders from Monday to noon of Wednesday will be shipped out in the same week.
- For any livestock you have in your order, we will ship them via express services such as Toll and Startrack Premium. This will usually take 24 - 48 hours to reach you. (after leaving our workshop)
** How long is the shipping time for livestock?
- Shipping time is 24-48 hours for live goods.
** For other shipping.
- If you choose express shipping will be 1-3 days for business and 5-7 days for standard shipping.
Micro Aquatic Care Instructions
xOur shop always delivers healthy shrimp and fish with the best color of their own.
However, the shrimp and fish you receive may be discolored and the reason of this issue is strong vibration during transportation and they're not be fed during the transport period
To handle this problem we highly recommend to you:
🚩Let the fish relax helps them adapt to any changes in water temperature in the tank. Also prevents pH shock - an imbalance between the water in the shop tank and your tank.
🚩Place the fish bag in a cool, corner, and dark place. Prevent the bag from being bumped, slipped, or dropped. This'll give your new fish a good recovery and acclimatization after a shaky ride from the shop to your home.
🚩Feed your old fish first to distract them, preventing them from bullying your new fish.
🚩Your new aquarium tank should have a pH of zero ammonia and chlorine before adding new fish.
🚩Turn off the lights, reduce the glare in the room, or limit the light entering the aquarium. This will help the new fish not be stressed.
- Providing them with excellent water quality, giving them a good environment, and feeding them.
- Fish that live in exceptional-quality water conditions shine brighter and are far more vibrant
- Use water conditioner
- A water conditioner is essential for a healthy tank and colorful, lively fish.
- Provide good filtration
- Perform weekly water changes
- Perform weekly maintenance
- Provide correct temperatures:
- Aquarium size
- Safe retreats
- Lighting
- Tank mates
- Species numbers
- Color Enhancing Fish Food
- Color Enhancing Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs, And Other Things:
- Bell peppers
- Bok choy
- Kale
- Winter squash
- Broccoli
- Collards
- Pumpkin
- Mustard greens
- Crushed and Powdered Herbs are a good diet supplement:
- Turmeric
- Garlic
- Basil
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Healthy social environment-Making sure the social environment is balanced
- Premium fish food – using a variety of foods provides your fish with essential vitamins and minerals, keeping them healthy
- Spirulina, for example, is a type of algae known to enhance pigment in fish naturally
- Bloodworms, brine shrimp, and krill are other natural color-enhancing foods.
- LED lighting – available in many color spectrums, LED lighting is another way of enhancing fish hue.
- Vitamin supplements – adding supplements to your fish diet can also help improve their coloring.
- Using the Art of Color to Enhance Fish Pigmentation in an Aquarium
- Contrasting colors in an aquarium is a great way to make the tank ‘pop’ with life and vitality
- Choosing the gravel, plants, and decorations for the tank
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