Used to have Discus for 5 years. I am thinking to switch my tank to saltwater fish but I am afraid that I don't have enough time to take care of it and too difficult. (My dog now take the pripority) Would African Cichlid be much easier compared to saltwater.
Answers:
There really is no absolute answer on this and it greatly depends on your willingness to learn. Saltwater fish, in general, are not difficult if you know what you want and can become familiarized with what is needed. Keeping dams and clownfish are basically idiot proof for the most part. However people tend to screw up once they are start introducing corals, exotic marine fish and etc. without knowing about them.
African cichlids, you probably mean African Rift Valley (ARV)cichlids, are not all that difficult as long as you are familiar with the species of cichlid you are placing into a tank. A lot of new comers to ARV cichlids buy an assortment of colored fish and find out that their "yellow, black stripe" cichlid killed all of the other blue, red and etc. cichlids. You can't just mix any species together and research is required before making a purchase.
ARV habitats are nearly opposite to discus habitats so it shouldn't be difficult for you to do this considering your experience.
Saltwater tanks are more difficult to set up, but stay cleaner longer. See you local fish store for more extensive information.
i know salt water fish cost like 3-4 times as much
African Cichlids are super easy!
We have a 120 gallon tank with them.
Saltwater on the other hand is more difficult in the sense that you have to monitor the salinity in addition to the other aspects of fish water.
Having been into aquariums for over ten years, I think I can give you some pointers. I'd stay with African's for the following reasons.
1) Africans are more durable and less expensive than salt water fish.
2) Africans can endure greater changes in water quality and temperature than salt water fish.
3) Africans require MUCH less maintenance than salt water fish.
4) Buying salt water fish encourages the trade and harvest of wild caught fish.thereby damaging reefs. (Yes, in some places they use cyanide to stun the fish for easy harvest, killing thousands of other fish in the process.)
Hope this helps!
The Africans are your best choice. The maintenance on a salt water tank takes three times as much time and up keep than a fresh water tank. Also, the Cichlids are very exciting to watch. They are very aggressive, love to fight and come in a wide assortment of colors. With a few rocks, plants and pieces of wood, they will each claim their territory
.let the fun begin.
save youeself a lot off time and get a goldfish
african cichlids are easier, while they come from all different lakes, ie. victoria,mawlei,tangankiyan.
While each has different ph levels and different deapths, most of them will be ok in 8.0 ph. most west african cichlids, like kribensis can handle low phs like 7.0
please check out http://www.forumsvibe.com/betta/index.ph.
bettachris is a fish expert for 13 years, and is more than happy to answer.
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African cichlids much easier and much more fun. when they are in their breeding season you'll have a lots of fun specially when you find out the mother is holding its babies in her mouth, that is an AMAZING thing of nature in the living room of your house. i hope this comment will help you
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