Creating natural, functional cichlid display tanks

Stanzzzz7

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Well I hardly visit these days but I’ve just taken a peek and was surprised to see my old thread brought back to life.
Some nice set ups and fish posted.
It’s nice to see people keeping naturalistic set ups that show that some research and creativity.
 

Stanzzzz7

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I thought I was anally retentive back when this thread was 1st begun back in 2018.
Now in 2024, I will only keep cichlids (and other fish that are found in the same river system.
Some might think that puts severe limits of diversity, but that hardy feels confining where from where I sit
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Although I have only found 3 species of cichlids (so far) in this river system, other fish species more than make up for it.
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Everything from loach like gobies, and Chaetostoma Plecos, to shrimp, to any number of dithering tetras and live bearers keep the water column busy.
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Interesting fish selection Duane’s. As to be expected.
 

duanes

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Isla Taboga Panama via Milwaukee
One of the things I'm finding interesting, is how restricted some species can be.
In rivers of east central Panama, the Pacora, Utrive, Cabre Bre (all )south of the spine of the Cordillera Central mountains, I find only 2 cichlid species, Isthmoheros tuyrense, and Andinoacara coerleopunctous (at least so far).
It is not until the Rio Mamoni system, a few miles furtther east, does Darienheros calobrensis appear.

I suppose this may not be significant to many aquarists, but shows how a distance of only a few miles and the connection (or not of is rivers,) restrct species distribution, and may effect (in my case) a biotope tank.
Both the Isthmoheros, and Andinioacara, are found throughout the entire east/central region.
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But not until the edge of the Darien, does Darienheros appear.
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It may also be, that the velocity of flow, and topographical conditions in some rivers may support different species requirements.
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Above the more Central Cabre bre river
Below the Mamoni
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tiger15

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This is an old thread, and I commented on it back in 2018 starting on page 6 . My position hasn't changed. What appears natural in "Nature Aquariums" is actually very unnatural, as they tend to mimic landscape, garden, rock and wood arrangements that are pleasing to the eyes, but don't exist in nature. Functional can be totally unnatural too as a bunch of flower pots make good habitat for many cichlid. I considered my planted cichlid tanks natural looking and functional as species of diverse habitats get along fine and breed regularly, though the set ups are far from natural.



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