Kerala Cichlids

11/03/2023

In the Middle East, the hobby of keeping Japanese koi fish has been thriving despite the harsh, hot climate that can reach up to 50 degrees in the summer. Despite this challenge,, Middle Eastern hobbyists have made a name for themselves in koi fish keeping. In 2019, they participated in and won almost 4 prizes at a Japanese koi fish show, demonstrating the quality of their koi. These achievements are impressive as they have successfully raised high-quality Japanese koi in a desert environment... Today's video aims to understand and analyze the methods used by these hobbyists to raise top-notch Japanese koi fish in the Middle East.
When it comes to Japanese koi fish keeping in the middle east we can classify the challenges into 4
1 temperature
2 sunlight
3 oxygenation
4 hibernation
To successfully keep cold water fish in the Middle East, controlling the water temperature is essential. One way to do this is to divide the year into 4 sections, each consisting of 3 months. These sections would be January, February, and March as section 1, April, May, and June as section 2, July, August, and September as section 3, and finally October, November, and December as section 4.
In the Middle East, temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius during the months of July, August, and September. During this time, koi fish keepers aim to maintain a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius in their koi fish ponds. As the temperature dips from October onwards, they gradually reduce the temperature of the pond by 3 degrees each month, with the temperature dropping to 25 degrees Celsius in October, 21 degrees Celsius in November, and 17 degrees Celsius in December.
In Dubai, temperatures can drop as low as 16 degrees Celsius in January, when the koi fish pond temperature is further reduced to around 10 degrees Celsius. This is done to maintain optimal conditions for the fish. As the temperature rises in February, the water temperature in the tank is gradually increased by 3 degrees, reaching 18 degrees Celsius in March. In April, the temperature is raised to 21 degrees Celsius, increasing to 23 degrees in May and 26 degrees in June. Finally, in July, the temperature reaches 28 degrees Celsius. This cycle is repeated to ensure that the koi fish are kept in the best possible conditions.

Sunlight
Koi fish, as outdoor pond fish, face two challenges from direct sunlight. Firstly, increased sunlight exposure can result in increased algae growth, making the koi not so appealing which can be prevented by using UV filters in the pond. Secondly, excessive sunlight exposure can cause burns on the skin and fade the colour of the koi fish, reducing their quality. This can be avoided by providing shade for the pond to block direct sunlight from hitting the koi. Providing shade for the outdoor pond helps to cool it down by blocking the extreme rays of the sun, reducing the chances of water temperature increase to a significant extent.

Oxygenation.
The third challenge faced by koi fish keepers is fulfilling the high oxygen demand of the fish. Koi fish require a lot of dissolved oxygen in their aquarium water, and as they grow bigger, their oxygen needs increase. Additionally, rising water temperatures can lead to a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. To counteract this, reducing the water temperature in the tank to 28 degrees or lower can help maintain a stable level of dissolved oxygen, especially in larger outdoor ponds in the Middle East.
Hibernation.
The difference between a regular koi and a champion koi lies in the shape and size of the fish. For a koi to be considered prize-winning, its shape and size must be proportional. Proportion is more crucial than colour in determining the quality of a koi. The secret to attaining the correct proportion depends on the process of acclimation. If the water temperature becomes too high, it increases the metabolic rate of the fish, causing it to become elongated and lose its proper proportion. To maintain the torpedo shape of a koi, the water temperature of the pond should be reduced to 10-14 degrees during the winter season, slowing the metabolic rate of the fish for about a month.
My recommendation is to adopt the Middle Eastern style of koi fish keeping instead of the Japanese method when keeping koi fish in Kerala. The climate in Kerala is characterized by high temperatures during the summer months and a lack of winter, which is more similar to the weather in the Middle East. Based on the success rate of koi fish keeping in the Middle East, it makes sense to adopt their strategies, which are more science-based rather than being dependent solely on the weather and nature like traditional Japanese koi fish keeping methods. I agree, by following the Middle Eastern koi fish-keeping strategy, it is possible to cultivate champion koi fish in Kerala.

https://youtu.be/e-hoU3o1YY4

In the Middle East, the hobby of keeping Japanese koi fish has been thriving despite the harsh, hot climate that can reach up to 50 degrees in the summer. De...

11/03/2023

Plecos, also known as Suckermouth catfish, are commonly recommended in the aquarium hobby in Kerala, due to a lot of misinformation. Beginners often rely on advice from friends and pet shop workers who suggest that Plecos are excellent for cleaning the aquarium by consuming all the biowaste produced by other fish in the tank. They are also touted as effective at preventing algae growth on the glass of the fish tank, leading to a reduction in aquarium maintenance.
However, this information is largely incorrect and misleading. While it is true that Suckermouth catfish consume algae and can help to keep the aquarium glass clean, they cannot survive by eating the biowaste produced by other fish in the tank.

I am creating this video to emphasize the importance of banning the Plecos or suckermouth catfish in Kerala. To better understand why they need to be banned, let's classify their life cycle into four stages: 1 month to 6 months, 6 months to a year, one year to one and a half years, and over two years.

During the first stage, which lasts from one month to 6 months, the suckerfish primarily feeds on decaying aquarium plants and algae growing in the fish tank. They may have little interest in fish food during this stage. Once they complete 6 months, the suckerfish enters the second stage, which is the dominating stage. At this point, the fish grows rapidly and becomes more interested in fish food. During this time, the sucker fish can reach a length of up to 15 cm.

In the next stage, which lasts from one year to one and a half years, the suckermouth catfish becomes increasingly dependent on fish food and produces more biowaste in the fish tank. In the aquarium hobby, it is well-known that fish that consume more fish food also produce more biowaste. As a result, Plecos or suckermouth catfish produce more bio waste in the fish tank than any other fish. This makes them counterproductive for a healthy fish tank environment, leading to ammonia spikes and poor water quality. This, in turn, forces aquarium hobbyists to perform more frequent water changes.

At the final stage of their life cycle, suckermouth catfish can grow up to 25 cm in length. At this point, most aquarium hobbyists recognize that the fish has outgrown the tank and will move it to a small pond or a larger cement tank. However, when plecos are moved from a completely controlled environment to a semi-controlled pond, they immediately begin to dominate the base of the pond. As fishkeepers, we should be aware that the strength of any pond or local river system lies in the base of that water body. Once plecos start to dominate the base of a local pond, they quickly consume the aquarium plants and other plant matter at the base of the pond.

Meanwhile, the actual damage is done to the local pond's ecosystem. There may be many egg-laying and live-bearing fish species that maintain the balance of the pond. Most egg-laying fish lay their eggs on the pond base, among the aquarium plants and vegetation. Once sucker mouth catfish establish themselves in the pond's base system, they easily target and consume the eggs laid by these fish, which are an easy source of protein for plecos to aid their growth. This eventually results in the extinction of egg-laying fishes in the pond, which in turn causes issues for the live-bearing fish. As these fish have fewer algae to feed on due to the shortage of it in the pond, they too eventually become extinct, leaving the pond with no fish and a drop in water quality. As a result, the pond becomes of no use.
In some instances, aquarium hobbyists release their plecos or suckermouth catfish into natural waterways like rivers or streams, rather than in semi-controlled environments like ponds. Once in these natural waterways, the suckermouth catfish rapidly establish themselves at the base of the river and consume the eggs of egg-laying fish. As these suckerfish continue to establish themselves more and more in the river streams of Kerala, native fish species like karimeen can become completely eradicated from the region. This can have significant financial and ecological impacts. With the decline of fish populations in the waterways, mosquito larvae will complete their life cycles, leading to an increase in deadly diseases like malaria that can rapidly spread throughout Kerala. Additionally, the presence of pollutants and other harmful organisms in the water can render it unsafe for drinking.
After comprehending the detrimental effects of fully grown suckermouth catfish in streams and rivers, the governments of Karnataka and Telangana have prohibited the sale of suckermouth catfish within their states. Even the country of Bangladesh has banned this fish. Therefore, my personal recommendation is for Kerala to also impose a ban on suckermouth catfish, which will ultimately prevent the trade of plecos in aquarium pet shops.
https://youtu.be/PDIdYeAfLjA

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Plecos, also known as Suckermouth catfish, are commonly recommended in the aquarium hobby in Kerala, due to a lot of misinformation. Beginners often rely on ...

11/03/2023

Many newcomers to the aquarium hobby may struggle to successfully keep African cichlids due to a lack of knowledge about these fascinating fish. One reason for this is the common misconception that keeping African cichlids is similar to other types of fish, such as tropical fish like guppies or mollies, Central American cichlids like Oscar fish, or even cold water fish like Japanese koi. However, the truth is that African cichlids are entirely different from these other fish. One of the main differences is that African cichlids are primarily alkaline water fish that prefer a pH value above 8. This means that the water in their aquarium needs to contain more minerals than other types of fish. In fact, the presence of minerals in the water is what gives African cichlids their stunning and vibrant colour patterns.
Before delving into the world of African cichlid fish keeping, it is important to understand who typically keeps these fish as pets. Fish keeping, as a hobby, reaches its most refined state with the maintenance of marine aquariums or reef tank aquariums. However, setting up a saltwater aquarium can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour that requires extensive knowledge and expertise. For those on a budget who cannot afford the expense of maintaining a marine aquarium, African cichlid aquariums are a great alternative. Another similarity between African cichlids and marine aquariums is that marine aquariums are typically set up to house vibrant, colourful fish that thrive in alkaline water environments. The seawater in marine aquariums contains minerals that contribute to the fish's stunning colours, much like how the presence of minerals in alkaline water contributes to the vibrant color patterns of African cichlids.
In my personal experience, I suggest conducting thorough research on African cichlid fish and their aquarium setup before diving into the hobby. As one begins researching, they will discover that African cichlids are primarily classified based on the lakes they originate from, such as Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika. Among these, the most popular African cichlids are from Lake Malawi, and they are typically categorized as Mbuna cichlids, Peacock cichlids, and Hap cichlids. Although all three types of cichlids are from the same lake, their diets and behaviour differ. Mbuna cichlids are predominantly herbivorous, Peacock cichlids are omnivorous, and Hap cichlids are predatory fish that hunt down Peacock cichlids in the wild.
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African cichlids are entirely different from other types of fish and require a different setup. Here are some important considerations when keeping African cichlids in an aquarium:

1.Water parameters: African cichlids are primarily alkaline water fish that prefer a pH value above 8 The water in their aquarium needs to contain more minerals than other types of fish, which gives them their stunning and vibrant colour patterns.

2.Research: Conduct thorough research on African cichlid fish and their aquarium setup before diving into the hobby. African cichlids are primarily classified based on the lakes they originate from, such as Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika. and it's important to understand the differences between the various types of African cichlids.

3. African cichlid aquariums are a great alternative for those on a budget who cannot afford the expense of maintaining a marine aquarium.

Diet: Different types of African cichlids have different diets and behaviors. For example, Mbuna cichlids are predominantly herbivorous, Peacock cichlids are omnivorous, and Hap cichlids are predatory fish that hunt down Peacock cichlids in the wild. So Mixing different types of African cichlids, such as Peacock cichlids and Mbuna cichlids, can be challenging due to their different dietary needs.

Tank size: African cichlids need a tank that is appropriately sized to allow for their growth and provide adequate space for swimming and establishing territories. Underestimating their growth potential can lead to increased stress and even death among weaker fish.

Aggression: African cichlids can be aggressive, and it's important to research the specific needs of the type of African cichlid you plan to keep and ensure that your tank is appropriately sized to prevent increased stress and even death among weaker fish.

Oxygenation: African cichlids are active swimmers, and it's crucial to ensure that their tank is well oxygenated.

Male-only tank setup: When keeping Peacock cichlids, it's essential to establish a male-only tank setup to prevent the alpha male fish from attracting all the other male cichlids in the tank, which can result in the death of all other Peacock cichlids.

By understanding these factors and providing appropriate care, you can help ensure the health and longevity of your African cichlids.
https://youtu.be/zRRJSy_cYoA

Many newcomers to the aquarium hobby may struggle to successfully keep African cichlids due to a lack of knowledge about these fascinating fish. One reason f...

10/03/2023