How to Put a Columbian Shark in With African Cichlids

African cichlids and Columbian sharks are not an ideal match for a freshwater aquarium. Cichlids are notoriously aggressive fish that do best with other cichlids. They prefer water pH of 7.4 to 8.4 and temperature between 74 and 82 degrees F. Columbian sharks are actually catfish that tolerate freshwater only as juveniles and do much better in a brackish aquarium. They prefer pH of 6.8 to 8.0. In adulthood, they live in brackish or marine water. They are a predatory fish with venomous dorsal spines and can reach one to two feet long.

Things You'll Need

  • Large tank (55 gallons or larger)
  • Rocks and caves
  • Rift lakes salts
  • Rift lakes cichlids
  • Three or more Columbian sharks
  • Brackish or marine aquarium (75 gallons or larger)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an aquarium that is at least 55 gallons. Larger is better. Both African cichlids and Columbian sharks grow large and are active swimmers.

    • 2

      Set up the tank with plenty of rocks and caves for hiding spots to deter bullying.

    • 3

      Establish a pH as close to 7.5 as possible, with a temperature between 75 and 80 degrees F. This can be accomplished with chemical additives such as Rift lakes salts, available online or in some pet stores to create proper pH and hardness. Do not mistake this for marine salt.

    • 4

      Carefully choose cichlids from the African Rift lakes (Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria.) Cichlids from this region of Africa will be best acclimated to the pH and fast current necessary for Columbian sharks. Usually, cichlids from different lakes and fish of different sizes do not get along. Male cichlids might fight for domination, so limit the number of male fish in an aquarium or have a higher number of females.

    • 5

      Add three or more Columbian sharks in the aquarium. They are schooling fish and become quite stressed when kept singly.

    • 6

      Acclimate and move the Columbian sharks to a brackish or marine aquarium when they reach 6 inches, or grow larger than your cichlids. The shark will eat any smaller fish in the tank. The larger the tank the better, but it should be at least 75 gallons.