Right pH for African Cichlids?

[tukituki]

Hi, I have just got some jewel cichlids and want to make sure I have the right water conditions for them. I have read mixed things online, and the guy I got them from was not aware of his pH and didn't add anything to the water, they had been living in a really large community tank. I have my jewels in a species only tank, pH is currently 6.6. Should I be trying to get it closer to 7? Is there anything else I should be doing?

Thanks.

[ryanjury]

A PH of 6.6 is fine for jewel cichlids Most of the rift lake africans prefer a PH above 7 but most are pretty hardy as yours are not rift lake fish I wouldn't worry about doing anything to your PH as long as it is stable and the fish are happy and doing well.

[tukituki]

Thanks. They seem happy enough but are hiding quite a bit of the time. That's pretty normal with a new tank with a lot of fish though. Plenty of places to hide in their new tank. I'm glad I don't have to try and raise the pH. I think these guys are pretty hardy.

[ryanjury]

What other fish do you have in the tank?

[tukituki]

Just the jewels. We have no intention of putting any others in. We did initally think the jewels would go in our community tank but after reading quite a bit about them decided this would be a very, very, very bad idea!