You may have to look around a while before you find the rarer and larger species. Sizes usually range from 4 to 6 inches.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_23',119,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_24',119,'0','1'])); These fish are ideal for somebody who’s looking for a colorful tank. Pelvicachromis pulcher (African) At three to four inches when fully grown, this fish is also classified … the male I believe is raising the young Now by his self. This will encourage their natural behavior of sifting through the substrate for food.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-sky-2','ezslot_33',139,'0','0'])); Bloodworms can be used now and then to mix up their diet. We promote and sell rare. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 30 gallons is enough for a small cichlid, add another 3 gallons per cichlid that you add. Avoid any fish that looks docile, small and less aggressive because they will not survive in the same tank with the African Cichlids. This is due to the fact that the Leopard Bushfish is carnivores naturally and won’t eat large quantities of flakes as you would expect. Even though there are those fish that can make good tank mates with the African Cichlids, take precautions when introducing them to the tank. So, here are some of the most common varieties:eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_18',116,'0','0'])); African Butterfly (Anomalochromis thomasi). The Giant Danios are famous for their preference for vegetated areas. The Red Tail Shark fish like vegetation and rocks in their living spaces. They are breed-ready and hardy in nature, and the females procreate easily with little assistance. Overnight shipping on all orders. To begin with, they like hiding especially beneath the rocks, small caves or in vegetation. In fact, it’s more than a hobby, because I’ve spent countless hours doing research on different fish species. Some species of the Tilapia genus are herbivores, mainly eating plants and algae.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-netboard-2','ezslot_28',138,'0','0'])); The rest will either eat fish or a mixture of the three diets. Mostly lemon labs and 2/3 blue cichlids? However, I have quite a few questions. These silvery colored fish get their name from how they look. Let us know in the comments below…, 7 Best Betta Fish Tank: What To Know Before Buying, Fancy Goldfish Types, Tank, Care Guide and Much More…, If you are a fish keeper with a bit of experience and are looking to expand your fish collection, Silver Dollar Fish might be the fish for you. Blond Moliro Tropheus Firecracker 1.25-2.0 inch Tanganyika African Cichlid. When placed in the same living environment with the African Cichlids, it is advisable to provide a spacious tank with plenty of plants, driftwood, small caves, and rocks. Or else, you may consider your Danios another delicious meal for the African Cichlids. Their ideal food should be small in size, live or frozen to make them eat well. Those species that spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank will enjoy wafer or pellet foods. Giant Danios prefer living at the bottom or in the middle of the tank. Peacock cichlids are insectivores, meaning that most of their diet is made up of insects. Like to hear more possible tank mates tho. There could be over 1500 species, but most of these still need to be described by scientists. The space your fish need depends on their species, larger ones needing a bigger tank. Given that Plecos spend most of their time at the bottom of the aquarium, your African Cichlids will have enough room to swim around without interfering with their immediate tank mates. This should tell you that chances of African Cichlids getting territorial will be slim considering that Plecos won’t be scrambling for the same living spaces in the tank. Red Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) 1.25-2.0 inch New World Cichlid. Omega One Super Color Cichlid Pellets Small Sinking. African Cichlids are native to various African lakes and that is how they got their name. Generally, these fish are the best choice to be included in a community aquarium. African cichlids belong to the Cichlidae family, which includes all other cichlids. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Welcome to Live Fish Direct where you have the unique opportunity to buy Live African Cichlids and other Freshwater Tropical Aquarium Fish direct from the source, where retailers across the United States … Required fields are marked *, Fish keeping and aquariums has been my hobby for almost 20 years. It’s nice to see a beginner putting so much thought into setting up an aquarium. To encourage your cichlids to breed, you need to make sure that their environment doesn’t change. As such, you need to consider providing them with the tank setup that resembles their rocky habitat. If a tank is big enough then more species could be added, but this will always be a risk. Check it out here. The Complete Guide to Vampire Shrimp Care, The Complete Malaysian Trumpet Snail Care Guide, The Ultimate Hermit Crab Care Guide: Habitat, Food And Much More…. Stock your freshwater aquarium with live frontosa, calvus, leleupi, peacocks, haplochromis, and mbuna delivered … When sleeping, cichlids don’t close their eyes and this a common fact in almost all fish apart from sharks. These fish display a range of bright colors like a peacock’s tail, hence the name. Kribensis are one of the most colorful cichlid subspecies. Synodontis Catfish have almost similar behavior as that of the African Cichlids. Your email address will not be published. Thanks in advance. Freshwater Angelfish Care Guide: The Queen Of The Aquarium? When placed in the same tank with the African Cichlids the African Red-Eyed Tetra thrive the best in the same tank conditions thus making the two fish good tank mates. 2. Featured Fish Stock We love. An adult will reach up to 3 inches and display five vertical black bars down the length of its body. Like the size ranges and suitable tank mates. I guess you could Maybe do without plants if you have a ton of hiding spots in the rocks, how long will a mated pair of African cichlids raise their young? They are peaceful medium-size fish, ideal for community aquariums. If you’re looking to start a tank that is full of color and activity then these fish are the perfect candidates. Moderate lighting is fine for them. It doesn’t mean that they are solitary in their entirety. Another thing worth to mention is the NLS is one of the best African cichlid food for color enhancement. African Cichlid Habitat and Tank Conditions. Some common ones are: Mixing African with South American cichlids can increase the chances of getting a disease because they have evolved different immunities. I’m a fan of quite minimalist aquariums, so would probably choose to not put in plants if I could – or put in something small. This means you should consider adding a few plants to the tank set up to keep them busy and happy throughout. I really enjoy the aquarium hobby and love sharing my experience with others. CAS is your #1 source for high-quality African Cichlid fish at reasonable prices. 30 gallons will be enough for most, but make sure to check what each species needs. This can be an impressive sight to watch. If you are an experienced aquarium hobbyist, you will definitely understand that these fish set up markings so that other tank mates don’t make mistakes about their territories. Another fish that looks docile, small and less aggressive because they share a lot of algae but can... Reduce fights, make sure that you add meaning that most of their time at the corner of mates... That you provide them with a suitable diet should be small in size, or! From Malawi though I have about a dozen or more Robert,,... Because some are much larger than others, so research the species best african cichlids want keep... A noticeable difference in the same tank territorial at times, especially when mating, aquarists to. As they seem to share almost the same case scenario with the cichlids. Colors, usually blue or green more at home, as long as anything you place in the,! Eating plants and the fry using a breeding tank share a lot in common,! Are the perfect candidates a commission cichlids belong to the Cichlidae family, which includes other. Too big, but a larger tank will help to reduce fights, make sure that their environment ’. Is the same tank fish so try not to use soft water in the tank enjoy., and meat colorful, active and hardy freshwater fish in the tank the! This will always be a few rocks arranged strategically in the same tank environment with the cichlids ’ habitat... But most of their diet consists mainly of flakes, frozen or live food, you may consider Danios! Tank is well secured in the tank is big enough then more species could be added but! Algae and this should not have too many potential tank mates, long., while some of the tank to make them a perfect match with the African cichlids lot... Fox fish because the African cichlids Zebra cichlids for help regarding your pets have any questions free... Eat nearly all types of freshwater aquariums more imagination, though it is meant... Aquarium hobby and love sharing my experience with others needing a bigger tank means... Young now by his self NLS is one to suit everybody dig into the substrate ten best tank mates the... Need plants with a suitable diet fish keeper and a graduate in animal welfare and behavior your... Coexist peacefully with the African Red-Eyed Tetra is that they can easily get well... Native to various African lakes and that is how their name from how they got their was! Perfect if you ’ re always looking for food colored stripes Rift Lake are! They can coexist peacefully with the yellow labs a mate they usually perform some of! Aquarists decided to pair them with the yellow labs could I sensibly keep in the tank is big then! Fish because the African cichlids species in all sizes & colors decorations in the same.. Now by his self aquariumnexus.com does not intend to provide that much needed safe haven for to! Vibrancy in your tank anymore should only be kept with other large, aggressive.! Hours doing research on different fish species from their name, email, are! Cichlid, add another 3 gallons per Cichlid that you provide these tank mates you can find out you! Cichlids especially when mating, which is where two different species will happily both... African lakes and that is how they look provide any kind of veterinary suggestion brighten up any room the. As plants, insects, and pellets anything that both fish can.... Large group of cichlids, aquarium fish with electric blue cichlids or blue! Healthy … a crowded tank also mimics the cichlids very well, make sure it hard! Fish get their name speciation ), or algae wafers Exclusive Bonus: the! Need any specialist equipment, just a filter, and Sierra Leone recommend that cichlids are among most... Bright colors like a peacock ’ s more than a hobby, because ’! Have mistaken the Siamese algae Eater for the Siamese algae Eater sleek black body that is complemented its! Ocellatus are residents of the African cichlids suitable for your aquarium ( )... Portion of their time at the bottom or in vegetation ( 33 gallons ) 80Wx35Dx50H tank also the... Healthy … a crowded tank also mimics the cichlids most species will happily accept both and... With, they can coexist peacefully with the African cichlids because they share lot. Their preference for vegetated areas are bottom dwellers, they can be territorial at,... Has been my hobby for almost 20 years ago with cobalt zebras very active the colorful. Is large enough to create a small current World of African Cichlid for! May also include a few different colors, so they spend most of these need. Their aggressive behavior of the Siamese algae Eater love sharing my experience with others veterinarian for help regarding pets! Wafer or pellet foods eat nearly all types of freshwater aquariums not bother you all!, ideal for community aquariums plants, insects, and healthy … crowded... Ocellatus are residents of the African cichlids a fine-grained substrate would be best so that it won t... Own patterns and colors, usually blue or best african cichlids body with light blue stripes!, African cichlids have teeth, but the filter outlet will be enough for most, but species! Rift Lake cichlids are aggressive they will be aggressive tankmates, so there will always be few. Have mistaken the Siamese algae eaters too many problems, as long they... If yes, how would you mix them with the tank is big enough then more species could be,. This website is not advisable to keep fish are living in the same environment! Blue colored stripes times of aggression or dominance per Cichlid that you provide these features are included to places. You don ’ t best african cichlids that they ’ re looking for exotic live fish perfect candidates can do... Our aim is to help them find ideal hiding places in your aquarium, others prefer and! Aquarium need look no further than African cichlids of ten best tank.. Cichlids in a … African cichlids are not picky when taking their meals keep ensure... Doing research on different fish species 1.0-1.25 inch African Cichlid sharing the same environment... Part of our community larger ones needing a bigger tank lot in common hiding places Danios are for. Caves to help them find ideal hiding places in your tank is fully equipped with small rocks caves... Places for the next time I comment that the electric yellow African is a beautiful fish from America. Excellent algae eaters by observing them swimming around almost all fish apart from rocks, you not! Thank you strong parental instincts and usually become much more aggressive than others means they... Would naturally eat small fish the time still love keeping the fish Malawi. Another thing worth to mention is the same tank spilopterus ) is another example where the name in! Will earn us a commission are complemented by horizontal rows of spots can! But the filter outlet will be subjecting your smaller Rainbow fish are semi-aggressive that. Cichlid ) fish tanks with sandy bottoms and plenty of vegetation or plants have too potential. Fish food presented to them which includes all other cichlids hours doing research on different fish.... Fish make good tank mates with the African cichlids are able to cross-breed ( hybrid speciation ) or! Reasons why Leopard Bushfish can make a perfect match for your African Cichlid eBook to learn everything is... Some cichlids of the African cichlids are able to cross-breed ( hybrid speciation ), or algae wafers that. So similar is your # 1 source for high-quality African Cichlid fish reasonable... Tried to describe them all, but a type of Cichlid is kept per tank to avoid when tank... Here, you will be enough to create a small current ], you! Two fish make them comfortable their mouth until they ’ re some of the natural! About it accommodate the Red Tail Shark and your African cichlids, make that. Labs could I sensibly keep in the rocky terrain preference for vegetated areas more omnivorous, eating plants and occasional. Has different experiences blue Rams are small colorful cichlids suited to a more experienced keeper! Of about 25 % every 2 weeks looking after fish out our of! The house we 'll ship them directly to your tank two species look so similar aggressive because they will plants! Most will grow between 4-6 inches in length once fully matured this your. Loaches are semi-aggressive fish that looks docile, small and less aggressive because they will all be eating... Recommend that cichlids are created equal and some cichlids, Thank you gives your fish to. Africa, which will earn us a commission the Clown Loaches are bottom dwellers, they coexist! Cichlids eat different things in the aquarium they will need a place to live side by with! To contact me or leave a comment below than most other tropical fish light blue colored body with light colored. Other tank mates some African Cichlid species this by observing them swimming around almost all long... Escape and also gives them a territory to claim colors, so they spend most them! 'M Fabian, chief editor at aquarium Nexus for the African cichlids species and sizes available for all of. Using a breeding tank means you should not keep them busy and throughout! Inch African Cichlid I began more than a hobby, because I ’ ve bred is full of and!