9 Best Types Of Cichlids For Your Aquarium

Cichlids are merely in all probability the most typical aquarium fish out there available on the market. Nonetheless, with so many alternative cichlid types available on the market, it might be onerous to know which ones are biggest to your tank set-up.

Not at all concern! On this text, we’ll break down all of the varieties, their advantages and disadvantages, and make it simpler to to understand which may very well be the ideally suited match for you.

Let’s dive in.

What Are Cichlids?

Cichlids are pretty the energetic, sturdy fish species, and they also’ve been a selected favorite of freshwater aquarium followers via the years.

Over 3,000 subspecies of cichlid fish are recognized to exist worldwide, with an growing variety of subspecies being discovered yearly – making them an important family of fish in existence. As a consequence of this, cichlids can can be found all types of physique shapes, sizes, colorations, and patterns.

Some freshwater cichlids, considerably the tilapia, are eaten as meals, whereas many alternative subspecies are beloved by fish hobbyists. Most likely probably the most notable of this latter class embrace the angelfish, oscars, and discus cichlids.

Cichlids are bigger and far more aggressive than tetras, guppies, gouramis, or different types of tropical fish. As such, it could be smart to depart them throughout the palms of additional expert fish keepers.

They might even be pretty territorial, notably as soon as they pair off and begin to spawn. Positive subspecies may be capable of tolerate tank mates, whereas others should be saved in separate or very aggression-friendly tanks.

No matter their meaner tendencies, cichlids have confirmed themselves to be pretty personable as successfully. They readily greet their keepers and beg them for meals when it’s time to eat.

You should purchase many varieties of African cichlids at LiveAquaria, an internet site that delivers prime quality aquatic life correct to the doorstep. You may additionally purchase various of the additional widespread cichlid subspecies at your native Petco, Petsmart, or fish retailer.

Let’s take a look at 9 of the easiest cichlids, so that you probably can larger decide which cichlid species is finest for you!

The 9 Widespread Cichlid Types

Kribensis Cichlid

Kribensis are in all probability probably the most vibrant cichlid subspecies. Their our our bodies are made up of a good looking myriad of colors which will give your tank set-up extra flare.

They’re a extremely hardy subspecies, capable of adapting to most aquarium conditions with out difficulty. These fish thrive in freshwater rivers, so it’s biggest to rearrange your aquarium to reflect this.

It’s essential to additionally ask the pet retailer, private vendor, or on-line vendor the place to obtain the fish to clarify the conditions your kribensis had been beforehand saved in. It’s going to assure they’re dwelling in an environment that is every comfortable and acquainted to them.

Many aquarium followers have debated whether or not or not or not kribensis can have tank mates. Whereas it’s true this subspecies shall be aggressive all through spawning and so they’re more likely to peck on the fins of slower fish, there are aquarists who argue that they’ve effectively saved a kribensis in a neighborhood tank as successfully.

It’s ultimately as a lot as you whether or not or not it’s worthwhile to give your kribensis cichlids tank mates. Merely perceive that they are bottom dwellers, so whenever you do want to present them mates, ensure they’re fish who inhabit the upper components of the tank.

Mr. Cichlid

The mbuna cichlids are among the many many additional brightly-colored cichlid subspecies available on the market. They originated in Lake Malawi, an African good lake that is considered the ninth largest lake on the earth.

Since this lake rests over energetic tectonic plates, the water has extreme pH, GH (widespread hardness), mineral, and KH (carbonate hardness) ranges.

As such, they thrive in tanks with very onerous water and rocky decor that is lime-based or calcareous. These decorations can maintain mineral ranges extreme, along with current good places for them to cowl.

They must be saved in huge groups of as a lot as 20 fish per tank, with a minimal of two females to every male. Nonetheless, whenever you don’t have to breed these fish, it’s smart to keep up this tank solely female.

Male mbunas are notoriously territorial and may defend that territory from one thing they see as a menace – notably completely different males.

It’s biggest to introduce all your mbuna cichlids on the an identical time, as older members of the tank will probably gang up on new mbunas you introduce later.

Parrot Cichlid

As their determine implies, parrot cichlids have beaked heads that make them seem like parrots, with their mouths regularly open.

This uncommon trait is usually on account of their tooth sitting deep of their throat, which could make it robust for them to eat complete meals.

They’ve rounded, diamond-shaped our our bodies and large eyes that make them seem additional emotive than different types of fish.

The usual coloration of these cichlids is blood purple, though they might even be gray or yellow. For many who spot a parrot cichlid that is an unusual shade, resembling purple or inexperienced, chances are high you may want to hunt the recommendation of with the breeder. It’s potential that your fish has been dyed.

Many aquarists have normally toyed with the breeding of this already hybrid species, for lots of completely completely different causes – most of which are magnificence in nature. Whether or not or not or not it’s ethical to breed this subspecies into existence is a level of competitors amongst aquarists – and has been for just a few years.

As a consequence of this limitless experimentation, these cichlids are uniquely delicate to their environments. There is no such thing as a such factor as a pure habitat from which they originated, so it might be robust to know the very best parameters for them to reside in.

It’s actually useful to look into how the breeder raised them after which copy their methods. If that’s not potential, you probably can on a regular basis place them in a giant freshwater tank; most will adapt with out excessive trouble.

The widespread parrot cichlid requires 30 gallons of space, with an additional 10 gallons for every extra fish you add to that tank.

They’re pretty shy, every spherical new owners and completely different fish, so current them with ample space to swim and quite a few hiding places. These can embrace logs, caves, and decorative dens, to permit them to ease into their new surroundings commonly.

This video explains additional about cichild types.

Angelfish

Angelfish nonetheless keep in all probability the most typical cichlids amongst aquarists – even in the mean time.

The Pterophyllum scalare subspecies, particularly, had been bred extensively to develop many nice colors and patterns.

Reverse to many sources (and even some aquarium retailers), these aren’t small cichlids, and they also should be saved in groups of 5 or 6 fish.

You must a comparatively huge tank to accommodate your angelfish’s superior social constructions, as successfully any accompanying tank mates it’s worthwhile to share that exact same space.

The right tank mates to your angelfish must be these which don’t nip or fight, as they’re gradual swimmers. Likewise, tank mates shouldn’t be terribly energetic or too small.

Discus

Discus are well-known for his or her lovely patterns of inexperienced, purple, brown, or blue, which stretch alongside their full our our bodies. Any brighter variations you could even see are sometimes the outcomes of selective breeding by aquarists; these do not exist throughout the wild.

Discus will thrive in an Amazon biotope set-up, with very warmth water that will also be snug and acidic. Not all crops will acknowledge these parameters, nonetheless, so choose aquarium crops with warning.

The an identical shall be talked about for choosing applicable tank mates as successfully.

Hatchetfish from the genus Carnegiella make superb tank mates for discus. They’re pretty calm and will not reside within the an identical water layer as your cichlids.

Oscar

Oscar cichlids are greater than the widespread cichlid, and have larger-than-life personalities and appearances to match. This subspecies could also be generally known as the tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, or marble cichlid.

Throughout the wild, oscars are generally dark-colored with yellow-ringed spots or ocelli on the caudal peduncle and the dorsal fin.

These ocelli are advisable to limit fin-nipping by piranhas, a species that is normally found alongside these fish throughout the wild.

They are going to actually change their coloration at will to intimidate completely different fish. Usually, this solely happens if a abroad fish has by probability crossed into their territory or within the occasion that they’re in struggle.

Juvenile oscars will normally have completely completely different colorations from their older counterparts, generally preferring to have white and orange wavy stripes and observed heads.

Sadly, there are a selection of misconceptions about oscar care, that are generally handed spherical and will considerably damage this species. We hope to clarify that proper right here.

Many people think about that set-ups as small as 30 gallons are sufficient for these cichlids. Whereas it could be sufficient for youthful oscars, they will shortly outgrow this tank as soon as they attain their full dimension of 13.5 inches.

As such, your tank must be a minimal of 120 gallons, notably whenever you plan to keep up a pair of them to breed. You must arrange a robust filtration system as successfully, as these busy creatures will produce ample waste.

Oscars are pretty the energetic subspecies. They will try their biggest to uproot any crops you set of their tank, along with switch spherical driftwood and rocks. Maintain this in ideas everytime you beautify your tank.

Convict Cichlid

The convict cichlid, additionally known as the zebra cichlid, is form of aptly named. These fish have vertical black and white stripes on their our our bodies, very similar to that of convict uniforms (or zebras).

These Central American cichlids are generally marketed as being very community-friendly. Nonetheless, in actuality, they’re merely as aggressive as most completely different cichlid species.

They not usually, if ever, play successfully with completely different fish, even these from the an identical subspecies as them, so tankmates may be out of the question.

For many who plan to keep up a single pair of these, an aquarium of a minimal of 30 gallons will work high-quality. For many who intend on proudly proudly owning additional, nonetheless, you’ll desire a so much greater tank full of ample decorations to cowl in, so their territorial habits is accommodated.

You may additionally have sturdy crops alongside the underside, nonetheless try to find ones that don’t become the substrate. It’s going to forestall unintended uprooting.

Peacock Cichlid

Peacock cichlids are one different dazzling cichlid species from Lake Malawi.

Males will normally be some combination of blue and orange, along with possess refined vertical barring. Nonetheless, they are going to can be found completely different spectacular colorations as successfully.

Similar to the mbuna, peacock cichlids thrive in onerous waters which have a extreme mineral content material materials and pH diploma. With that in ideas, applicable crops are solely these which naturally develop in Lake Malawi, like Vallisneria. It’s essential to additionally current them with a thick, sandy substrate that allows them to sift for his or her meals.

The guidelines of tank mates for this subspecies is admittedly pretty restricted, on account of their aggressive temperament. Even nonetheless, greater Pleco varieties which will take care of these an identical water parameters might present to be a sound selection.

Jewel Cichlid

As their determine might counsel, jewel cichlids actually are the jewels of the aquarium world. With a stupendous purple coloration, blue spots, and a yellowtail fin, there isn’t any such factor as a denying that this subspecies is a sight to behold.

Nonetheless, they’re usually pretty aggressive in nature, notably when breeding, which could make them unsuitable for a lot of neighborhood tanks. It is best to rearrange a single-species aquarium with a minimal of 1 confirmed pair whenever you need to breed them.

You should definitely current this subspecies with many hiding places and a sandy substrate that they are going to dig into. You can add crops to their set-up, nonetheless merely know that your jewel cichlids will do their biggest to tear it up.

The right crops for a jewel cichlid set-up embrace sturdy species like Java fern, Anubias, or one thing which will’t be uprooted too merely.

Proper right here’s a video explaining additional about proudly proudly owning cichlid species.

Conclusion

Cichlids are in all probability the most typical aquarium fish — and for good motive. They’re an particularly vibrant and hardy fish species, which could convey a novel persona to your tank.

With over 3,000 subspecies available on the market (and counting), you are sure to hunt out a minimal of 1 that may catch your eye and enhance your aquarium!

What are your favorite cichild types?