Cichlids are one of the most diverse families of freshwater fish in existence. They are notable for their vibrant coloring, tropical habitats, and feisty personalities.
Many hobbyists wouldn’t recommend that you start out with a tank of Cichlids (as they are often best in single species tanks, to begin with), but you do need experience in order to handle their behavior, tank parameters, and feeding needs.
There are Cichlids in South America and Asia, but another vast array of species unique to the African continent too.
When they gain enough experience in the hobby, some people will start out with the more commonly available species of Cichlids, which primarily come from South America. But there is a vast array of species native to Africa which can be generalized as more expensive, harder to obtain, but exceptionally colorful and beautiful to observe.
These African species of Cichlids (Cichlidae family) are normally found in one of three Great Lakes on the continent. These lakes are Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika. The vast majority on the market from suppliers are Lake Malawi-based.
Socially interactive with their kind, these punchy-colored fish are a real showstopper for any freshwater tank, and they rival the wealth of variety out there in the marine world.
It’s for this reason that they are so coveted and beloved by those who have been in the hobby for some time.
While hardy in nature, they do require special care, so read on to find out the best types to suit your setup.
African Cichlids Behavior
African Cichlids are known for being slightly more aggressive than those from the other corners of the world. Why? Nobody knows.
They are not the most relaxed of fish and tend to take their territories rather seriously. However, this does make them extremely entertaining for the observer and offers the owner a whole lot of personality on offer.
Considered the busy bees of the tank, they are exceptionally active and are well known for digging into the substrate. These fish love nothing more than to root around in search of food morsels. In the meantime, this will also mean your carefully planted vegetation might get rearranged.
They have a habit of redistributing tank items to their liking however they see fit, so don’t be too disheartened if they make a mess once you load them in.
They are highly social and like to know what is going on in every corner of the tank. This means they can have confrontations with other species should you have any with them, or even amongst themselves.
Natural predators, they prefer to live in shoals with the dominant fish indicated by the most brightly colored specimen. That’s a pecking order that is hard to ignore!
It’s been noted that these high-alert fish can even recognize their owners and are known to hide if someone they don’t recognize comes into the home and the tank area.
The issue of territory is what makes up the majority of their aggression after the usual mating season aggression. They are able to sense micro-movements, which means they dart and swim fast in the tank if they sense something on the menu.
These fish also happen to be skilled at jumping, so buyer beware! Get yourself a lid on the tank if you delve into Cichlids.
African Cichlids Lifespan
Normally you can expect Africa Cichlids to live for an average of up to 8 – 10 years if they are provided with their ideal tank setup. This is species-dependent, though, so you would need to check out your specific variety for a solid timeline.
We will discuss more on tank requirements a little later in this article.
African Cichlids Appearance
Since there is such a wide variety of Cichlids in this category, we’ll review some of the most popular ones.
In general, though, they will grow up to around 4 – 6 inches in length. They all possess teeth, but those will vary depending on their primary diet. Fun fact? They can regenerate teeth if they lose any!
They all tend to have a long, sail-like dorsal fin that isn’t tall but runs from where the second third of the topline begins right to the caudal fin, almost merging.
Their full coloring will usually appear after 1 year of age, but again this varies by type.
Here are some of the most common types out there, which mainly hail from Lake Malawi, where the most colorful varieties are found:
- Zebra Cichlids: Black and white striped along with the body frame.
- Electric Yellow: Bright, neon yellow with darker fin tips. These fish are a little smaller at around 3 inches and are also slightly less aggressive than their counterparts.
- Orange Zebra: Black stripes on an orange body base. Very aggressive and around 5 inches, so take precautions if you’re buying these guys!
- Maingano: Horizontally striped in a wide array of blue tones.
- Peacock: Mildly aggressive, these fish are beautifully colored in a range of mottled shades from orange to electric blue and silvery in-between. Tend to hang around the bottom of the tank too.
- Compressiceps: Another one for the category of ‘highly aggressive,’ they are also known as the Malawi Eyebiter, which sounds rather alarming. They possess a longer body shape, are thin and flat, and have a silvery color.
- Giraffe: One of the largest at 10 inches, these fish have blue heads followed by giraffe-styled spots and are only for the most experienced as they are extremely sensitive to the water condition.
- Buffalo Head: A little more leisurely than others, they have prominent foreheads but tend to be fairly peaceful if a little less colorful. Their head shape stands out against the rest of the family and resembles a trout with the face and their longer, slenderer body shape.
- Sunshine Peacock: with a body and fins of flashy yellow and gold tones, a blue face, and with its dorsal fin trimmed in electric blue, these are gorgeous to try out for a newer hobbyist.
African Cichlids Habitat And Tank Requirements
This tropical lake-dwelling fish enjoys warm waters and a little water flow, and a slightly alkaline nature.
They like to poke in and around rocky formations.
They are quite messy fish, so filtration is a huge consideration when planning your tank. Expect to filter the water at least 3 – 5 times per hour with your system, or else you will be woefully short.
Tank Conditions
These tropical freshwater fish like warmer waters, so a heater is encouraged so you can keep the temperature even.
Vegetation that works well with these fish tends to be varieties like Java Fern, Amazon Swords, and Anubias. They will withstand the rearranging and occasional chomping by your Cichlids.
Substrate should be fine grain sand to prevent any damage to your fish when their digging into the base looking for food.
They prefer lots of rocky formations, so if you’re creating your own, take care that things are secure amongst these active creatures. Aquarium glue can help prevent any rocks from tumbling and injuring your fish should they become dislodged from your placement.
Don’t forget a lid on the tank as they can jump!
Water changes should be done weekly at about 25 – 40% because of their prolific waste production. Keep it as clean as possible!
Water conditions should be noted, tested regularly, and maintained as follows:
- a pH of 7.8 – 8.6
- Water hardness 4 – 6 dGH
- Temperature between 75 – 80ºF (24 – 26ºC)
- Lighting should be moderate and avoid any direct sunlight.
Tank Size
The minimum tank size needed is 30 gallons for a single African Cichlid, and add another 3 gallons for every additional one you add if you choose to house a school.
They need plenty of open swimming areas and turf to call their own, so consider going for the biggest tank you can for a happier, less stressful life!
Choosing Tank Mates For African Cichlids
African Cichlids are naturally aggressive fish and are best to be housed with other similarly sized fish of a similarly aggressive nature so that they aren’t bullying calmer species that just want to be left alone.
Avoid other species of open water swimmers of your Cichlids are likely to attack them.
Smaller fish will be attacked and eaten, so that is always a bad idea too.
While you may think all Cichlids are created equal, forget about mixing African varieties with South American types as they have different water conditions, so they won’t last long together.
What most owners prefer to do is keep a single species tank that they like best which keeps things simple and manageable. If you keep a group, consider 3 – 4 females per male, which is an ideal ratio.
You can keep bottom dwellers of a suitable size in the tank to help with cleaning if you wish as long as they aren’t aggressive as they will tend to stay out of the way and go about their algae cleaning business.
Some good ones to consider include African Catfish, Plecostomus Catfish, and Clown Loaches.
How To Feed African Cichlids
Again, diet will vary to some degree depending on the species you specifically have chosen. There are actually some that are purely carnivorous, some that are herbivores, and many who are omnivores. Some will also only eat insects!
It’s therefore really important to know what your planned species eat so you can be sure you can commit to its needs. The quality of food sources is also really important because this will ultimately impact the color of your fish. This can often be a source of pride for many in the hobby since vibrant Cichlids mean they are well cared for.
Flake and frozen types will both suffice but aim to feed them 3 or 4 small 2 minute meals per day.
Common Health Issues Of African Cichlids
African Cichlids are susceptible to a range of diseases, some of which are better known than others.
Ich or White Spot Disease is quite prevalent and presents as white spots on the body as the result of a parasitic infection. It’s quite contagious, so it must be dealt with quickly to avoid it spreading. There is medication out there, but usually, improving water conditions and food supply will also help.
Hexamita (also known as Hole in the Head Disease) is a parasitic disease that presents with lesions on the body and lethargy, along with lack of appetite. It is commonly associated with the Cichlid family.
Cotton Wool Disease is fungal in nature and sounds like the name, identified as little white fluffy spots on the body of the fish.
Gill Flukes are parasitic and create a slime coating on the gill structures that prevents them from being able to respire normally. Again this can be treated but quickly.
Tuberculosis is not only contagious and usually fatal if found in your fish but can be transmitted to owners through open wounds. Always use gloves when handling your Cichlids!
While many of these conditions are treatable, they are also preventable. Start with keeping a pristine tank and stick to a regular cleaning schedule.
If you are introducing new fish or decor, be sure to quarantine the new residents and thoroughly wash all new plants, decor, etc., before introducing them into the tank.
How To Breed African Cichlids
Breeding African Cichlids is not often difficult, but for the most part, they are mouth bearers.
They will often choose a flat location or spawning mat of the males choosing, where the female will lay her eggs before he fertilizes them.
The female will then delicately collect them into her mouth for up to three weeks while she sequesters herself from conflict or intrusion until they hatch.
They happen to be excellent parents too! Research more about any specifics for the particular species you happen to want to breed if you are interested.
Are African Cichlids The Right Fit For Your Setup?
They sure are!
Some are better suited to new hobbyists due to their hardier nature or reduced aggressive tendencies. But they will provide a wealth of color and delight to anyone who pursues these vibrant specimens in the name of a stunning home aquarium.
Take care when choosing tank mates or better yet, start off simple with a single species tank until you get a feel for them. Then let your mood take you to greater heights with larger or more daring choices.
You won’t be disappointed or regret getting started with Cichlids; most hobbyists never look back.
