Those looking to add color to an aquarium need look no further than African cichlids.
These are an incredibly diverse group of fish. Each species has its own pattern and coloration, so there is one to suit everybody.
This includes the peacock cichlids which are some of the most colorful fish available.
These fish are generally harder to look after compared to other popular tropical fish. They are bigger and much more aggressive than tetras, guppies and gouramis.
This means that they are best suited to a more experienced fish keeper.
Adding these fish to your tank will brighten it up, as well as keeping it looking active and social.
This complete guide will discuss everything you need to know about African Cichlids, including the most popular types, perfect tank setup, how to care for them and much more…
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Care Level: | Intermediate |
| Temperament: | Aggressive |
| Color Form: | Various |
| Lifespan: | Up to 15 Years (species dependent) |
| Size: | 3-8 inches |
| Diet: | Depends on species |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 30 Gallons |
| Tank Set-Up: | Freshwater: Rocks and Caves |
| Compatibility: | Depends on species |
Most African cichlids kept in home aquariums are rock-dwellers. In the wild, they’d have little hideaways in the gaps between rocks.
You need to know how to set up your tank like this at home.
The best way to recreate this in an aquarium is to use rocks too. Make sure they’re placed securely so they don’t collapse (you can buy aquarium-safe glue to stick your rocks together).
Since they are known to dig, a fine-grained substrate would be best so that it won’t scratch their scales.
The water in the aquarium should be moving, but the filter outlet will be enough to create a small current.
Species from rivers might appreciate water or an air pump to create a stronger current.
African cichlids need a water temperature of 75-85°F and a pH of 7.8-8.6 should keep most species healthy.
Africa’s great lakes have quite hard water, 4-6 dH, so try not to use soft water in your tank. Moderate lighting is fine for them.
You don’t need any specialist equipment, just a filter, and heater strong enough to work in the right sized tank. The filter should process all of the water in the tank 3-5 times in one hour.
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