Cichlid Care Master Guide 2026: African & South American Species

Cichlids represent one of the most diverse and fascinating families of freshwater fish, comprising over 1,600 species across the globe. From the colorful African Rift Lake dwellers to the personality-rich South Americans, cichlids offer aquarists everything from peaceful community fish to challenging specialist species. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers the essential knowledge needed to successfully keep these remarkable fish.

2026 Update: New captive breeding programs have made previously rare African cichlids more available. South American cichlid varieties continue to expand with new color morphs and selectively bred strains. Understanding biotope-specific care has become standard practice for serious cichlid keepers.

Understanding Cichlids

What Makes Cichlids Special

Key Characteristics:

Intelligence: Problem-solving abilities, recognition of owners
Parental care: Extensive fry protection (in most species)
Territoriality: Strongly defined personal space
Adaptability: Diverse habitats and care requirements
Diversity: 1,600+ species with every imaginable color pattern

Why Keep Cichlids?

Personality: Individual characters, interactive behavior
Color: Some of the most vibrant freshwater fish
Activity: Constant movement and social dynamics
Breeding: Fascinating reproductive behaviors
Challenge: Varying difficulty levels for all experience levels

Major Cichlid Groups

1. African Rift Lake Cichlids

Lake Malawi: Mbuna, Peacocks, Haps
Lake Tanganyika: Shell dwellers, Frontosa, Julies
Lake Victoria: Endangered, fewer available
Characteristics: Hard water, high pH, rocky habitats

2. South American Cichlids

Geophagus: Earth-eaters, sifters
Crenicichla: Pike cichlids
Pterophyllum: Angelfish
Symphysodon: Discus
Astronotus: Oscars
Characteristics: Soft water, varied pH, Amazonian habitats

3. Central American Cichlids

Amphilophus: Midas, Red Devil
Archocentrus: Convict cichlids
Parachromis: Jaguar, Dovii
Characteristics: Hardy, aggressive, varied water needs

4. West African Cichlids

Pelvicachromis: Kribs
Nanochromis: Dwarf cichlids
Chromidotilapia: Larger West Africans
Characteristics: Dwarf species, interesting behaviors

5. Madagascan Cichlids

Paretroplus: Rare, endangered
Limited availability: Conservation concerns

African Cichlids: Rift Lake Specialists

Lake Malawi Cichlids

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 76-82°F (optimal 78-80°F)
pH: 7.8-8.6 (optimal 8.0-8.4)
Hardness: 10-25 dGH
Alkalinity: 10-18 dKH

Three Main Groups:

Mbuna (Rock-Dwelling Cichlids)

Characteristics:

Habitat: Rocky shoreline areas
Diet: Herbivorous/Algae grazers
Behavior: Highly territorial, aggressive
Size: 4-6 inches
Tank needs: Rockwork, caves, heavy filtration

Popular Species:

Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus): Peaceful mbuna, bright yellow
Rusty Cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae): Purple-brown, relatively peaceful
Pseudotropheus Saulosi: Blue with yellow/orange females, dwarf mbuna
Pseudotropheus demasoni: Striking blue stripes, VERY aggressive
Melanochromis auratus: Golden with stripes, aggressive
Johanni: Blue males, orange females, aggressive

Tank Requirements:

Minimum: 55 gallons for small group
Recommended: 75+ gallons
Rockwork: Piles of rocks with caves
Filtration: 8-10x turnover
Substrate: Sand (they sift)

Stocking Rules:

Overstock: 1 inch per 2 gallons (opposite of normal rule)
Crowding reduces aggression: No territories established
Same-size introduction: All at once
Male:Female ratios: 1 male per 3-4 females

Peacock Cichlids (Aulonocara)

Characteristics:

Habitat: Sandy areas between rocks
Diet: Carnivorous (invertebrates)
Behavior: Less aggressive than mbuna
Size: 4-6 inches
Colors: Males brilliantly colored, females drab

Popular Species:

Dragon Blood: Red with blue, most popular
Sunshine Peacock: Yellow/orange
Strawberry Peacock: Pink/red
Blue Peacock: Various blue strains
OB Peacock: Orange blotched pattern
Sulfur Crested: Yellow with blue face

Tank Requirements:

Minimum: 55 gallons
Recommended: 75+ gallons for multiple males
Sand substrate: They sift through sand
Open swimming: Less rockwork than mbuna
Filtration: Strong for waste management

Stocking:

Multiple males possible: If enough space/females
1 male: Per 15-20 gallons minimum
Female groups: 3-4 per male
Don’t mix with mbuna: Different aggression levels

Haplochromis (Haps)

Characteristics:

Habitat: Open water, predatory
Diet: Carnivorous (fish, invertebrates)
Behavior: Predatory, active swimmers
Size: 6-12 inches
Type: Piscivores (fish-eaters)

Popular Species:

Nimbochromis livingstonii: Large predator, 10+ inches
Nimbochromis venustus: Giraffe-like pattern
Sciaenochromis fryeri: Electric Blue Hap
Protomelas taeniolatus: Red Empress
Champsochromis spilorhynchus: Large, requires 125+ gallons

Tank Requirements:

Minimum: 75 gallons
Recommended: 125+ gallons
Open swimming space: Minimal rockwork
Strong filtration: Heavy bioload
Tank mates: Must be larger than their mouths

Stocking:

One male: Per tank (unless very large)
Multiple females: Harem style
No small fish: Will be eaten
Similar-sized tank mates: Only option

Lake Tanganyika Cichlids

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 74-80°F (optimal 76-78°F)
pH: 8.0-9.0 (optimal 8.2-8.6)
Hardness: 10-20 dGH
Alkalinity: 12-20 dKH

Diverse Ecology:

Shell Dwellers (Lamprologines)

Tiny Titans: Some of the smallest cichlids with huge personalities

Popular Species:

Neolamprologus multifasciatus: Smallest cichlid, shell dweller
Neolamprologus similis: Similar to multis
Neolamprologus brevis: Shell dweller with different behavior
Lamprologus ocellatus: Aggressive for size

Specifications:

Size: 1.5-2.5 inches
Tank: 10-20 gallons for colony
Shells: Required (escargot shells work well)
Sand: Fine gravel or sand
Behavior: Fascinating social dynamics

Tank Setup:

Shells scattered: Throughout tank
Sand substrate: 2 inches for digging
Flat rocks: Optional for spawning
Minimal plants: Not needed
Filtration: Gentle (they’re tiny)

Frontosa (Cyphotilapia frontosa)

The Gentle Giant: Large, peaceful, stunning hump-headed cichlid

Specifications:

Size: 10-14 inches (massive)
Tank: 125+ gallons minimum
Lifespan: 15-20 years
Behavior: Peaceful, schooling
Diet: Carnivore

Requirements:

Group: 6-8 minimum (they school!)
Rock piles: Cave structures
Strong filtration: Heavy bioload
Patience: Slow growers, expensive

Price: $30-100+ depending on size

Julidochromis (Julies)

Patterned Beauties: Elongated with interesting markings

Popular Species:

Julidochromis dickfeldi: Brown with stripes
Julidochromis ornatus: Yellow with black stripes
Julidochromis regani: Longest species
Julidochromis transcriptus: Spotted pattern

Specifications:

Size: 3-4 inches
Tank: 30+ gallons
Behavior: Territorial, pairs form
Rock dwellers: Cave spawners

Lake Victoria Cichlids

Endangered in Wild: Many species extinct in Lake Victoria

Available Species (limited):

Pundamilia nyererei: Red/orange males
Haplochromis species: Various, limited availability
Care: Similar to Malawi cichlids

Note: Support captive breeding programs for these threatened fish.

South American Cichlids

Dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma)

The Jewels of South America: Small, colorful, fascinating behaviors

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 72-82°F (species dependent)
pH: 5.0-7.5 (most prefer acidic)
Hardness: 1-10 dGH
Size: 2-3 inches

Popular Species:

Apistogramma cacatuoides: Cockatoo cichlid, orange fins
Apistogramma agassizii: Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid, many color variants
Apistogramma borellii: Yellow dwarf, peaceful
Apistogramma trifasciata: Three-striped
Apistogramma macmasteri: Red/mgold coloration
Apistogramma hongsloi: Red and blue

Tank Requirements:

Minimum: 20 gallons for pair
Recommended: 30+ gallons
Hiding spots: Caves essential
Plants: Heavily planted
Leaf litter: Beneficial
Dither fish: Small tetras reduce shyness

Behavior:

Polygamous: 1 male to multiple females
Territorial when breeding: Females guard caves
Shy: Need dither fish for confidence
Fascinating: Complex social behaviors

Geophagus (Earth-Eaters)

Unique Feeding Behavior: Sift sand through gills

Popular Species:

Geophagus altifrons: Tall dorsal fin
Geophagus winemilleri: Red face
Geophagus sveni: Blue/green colors
Geophagus dicrozoster: Latest in hobby
Geophagus iporangensis: Smaller species
Geophagus sp. “Tapajos”: Orange head

Specifications:

Size: 6-8 inches
Tank: 75+ gallons
Substrate: Sand required (they sift)
Behavior: Peaceful, groups
Sensitive: Water quality critical

Tank Setup:

Sand substrate: 3+ inches
Open swimming: Center area
Plants: Can uproot, use epiphytes
Filtration: Strong, theyre messy
Water changes: Weekly 50%

Severum (Heros severus)

South American Classic: Peaceful, attractive, personable

Specifications:

Size: 8-10 inches
Tank: 55+ gallons
pH: 6.0-7.5
Temperature: 75-82°F
Lifespan: 10+ years

Color Variants:

Green Severum: Natural coloration
Gold Severum: Bright yellow captive variant
Rotkeil: Red-shouldered variant

Behavior: Generally peaceful, can be kept with similar-sized fish

Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

The Icon: Graceful, beautiful, surprisingly aggressive

See our detailed Angelfish profile for complete care guide.

Quick Facts:

Size: 6 inches tall, 4 inches wide
Tank: 40+ gallons tall
Behavior: Territorial, eat small fish
Community: Careful selection required

Discus (Symphysodon spp.)

The King: Ultimate challenge, spectacular beauty

See our detailed Discus profile for complete care guide.

Quick Facts:

Size: 6-8 inches round
Tank: 50+ gallons
Difficulty: Advanced
Requirements: Pristine water, high temperature

Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus)

The Water Dog: Personality plus, very messy

See our detailed Oscar profile for complete care guide.

Quick Facts:

Size: 10-12 inches
Tank: 75+ gallons
Personality: Recognize owners, interactive
Messy: Require massive filtration

Central American Cichlids

Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)

The Beginner Cichlid: Hardy, prolific, aggressive

Specifications:

Size: 4-6 inches
Tank: 30+ gallons (breeding pairs)
pH: 6.5-8.0
Temperature: 72-82°F
Difficulty: Easy

Behavior:

Extremely prolific: Breed constantly
Aggressive: Especially when breeding
Parental care: Excellent fry protection
Hardy: Tolerate poor conditions

Warning: Can take over a community tank when breeding. Best in species tank or with robust tank mates.

Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata)

The Heavyweight: Beautiful, aggressive, predatory

See our detailed Jack Dempsey profile for complete care.

Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki)

Colorful and Relatively Peaceful: Orange throat, interesting behaviors

See our detailed Firemouth Cichlid profile for complete care.

Midas Cichlid/Red Devil (Amphilophus spp.)

Monster Cichlids: Large, aggressive, personality+

Specifications:

Size: 10-16 inches
Tank: 125+ gallons
Lifespan: 15+ years
Aggression: High
Tank mates: Very limited

Not for Beginners: Require huge tanks, experienced handling

West African Cichlids

Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher)

The Dwarf Favorite: Colorful, interesting, relatively peaceful

See our detailed Kribensis profile for complete care.

Other West African Cichlids

Pelvicachromis species: Various krib relatives Chromidotilapia: Larger West Africans Nanochromis: Dwarf species

Characteristics:

Generally peaceful: Can be community fish
Smaller sizes: 3-5 inches typical
Interesting behaviors: Parental care
Hard water tolerance: Unlike many SA cichlids

Tank Setup by Region

African Rift Lake Setup

Substrate:

Aragonite sand: Buffers pH, white appearance
Crushed coral: Alternative buffer
White sand: Reflects light, enhances colors

Hardscape:

Rock piles: Create caves and territories
Coral rock: Helps buffer
Safe stacking: Ensure stable

Filtration:

Over filtration: 8-10x turnover
Mechanical: Remove debris
Biological: Large colonies needed
Chemical: Optional carbon

Water Chemistry:

pH stable: 8.0-8.4
Hard water: Essential
Regular buffering: Water changes with proper water

South American Cichlid Setup

Substrate:

Sand: Required for sifters
Leaf litter: Natural, beneficial
Dark colors: Enhance fish colors

Hardscape:

Driftwood: Essential for most species
Caves: PVC pipes, coconut shells
Rock caves: For cave-dwellers
Tannins: Acceptable, often beneficial

Filtration:

Strong: Most are messy
Gentle flow: Some prefer calmer areas
Canister preferred: Media flexibility

Plants:

Heavily planted: Most SA cichlids appreciate plants
Epiphytes: Anubias, java fern (attach to wood)
Cryptocoryne: Good root system
Floating: Security and shade

Central American Setup

Substrate:

Gravel or sand: Either works
Large: Central Americans dig

Hardscape:

Caves: Essential for breeding
Rockwork: Territory definition
Robust: Theyre strong fish

Filtration:

Very strong: Heavy waste producers
Mechanical focus: Remove debris

Managing Aggression

Understanding Cichlid Aggression

Types of Aggression:

Territorial: Defending space
Breeding: Protecting eggs/fry
Predatory: Eating smaller fish
Social: Dominance hierarchies

Triggers:

Tank size: Too small = more aggression
Decorations: Insufficient hiding = stress
Mates: Wrong ratios cause problems
Water quality: Poor conditions increase stress/aggression

Aggression Management Strategies

1. Tank Size:

Bigger is better: Larger tanks reduce aggression
Minimum sizes: Respect species requirements
Footprint: Surface area matters more than height

2. Overstocking (African Method):

Crowd Malawi cichlids: No territories established
Heavy filtration: Required for heavy stocking
Same time introduction: All together
Male:Female ratios: Critical for harem species

3. Visual Barriers:

Plants: Break sightlines
Rock placement: Create multiple territories
Dither fish: Target of aggression instead of valuable fish

4. Proper Ratios:

Harem species: 1 male per 3-4 females minimum
Paired species: True pairs or groups
Singles: Some species need to be alone

5. Rearranging:

Reset territories: Rearrange decor to reset hierarchies
When to do it: Before adding new fish or when aggression escalates

Species-Specific Aggression Levels

Peaceful (Can be community fish):

Keyhole cichlid
Severum (usually)
Geophagus (generally)
Ram cichlids
Kribensis (mostly)
Frontosa (surprisingly)

Moderate (Careful community selection):

Angelfish
Discus (peaceful but demanding)
Firemouths
Many Apistogramma
Some peacock cichlids

Aggressive (Species tanks or robust tank mates only):

Mbuna cichlids
Convicts
Jack Dempsey
Green Terror
Most Central Americans

Very Aggressive (Experienced keepers, large tanks):

Oscars (messy, pushy)
Dovii
Midas/Red Devil
Large pike cichlids
Some large mbuna

Feeding Cichlids

Diet Types by Species

Herbivores/Omnivores:

Mbuna: Spirulina-based foods, vegetables
Some SA cichlids: Flake, pellets, vegetables
Feed: 2-3 times daily, plant-heavy diet

Carnivores:

Peacocks/Haps: High-protein pellets, frozen foods
Pike cichlids: Live/frozen meaty foods
Predatory SA: Shrimp, fish, worms
Feed: 1-2 times daily, protein focus

Insectivores:

Many dwarfs: Small insects, larvae
Feed: Varied diet with insect components

Feeding Guidelines

Quality Foods:

Pellets: Primary staple
Frozen: Mysis, brine shrimp, bloodworms
Vegetables: For herbivores (peas, spinach, zucchini)
Live: Occasional treat (not staple)

Feeding Schedule:

Adults: 1-2 times daily
Juveniles: 2-3 times daily (growth phase)
Breeding pairs: Increase food
Amount: What they can eat in 2-3 minutes

Species-Specific:

Mbuna: High-quality herbivore pellets
Peacocks: Carnivore pellets + supplements
Dwarfs: Small pellets, frozen, live
Oscars: Large pellets, substantial portions

Breeding Cichlids

Breeding Behaviors

Substrate Spawners:

Lay eggs: On rocks, caves, or flat surfaces
Both parents: Usually guard eggs
Examples: Convicts, Kribs, many SA cichlids

Mouthbrooders:

Female carries: Eggs and fry in mouth
Maternal: Most African mouthbrooders
Biparental: Some SA species
Duration: 2-4 weeks typically
Examples: Most African Rift Lake cichlids

Encouraging Breeding

Triggering Spawning:

Water changes: Large changes with slightly cooler water
Diet: Increase protein and quality
Territory: Adequate spawning sites
Ratios: Proper male:female
Parameters: Optimal for species

Fry Care:

Substrate spawners: Usually protect fry
Mouthbrooders: Release when fry large enough
Separate: Many breeders move fry to grow-out tank
Feeding: Baby brine shrimp, crushed flake, specialized fry food

Common Health Issues

African Cichlid Specific Issues

Malawi Bloat:

Cause: Dietary, poor digestion
Symptoms: Bloating, difficulty swimming
Prevention: Proper herbivore diet, fiber
Treatment: Epsom salt, metronidazole

Hole in the Head (HITH):

Cause: Poor water quality, nutrition
Symptoms: Pits in head, lethargy
Prevention: Water changes, varied diet
Treatment: Improve conditions, antibiotics

Swim Bladder Issues:

Cause: Overeating, constipation
Symptoms: Buoyancy problems
Prevention: Proper feeding, vegetable matter
Treatment: Fast, peas

South American Cichlid Issues

Hexamita:

Cause: Parasite, stress-related
Symptoms: White feces, weight loss, lethargy
Prevention: Quarantine, good water quality
Treatment: Metronidazole

Ich (White Spot):

Cause: Parasite, often from new fish
Symptoms: White spots, rubbing on objects
Prevention: Quarantine, stable temperature
Treatment: Heat, aquarium salt, medication

Gill Flukes:

Cause: Parasite
Symptoms: Rapid breathing, flashing
Prevention: Quarantine
Treatment: Praziquantel

Cost Analysis

African Cichlid Setup (75 Gallons)

Item	Cost
Tank	$200-300
Stand	$150-250
Filter (canister)	$200-300
Heater (dual)	$50-80
Lighting	$100-200
Substrate (aragonite)	$40-80
Rockwork	$100-200
Fish (12-15 cichlids)	$150-400
Test kits	$50-80
Food	$30-50
Total	$1,070-1,840

South American Setup (75 Gallons)

Item	Cost
Tank + Stand	$350-550
Canister filter	$200-300
Heaters	$50-80
Lighting	$150-300
Sand substrate	$30-60
Driftwood	$100-200
Plants	$100-200
Fish (6-8 cichlids)	$100-400
Test kits	$50-80
Food	$30-50
Total	$1,160-2,120

Ongoing Costs (Monthly)

African Cichlids:

Food: $20-40
Water treatments: $10-15
Occasional fish: $20-40
Electricity: $20-30
Total: $70-125

South American Cichlids:

Food: $20-40
Plants: $20-40
Water treatments: $10-15
Electricity: $20-30
Total: $70-125

Conclusion

Cichlids offer aquarists an incredible diversity of species, behaviors, and care requirements. From the beginner-friendly convict to the challenging discus, there’s a cichlid for every experience level and interest.

Key Takeaways:

Research your specific species thoroughly
Water parameters are critical—match natural habitats
Aggression management is essential for community success
Bigger tanks reduce problems significantly
Consistent maintenance is non-negotiable
Parental care behaviors are fascinating to observe

Whether you’re drawn to the brilliant colors of African Rift Lake cichlids or the personality and challenge of South American species, cichlid keeping offers a lifetime of learning and enjoyment. Success comes from understanding each species’ specific needs and respecting their natural behaviors.

Last Updated: January 2026
Next Review: July 2026
This guide reflects current cichlid keeping practices and best practices as of 2026.