Cichlids

Cichlids ( pronounced Sick-lids ) are a large family of fish which are very popular with aquarists.

They come in a variety of eye catching shapes and colours and sizes, and are more intelligent and robust than most other families of fish. It's this intelligence that makes them great pets to keep, as they will often come to the front of the aquarium to take food from your fingers, and most will breed easily in a fish tank. Unlike most tropical fish, they are good parents and will look after their young, so many people keep a breeding pair so they can enjoy watching the breeding and rearing process.

Cichlids have evolved to fit into many different environments, and so their needs can be very different. Always check with your supplier when buying a Cichlid as they are often too aggressive or territorial to keep in a normal community aquarium, and even in a dedicated Cichlid aquarium many can only be combined with other Cichlids caught from the same part of the world.

The most popular types of Cichlid are:

Peaceful and Dwarf South American Cichlids (e.g. Angelfish, Rams, Apistogrammas)

These come from slow moving waters and are spectacular show fish for a planted aquarium. They are the most peaceful Cichlids and can be combined with most community fish in a normal sized aquarium.

Large South American Cichlids (e.g.Oscars, Severum, Peacock Bass)

These grow very large very quickly but are generally easy to combine with any fish which they cannot eat. They need a very large tank- normally at least 120cm long - to cope with their adult size and also to provide them with a small territory.  The plant should be decorated with large pieces of rock and wood as they will normally destroy plants. If placed in too small a tank they will often pollute the water - which will cause them to fall ill, or attack each other if they have insufficient space. 

Central American Cichlids (e.g. Firemouths, Convicts, Red Devils)

These are more aggressive than South American Cichlids and need a larger tank to avoid fighting. Again, plants will be demolished so rocks and wood are the best decorations.

Rift Valley Cichlids (e.g.Malawi Cichlids, Mbuna, Tangayikan Cichlids)

Come from the rift lakes of South East Africa. These are the most colourful Cichlids, and most should be kept in a large tank built up with a large number of rocks. A well stocked Rift Valley tank bustling with fish is as bright and colourful as a marine aquarium.

African Cichlids (e.g. Kribensis, Jewel Cichlids, Tilapias)

These normally come from rivers in Central and Western Africa. Tilapias are large predators which can only be kept with other large aggressive fish, but many of the smaller species can be kept in a planted aquarium. Whilst they are not community fish, many other fish such as barbs and characins can be combined with the smaller African species.

Disclaimer:  This article is supplied for informative purposes only. Seapets Ltd has done its very best to make sure that the above information is up-to-date and correct, but takes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the following of this advice. As always, it is recommended that you consult with your local vet regarding any concerns that you may have for your pet.

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