They stay small, and they get along with most fish This includes South American cichlids like the ram and
checkerboard dwarf cichlid
, and certain African river cichlids like the krib. These fish will generally get along with any fish that doesn’t pick on or bully them. They get along well with most species of tetra.
Are cichlids tropical fish?
cichlid, any of more than 1,300 species of fishes of the family Cichlidae (order Perciformes), many of which are
popular aquarium fishes
. Cichlids are primarily freshwater fishes and are found in tropical America, mainland Africa and Madagascar, and southern Asia.
Are cichlids easy to keep?
Convict Cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) They are beautiful, active and easy to care for fish , and often are sold by the local fish store as a “community tank” fish. That is well and good, if the community tank consists of other very active, very aggressive and very nasty fishes.
Can you put African cichlids with tropical fish?
It is important to add dither fish species into aquariums containing aggressive Cichlids. The Mexican Tetra is a fast-moving fish and can be the ideal dither fish to keep with Central American Cichlids. The Rainbowfish would be the ideal companion dither fish for African Cichlids.
Can cichlids live with neon tetras?
Most African cichlids grow quite big and are therefore able to eat all tetras. Therefore, one can not keep African cichlids together with tetras.
Can I put angelfish with cichlids?
African cichlids and angelfish can get along, but it is not without careful research and consideration Make sure to choose species of African cichlid that are not very aggressive, as they can and will harass your angelfish, which are a semi-aggressive species.
Do cichlids need air pump?
They release it directly into the water and fish breathe it, just like in nature where they live without any pumps Fish in a planted tank don’t need an aerator at all — it’s a waste of space and money.
Do cichlids like
live plants
?
Some plants that are ideal for cichlid tanks include anubias, java ferns, java moss, crinum, vallisneria, echinodorus, and cryptocoryne As long as the cichlid does not like to eat the plant in question, and as long as the plant has a strong root system, it should be fine.
What do cichlids need in a tank?
Cichlids prefer warm water with a high pH While cichlids tend to be able to tolerate a wide variety of temperatures and water types, their colors will appear brighter and more vibrant in water with a pH of around eight. Many pet and aquarium stores sell aquarium additives that are designed for cichlids.
Do cichlids need a heater?
Check the temperature your African cichlids will need before you bring them home. Tropical fish need warm water that’s between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (23-28 Celsius). Choose an aquarium heater with 5 watts of power for each gallon of water in the aquarium A large aquarium may need a heater at each end.
Are cichlids high maintenance?
Even if you aren’t quite ready for a super high-maintenance fish-keeping experience , you should definitely consider African cichlids. African cichlids are some of the most vibrant and colorful freshwater fish you can find.
Do cichlids like tall tanks?
Tall Tanks Angels and Discus fish are the only cichlids that really will thrive in specialized “tall” tanks Tall tanks sacrifice their width for additional height.
Can guppies live with cichlids?
While many cichlids are notorious for their aggression, several small dwarf cichlids make good companions for guppies The ram and krib are small riverine cichlids that have a much more
peaceful demeanor
than their larger relatives. Additionally, rams can benefit from guppy companions.
Can a pleco live with cichlids?
The dwarf pleco or otto cat (Ottocinclus spp) also stays small and is a hardy fish. A group of these will get along well with small cichlids Additionally, the rubbernose pleco (Chaetostoma spp) generally stay under six inches and won’t harm small, peaceful cichlids.
Can cichlids and Glofish live together?
There’s a general rule to selecting compatible Glofish tank mates: In short, it depends on which kind of Glofish you have or want. Small tropical schooling fish from communities such as gouramies, guppies, rasboras, dwarf cichlids and others are a reasonable fit in general.
What is the most peaceful cichlid?
Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) – A very peaceful species, the keyhole cichlid grows only 4 to 5 inches in length. These fish are very shy and need to have plenty of hiding places in the tank. They are very nonaggressive with other tankmates and will always back down from a fight.
What cleaner fish can live with cichlids?
Plecos Plecos are an optimal choice to house with African Cichlids. Since they’re bottom feeders and feast on algae with gusto, the tank will not only stay clean but peaceful. This will give the African Cichlids plenty of room to swim around with little chance of territorial battles.
Can cichlids live with Mollies?
Generally speaking, most cichlids species are friendly enough to be compatible with mollies , but to be sure it is important to check on the specific species. Some species that make good Molly fish tank mates are Dwarf Cichlids, Rams, Discus, Keyhole Cichlids, and Severums.
How many cichlids can I put in a 40 gallon tank?
How many Yellow Lab Cichlids can you keep in a 40-gallon aquarium? You can successfully keep 6 or 7 adult Yellow Lab Cichlids in a 40-gallon aquarium. If you are stocking with juvenile fish, start off with 10 juveniles, looking to adjust down to 6 or 7 once the Yellow Lab Cichlids becoming sexually mature.
Do cichlids like algae?
The best algae eater for the African cichlid tank is without a doubt, the ancistrus sp. Even though they are originally from south America, it is one of the only algae eaters that can adapt to the African cichlid’s water parameters as well as their behavior.
How many gallons does a cichlid need?
Cichlids Are Territorial… At the very least, 2 gallons of water per inch of fish is needed, but somewhere between 3 and 3.5 gallons for every inch of fish is the ideal.
How big should a tank be for cichlids?
A well stocked African cichlid tank will rival many saltwater aquariums in brilliant colors. Housing: Most of these fish grow to an adult size of 5 to 8”. To keep these active and colorful fish we advise at least 55 gallons A 60 to 100 gallon is even better to allow for future growth.
Can cichlids live with
tiger barbs
?
Simply put, tiger barbs and cichlids are not compatible as tank mates Whether the cichlids come from the Americas or Africa, they aren’t optimal for life alongside tiger barbs. Cichlids might behave truculently toward tiger barbs.
Can cichlids live with bettas?
When you house a betta fish with a cichlid, the betta’s famous long, flowing fins can become a problem An aggressive cichlid can harass your betta and nip and tear his fin. This will result in two problems for your betta. First, the torn or distressed fins will hinder his ability to swim properly.
Can you mix cichlids?
Types of cichlids that can live together are cichlids from the same region For example, African cichlids go well with other African cichlids, South American cichlids go well with other South American cichlids, and so on. In addition, some types like Dwarf cichlid can live with other cichlids.
What fish can go with peacock cichlids?
- Other peacock cichlids – if you keep a mixed tank, keep 1 male to every 2 females, or keep an all male tank with a mix of species.
- Plecos.
- Botia loaches.
- Peaceful Haplochromis cichlids.
- Synodontis catfish.
- African red eye tetra.
- Red tail shark.
- Rainbow shark.
Can Jack Dempseys live with angelfish?
The angelfish can be a teeny bit aggressive when it comes their territory, but if you house them with a Jack Dempsey Cichlid in a really big tank, there should be no issues. Generally speaking, the Jack Dempsey Cichlid and the angelfish get along just fine.
Can Rainbow cichlid live with angelfish?
Species that would do well in a peaceful tank with your angelfish include Symphysodon and Heros species. Rainbow cichlids, dwarf cichlids and acaras are commonly available species at higher-end pet stores and aquarium stores.
What kind of African cichlids can live together?
- Dwarf Cichlids. The first group you can keep together are Dwarf Cichlids
- South American River Cichlids
- Peacock Cichlids
- Mbuna
- African Butterfly
- Electric Yellow Cichlid
- African Orange Cichlids
- Electric Blue Haps.
How often should you change water in cichlid tank?
Water Changes A 15% water change 2 times per week is ideal, however once a week will suffice This is extra important for an African cichlid aquarium besides the fact that they have high waste output and will help keep down your ammonia levels, it will also give you a more peaceful tank.
Do cichlids need light?
Originating from some of the deepest lakes in the world, cichlids thrive in dark, murky conditions full of plants, rocks and algae. If the lighting in your tank replicates these conditions, your cichlids will grow to their full potential both physically and mentally.
Can you put cichlids in a planted tank?
The large cichlids from Africa are not really suitable for a planted aquarium , though. Plants are sparse in their natural habitats, and in the aquarium the fish basically consider them food. Only hard-leaved aquarium plants such as Anubias stand a chance of surviving.
Do cichlids like floating plants?
Some examples include Java moss, Anacharis, Anubias, Hornwort, Green Cabomba, etc. African cichlids don’t like the taste of these plants And when you keep this plant floating or by attaching to any ornament in your tank, then there is no way that the African cichlids will uproot them.
Do cichlids eat snails?
Cichlids. The cichlid family is not known for snail-eating, but many species will eat snails sometimes African cichlids are probably the most likely to eat snails. However, this is not of much use, since African cichlid tanks rarely have plants due to the high water pH.
Do cichlids prefer sand or gravel?
For cichlids, a sand substrate is considered the best That’s because cichlids love to dig and move the sand around, and they exhibit the same behavior in nature which serves many purposes, such as scavenging for food or making nests for laying eggs. The pinnacle of sands is aragonite sand.
Will cichlids bite you?
Generally speaking, no, they won’t bite your hands Unless you have a very fearful or aggressive African Cichlid, they will usually leave you be.
Why is my cichlid staying at the top of the tank?
A fish may linger near the surface because he’s trying to breathe more easily Remember, fish breathe dissolved oxygen—not oxygen that is already combined in the H2O molecule. Naturally, these dissolved oxygen levels tend to be higher near the surface, where interaction between air and water takes place.
Why are my cichlids always hiding?
To protect themselves , fish will instinctively hide when they are uncertain, frightened, stressed or uncomfortable. Having a safe place to retreat provides comfort and security, and greatly improves a fish’s chance of surviving in the wild.
Sources
https://animals.mom.com/can-coexist-cichlid-4438.html