![]() ![]() ![]() They want to investigate what’s going on in their tank and will show no fear when doing this. They’re not the kind of fish that will simply sit back and take it easy. This activity level makes them fun fish to observe though. For example, they’re more aggressive than fish such as tetras. Temperament And BehaviorĪs we mentioned earlier, African cichlids are an aggressive species in general (look at the Jack Dempsey for example). Giraffe cichlids require more experienced handlers, as they can be extremely sensitive to the nitrate levels in their water. They are larger, measuring at up to ten inches. Giraffe: Also names the venustus cichlid, these fish tend to have blue faces with dark, giraffe-like spots. These fish seek out rocky areas to reside in. They are herbivores, and both sexes are equally bright in color. Mbuna (sometimes called Malawi cichlids): Like the other most common type of cichlid that is found in Lake Malawi, Mbunas are fairly aggressive. They tend to be more peaceful than others, and they grow to about 4.5 inches in length). They can be pretty docile, allowing them to live with some other fish.īuffalo Head: They have other names such as “Humphead”, “Lionhead”, and “Blockhead”, referring to their prominent foreheads. Because of this, they tend to be a little harder to care for, requiring a larger tank.īutterfly: These cichlids sport vertical black stripes. They grow to be large, up to nine or ten inches. They are less aggressive and suitable for beginners.īlue Dolphin Moorii: This fish is popular because of its shiny blue scales. Kribensis (“kribs”, for short): The smallest of the cichlids, these fish range from three to four inches in length. Interestingly enough, blue haps don’t get along well with peacock cichlids, so you may not want to house them together. Female haps tend to be duller in color than the males.Įlectric Blue Hap: Also known as the Hap Ahli, these fish are easy to maintain and come in a solid and vibrant blue color. Hap (short for “Haplochromis”): One of the most common types of cichlids, these fish prefer swimming in open water, they have a medium aggression level, feeding on smaller fish. Peacock Cichlids: Only slightly aggressive, Peacock cichlids (also called Aulonocara nyassae) are one of the more colorful types of cichlids, ranging in colors of dark tan to silvery-blue. They are yellow with dark fin tips, and a long dorsal fin running down the back. These fish are shorter, only about three inches long. They can be highly aggressive.Įlectric Yellow: The electric yellow cichlid tend to be less aggressive than their relatives, which can make them good fish for the inexperienced tank owner. They grow to be about five inches in length and are highly aggressive.Ĭompressiceps: Also know by the startling name of the “Malawi Eyebiter”, these fish are long, thin, and have a shiny silver color to their bodies. Orange Zebra: These fish display black stripes or spots on their orange body. Zebra Mbuna aka Zebra Cichlids: As the name suggests, these fish have black and white stripes down their bodies. Maingano: These have bold horizontal stripes in a variety of blues. We highly recommend taking some time to learn about each variation. It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who is planning on getting their very first aquarium, or a seasoned pro. Although these fish are aggressive in general, there can be some slight behavioral differences between them. Understanding a bit about the types of African cichlids you can choose from is very important (past just a simple color preference). It’s Time To Decide If They’re Right For You.A handful of others come from Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. Almost all of the species that you’ll find in personal aquariums originate from Lake Malawi in East Africa. Though there a ton of different African cichlid species confirmed in the wild, but far fewer are available as pets. ![]() They are more aggressive in general than other common tropical fish. Coloring can be impacted by the quality of care they receive (we’ll cover that more a bit further down).Įach type of African cichlid’s aggression level should be minded when placing together in an aquarium. There are plenty of colors and patterns of this species for you to choose from, though it can take up to a year for them to develop full color. Though they require special care, many different types can be good for beginning aquarium owners because of their toughness. These fish tend to be a popular pet among aquarists, due to the large range of colors that you can keep, even if you don’t have a saltwater tank.Įach different kind has slightly varying temperaments as well, and are resilient in captivity.Īfrican cichlids are an extremely active group of fish, making them an aquarium favorite for viewing. African cichlids are a larger species of freshwater fish that originate in Africa, Asia, and South America. ![]()
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