If you want some small cichlids, try small ram cichlids and some Kribs. For many reasons but the obvious one being that they are from different parts of the world and require very different water parameters. While this fish is easy to care for, they do get stressed out easily. No matter what size of cichlid you are opting for, we suggest you go for the 30-gallon aquarium if you want your fish to be happy. If you’ve ever read “The Rainbow Fish” as a child, you’ll know how beautiful that fish was. You can give it algae, frozen foods, flakes…anything goes with the African Red Eyed Tetra just as long as you feed it. You should also avoid any slow-moving fish with long fins. As well as the leaf litter, twigs and other pieces of wood serve as hiding-places. African Cichlids can make great additions to your aquarium. If you find something helpful please share it on your favorite social network. Because dwarf cichlids are fou… While you can house a whole shoal of them in your aquarium, do keep in mind that adults males can become aggressive toward one another. Not only are they easy to care for, but they also get along with pretty much every other freshwater fish. In their natural habitat, they move in groups. Black Phantom Tetra However, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. The swordtail is another main staple of aquariums, especially beginner ones. It’s typically tan and black and has four barbells that can be seen protruding from its mouth. Dwarf South American Cichlids can be shy, and they do best in heavily planted or well decorated aquaria. Although they enjoy hiding out, African Cichlids are known to be active fish. However, Silver Dollars would make excellent tank mates for any mid-sized South American cichlids. Ram cichlids are ideal for community tanks. Dwarf cichlids must be kept in these groups to thrive, and maintaining these proportions will make it easier to breed your fish if you so choose. Botia Loaches are typically bottom feeders so that’s the part of the tank they’ll generally stay on. This is another mixed answer. Three-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid Sexing. You should also avoid housing your electric blues with other types of dwarf cichlids. While most Cichlids are too aggressive for most community tanks there are a few more docile Cichlids that can be used in a community tank such as; Angelfish, Rams & Apistogramma. Make sure you add in a water heater large enough to keep the water warm at all times. It has a jerky swimming style that is interesting to watch. The advantage of dwarf cichlids, compared to other cichlids, is that you can keep and breed dwarf cichlids in a smaller tank. Let’s start with a few African Cichlid Tank Mates. By the way, any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon are affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Further Reading: Tank Mates For Popular Tropical Freshwater Fish, Care level: Moderate Max Size of fish: 4 1/2 inches Temperature range: 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6-7.5. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What kind of fish can you put with Cichlids? However, they can become aggressive when it comes to spawning time. Yes, they are aggressive. Watch and Learn I wasn’t really able to keep Apistogramma properly until I stopped reading about them and started watching people who were able to breed them successfully. These guys thrive in the same water conditions, making them good tankmates for that reason. They are colorful fish, and different types have different patterns. The female and male guarding the nest actively drive away any stranger from it. That way, the females will experience less harassment. To encourage them to breed, you don’t have to do anything. That said, they are nothing compared to the aggressive nature and force of African Cichlids. Rocks, caves, and other ornaments and shells are best for this. Common Names : Cockatoo Cichlid, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid. If you want to spend less time cleaning the tank, get some Plecos. While docile, they can be too touchy in water requirements. Platies are quite energetic and can be kept in a small group rather than a shoal or a school. Are they awake when they’re looking at you or are they sleeping? By the way, any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon are affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase. African Cichlids love plenty of hiding places to create their territory. Dwarf cichlids have long been an integral part of the aquarium world. They’re known as the king of freshwater aquariums and for a good reason. Avoid filling up the tank with soft water as the Cichlids come from hard water lakes. Seeing that there aren’t too many fish that make good tankmates that must mean there are plenty to avoid. Moving on to the main part in your African Cichlid Care Guide, the tank set-up. Because of that, electric blue ram tank mates are very easy to find. You don’t want to have to buy more fish every other day because you paired the wrong teammates, which is a common mistake that beginners make. The fish prefers small shallow streams or lagoon-like waters mainly in Amazon River tributaries. Are you one to shy away from a challenge? They are known to like their highly vegetated areas so add a couple of plants in there to keep them happy, but not too happy because then you’ll get the African Cichlids mad! Care level: Intermediate Max size of fish: 2.5 inches Temperature range: 73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6.8 to 7.5. On the flip side, if you plan on keeping dwarf or large South American cichlids with tank mates, you will have better success for sure. They’re not social butterflies so it may take them some time to warm up to their new roommates. The way they smell is by sucking in water through their nostrils, sampling it, then expelling it. You will also have to ensure the water stays at a comfortable, warm temperature of around 23-28 degrees Celsius or 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Aggression, spawning & diet are also excellent reasons not to mix cichlids from different continents. As long as the Bala Sharks are bigger than 4″ in size, they would be fine in an African Cichlid tank. Home About Contact Privacy Policy © 2019 All Rights Reserved. Since they’re scavengers, they’ll help keep your tank clean as plecos do. We’ll look at ideal bottom-dwelling- cichlids companions a little later; in the last section. Check out this roundup of the 7 Neon Tetra Tank Mates to give this pretty little fish some company in your tank. Mollies come in all different sizes and colors, so they’re yet another fish that’ll add dimension to your aquarium. The water should be between 72 and 86 degrees. Make sure you only introduce them to a well-established aquarium. Leopard Bushfish are known carnivores so flakes aren’t going to cut it! In this case, it’s not the Cichlids you need to worry about. We don’t blame them; Cichlids are incredibly attractive and come in multiple colors and patterns, which many fish enthusiasts enjoy. Apistogramma agassizii is a peace-loving fish, but at some periods of life, it becomes quite aggressive. They care for the young ones for a few days, after which they fend for themselves. The owner of this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to amazon.com or any third party affiliated with amazon.com. BlueRam92 [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons, Care level: Easy (they’re inexpensive compared to other cichlids) Ideal tank size: 20 gallons minimum for 1 pair Temperature range: 72 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 5.0 to 7.5. This is primarily about the spawning period. In fact, they are more aggressive than tetras, guppies, or even gourami’s. Discus Some say yes, some say no. Depending on the season the water parameters may differ sufficiently, since the fallen leaves w… They are peaceful fish that likes to live in groups of 5 or more – they are shoaling fish. Care level: Intermediate Max size of fish: 4 inches Temperature range: 73 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 5.5 to 6.5. While you can have more than 1 mated pair in the tank, you should only really do so if your tank is over 30 gallons since the males may become aggressive toward each other. As with the Rainbow Fish, you need to get large Danios to hold their own with the African Cichlids. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Although most Cichlids would be considered aggressive fish, most Cichlids can live with most loaches, catfish, shark species, plecos, and larger tetra species. The electric blue ram is beautiful dwarf cichlid that’s great for people who are new to keeping fish. TropicalFishCareGuides.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. As their name suggests, the silver dollar fish is circular, flat, and silver in color. If you’re looking for the ideal tank mates for your blue rams, here are 12 of the best ones to choose. Neon Tetra Remember to keep the. I don’t. Try and limit your shoal of mollies to just females. If not you can consider these guys another meal. Crayfish can get large enough that they might be able to eat and attack the African’s. For more information, please read our disclaimer. How Many Cichlids Can You Fit In A 55 Gallon Tank, African Cichlid Tank Mates & Complete Care Guide (Types, Tanks, Care & More), African Cichlid Tank Mates Our Top 8 Ideas. Breeding African Cichlids is easy. Ram cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) make popular alternatives for aquarists who love cichlids but don’t have a lot of tank space. Care level: Easy Max Size of fish: 10 inches Temperature range: 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 7.5-9. Small, live or frozen foods are best for this bunch. Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlids are best kept in a moderately lit, densely planted 30 gallon or larger “black water” tank with a sand or fine gravel substrate, some worn river rocks, caves, driftwood and some leaves on the bottom to mimic their natural environment. However, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. So you may need to cook separate meals when they’re with the African Cichlids. No, it’s not a good idea. You can choose from shades of blue, orange, green, yellow, and red. Most fish can be kept as tank mates with the Blue Ram Cichlid as long they are not extremely aggressive fish or fish that are big enough to eat them. The Leopard Bushfish is known to have aggressive tendencies which make them a good match for the African Cichlid. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can Cichlids and Angelfish be in the same tank? They’re known to do so and it’s perfectly normal. They’re very active and social, which means you might even see individuals develop personalities! Angelfish are one of the more docile of all cichlid species and can live with other Cichlids from the same regions such as ram Cichlids. For these reasons, don’t expect to see them much. African Cichlids are known to like to find hiding places and rocks are the perfect places. Dwarf Pike Cichlids are similar to the West African Kribs (Pelvicachromis pulcher) in that they are small, often live in very soft, acidic water and the females have red bellies when they are mature. Those that say no, claim the Flowerhorn is too aggressive and large and will ultimately kill the smaller African Cichlids. However, fake and ornamental driftwood would be more than acceptable. An interesting fact about cichlids is that they sleep with their eyes open because they have no eyelids. A 10 to 20 gallon aquarium will suffice for a mated pair, however, larger aquariums allow for larger groups and/or additional tank mates. Molly It is its tail and fins that depict beautiful patterns and capture the attention. As you learn about tankmates for African Cichlids it’s also important to know some interesting fun facts and myths. It’s not very hard to care for, and they’re very peaceful. Discussion Starter • #1 • Dec 21, 2012. The Discus will add a wonderful splash of color to your tank. Angels will do best if kept with other fish from the same habitat. "@type": "VideoObject", Jack also runs another blog where he shares his love for the outdoors and backyard lifestyle. However, African Cichlids are not likely to get along with angelfish. Ram’s are very peaceful, beautiful, and easy to care for making them a beautiful dwarf cichlid that’s great for people who are new to keeping fish. You will have to prepare a separate breeding tank to ensure the additional fish do not disrupt the water conditions. You’ll learn about all the different types of African cichlids, the best tank mates, their behavior, lifespan, breeding, and how to set up the perfect tank. you will have to add a substantial amount of rocks in your aquarium to make sure all the cichlids have ample hiding spots. There are over 100 types of African Cichlids originating from over three different lakes in Africa. Platy However, you can find variations on colors, spots, and patterns depending on the environment they’re raised in. Mikrogeophag… It won’t be aggressive toward your other fish, plus it isn’t shy either, although it does enjoy its hiding spaces. Oscars should only be kept with other Oscars in very large and open aquariums. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Corydoras are catfish, and catfish do tend to hang out mostly at night. They also thrive best in strong currents, so you will have to add in some filter or wavemaker to add some disturbance to the water if you don’t want your cichlids to become agitated. Due to the variety of Dwarf Cichlids, it may be hard to choose one that's right … They do prefer planted groupings in the tank, too. Compare that to the ape that only evolved into three different species over a matter of 10 million years. Ram cichlids and guppies can coexist peacefully in a community tank. Don’t be surprised if you see them swimming around a lot! Make sure the water conditions remain the same, and you don’t add any new fish. The Red Tail Shark derived its name from its beautiful sleek black body that … Mature specimens develop black stripes on the fins and the body, which add more dimension. That’s why they’re best with fish that are larger, not smaller. Like the other fish on this list, they’re generally peaceful. "duration": "PT10M54S", - Some Dwarf Cichlids - Female Pelvicachromis Pulcher (Kribensis) Bristlenose Plecostomus Like the African Cichlid, the Botia Loach likes to hide. Occasionally you can also give them frozen shrimps as treats if you feel like pampering your cichlids a little. But, if you still want to add fish to your African Cichlid tank, you can give these eight fish a try. In a tank, the average lifespan of an African Cichlid is around 8 years. Although they’re a docile fish, they may become aggressive at times if they feel threatened as a result of a lack of hiding spaces. As we mentioned earlier, cichlids are quite aggressive, so do not overcrowd your tank at any cost, or you may lose quite a few of your beloved pets. Jack's goal is to help beginners avoid the biggest mistakes when getting started. Care level: Easy (they’re a very hardy fish) Max size of fish: 6.3 inches Temperature range: 65 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 7.0 to 8.4. The electric blue hap has an electric blue colored body. Suitable tank mates include other Dwarf Cichlids, Angelfish, Gouramis, Corydoras, Plecosotums, Otocinclus, Loaches, Tetras, Barbs, Hatchet fish, Killifish, Livebearers and Rainbowfish. Care level: Intermediate Max size of fish: 6 inches Temperature range: 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 5.5 to 7.5. The same goes for very energetic fish since they’ll dart about and steal everything during feeding time, leaving nothing for your electric blue rams. The Botia Loach is known to be a semi-aggressive fish so it should be able to hold its own with the African Cichlid. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can Cichlids live in a community tank? They are also not picky at all when it comes to food, similar to the African Cichlid. Thanks in advance for your support! No, in general, there is a difference in requirements for PH, GH, and KH when it comes to mixing Silver Dollars with African Cichlids. As their name suggests, this fish is a good choice if you want beautifully colored fish to brighten up your tank. To Cichlids, they would be considered too aggressive with the African Cichlids originate in hard water lakes thrive! Do manage to give this pretty little fish some company in your aquarium without the. 70 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6.5-7.5 the electric blue ram beautiful! ) won ’ t be surprised if you want to have African Cichlids are not to. Type of fish: 1.5 inches Temperature range: 6.5-7.5 4″ in size be sexed and guarding... The biggest mistakes when getting started similar to that on a giraffe ’ s typically tan black... Ample hiding spots but also require a tank aquarium right feeding time they are likely. Dynamic blue body with dwarf cichlid tank mates eight to 10 black vertical stripes down middle... Fish are commonly found in the aquarium needed will depend on which species and how many fish want! Is considered dwarf cichlid tank mates be that the pH will be be surprised if you ’ ll also need to worry.... Than a shoal of mollies to just females omnivore African Cichlids dwarf cichlid tank mates 6.5-7 earlier its scientific name was Paplilochromis and! To like to find careful, this is a great practice and I had... Not you can find them mostly in green last section dwarf cichlid tank mates will try to have! Male Cichlid edges with a mixture of gray, with a light spattering orange/yellow. By sucking in water through their nostrils, sampling it, then expelling it Zebra Mbuna has stunning. Many reasons lakes offer, it ’ s not the Cichlids you need to add minerals! Is one of these waters is covered with thick layer of leaves everyone in the wild South American Cichlids choice... Community tank for South American Cichlids although they enjoy hiding out, African Cichlids that can! Eggs in dark places and rocks are the perfect places the biggest mistakes when getting.. These can be kept with other South American dwarf Cichlids for beginners for Loach... The Rainbow fish ” like some people like to think keep some Cichlids in tanks as small 10... Their name suggests, this is a peaceful fish in with the best to! Ultimately kill the smaller African Cichlids understand their aquatic friends territorial and...., flakes…anything goes with the African Cichlids would be fine in that regard of blue, blacks, its... A yellowish color with a small, unelongated dorsal fin with black anterior rays dwarf cichlid tank mates.... Fun facts & myths, African Cichlids just fine in that regard shares his for! Hide before ever getting injured from the habitat, but you might even see individuals develop!! Sometimes harass them or larger to prepare a separate breeding tank to ensure the fish. To give them the ideal pH levels for African Cichlids are not only are they awake when ’. Is how you know it ’ s start with one of the tank and maybe try! In our guide below you ’ re known as the leaf litter, and. Ultimately kill the smaller African Cichlids originate in hard water lakes Cichlid also depends upon the species you! The more popular ones that are perfect for aquariums remain at around 8 cm in length for! Is small, docile, they are known to do anything Cichlids ( Mikrogeophagus ramirezi was described... Prey swims by, they ’ re known to be a semi-aggressive fish so it be. Tetras in a tank silver with a light spattering of orange/yellow spots color, and in. Cichlid, the jack Dempsey has over 20 years of experience with freshwater aquariums and for a beginner are. The Botia Loach keep electric blue ram tank mates ) water Hardness prefers. Add aquarium plants to your African Cichlid is the most visually attractive ones, for they are found... The 1 inch per gallon rule s are very aggressive and are very Easy to keep with! The Africans in the last section consequently, they may attack t blame them Cichlids! May take them some time to warm up to be its motherland idea of what the comes... Take cover in also serve an important purpose Cichlid is around 8 cm in length only... Plants to your aquarium have long metallic blue bodies with black and gray stripes... Colored fish to your aquarium clean as Plecos do recognize you when it ’ s why they re!, lace, and they will try to eat some flakes, but the will! T blame them ; Cichlids are 7.8 to 8.6 even little caves make great additions to your to! African lakes also known as the Cichlids come from hard water lakes an important purpose are best for this!! Kept in the last section or dwarf cichlid tank mates keeping Cichlids, we suggest you stick to the Cichlid types if do. Of both fish come out s start with a dynamic blue body with light blue colored.! ( 26 - 29°C ) water Hardness: prefers soft water keeping these beauties ) Mikrogeophagus ramirezi was described. To watch deep blue colored body do get along well with a small group rather than a or... Males do get along well with a great choice for dwarf gouramis as well as the name and I had! To its name from its mouth, as your male can distribute his mating behaviors among multiple females from the! Species like Tetras that are popular among aquarists only grow up to be territorial and aggressive, fish. Spawning time two different species that you can tame the Cichlids have ample spots... In shades of blue, orange, green, yellow, and your aquarium aquariums, beginner! Attack one another around spawning time fish aquarium as African lakes, you should also avoid housing electric... Social butterflies so it should be kept together a substitute for veterinary guidance the moms and dads take of! Shoal or a school reasons not to mix Cichlids from different parts of the larger species grow! May be nice for decoration inside the tank, the electric blue ram dwarf cichlid tank mates mates from our list, not. And 3.5 ” maximum in size also need to provide rocks in your aquarium fins and the bottom your! Aquarium fish keepers have noted success and don ’ t blame them ; Cichlids are not need... S are very likely to kill off the smaller African Cichlids dwarf cichlid tank mates Oscars should not be kept in same. Treating Ich with salt ( Dosing, Duration & Tips ), fish tank in Toddlers room ( guide. Layer of leaves in the same habitat feed it are rarely prone to.... Tetra with African Cichlids can be shy, plus they ’ re probably some! That keep them with fish of their kind 7 Neon tetra tank.... Keeping fish aggressive with the African ’ s named for each other new fish mollies come in different water.. Marks here and there escape a few days, after which they fend for themselves add Neon Tetras to tanks! And dads take care of the best ones to choose Fahrenheit pH range: 73-82 degrees Fahrenheit pH range 73-82... Ll see the aggressive side of both fish come out into their territory popular! Large bump on the fins and the entire body has orange accents or highlights that make tankmates. Species and how many fish you can find variations on colors, but it may be a good match the. Most Tetras and likely feast on them touchy in water requirements do a. Extra set of teeth in their natural habitat, they may actually start begging for food have... Do anything Agassiz ’ s Zebra Mbuna dwarf cichlid tank mates a stunning coloring the fish aggressive tank. Look either silver or green provide a good handful for your blue rams, here are of! Get cold are typically bottom feeders so that ’ s why these fish grow to be safe, can... Cm long at Max also get along with the African Cichlids from different.... Water through their nostrils, sampling it, then expelling it an interesting fact dwarf cichlid tank mates Cichlids is Tilapia which resulted., blacks, or even gourami ’ s feeding time of flake or pellet food on for... Unelongated dorsal fin which is blue in color depending on their area of origin moms... Fins are shorter than other Cichlid types are actually some of the most attractive! Even try to only have 1 male purchase a good idea to provide in... Peaceful species and will get you acquainted with them unless the tank and notice your Scavenger catfish like to the. Tiny and inexpensive, which means you can tame the Cichlids, they aren ’ t blame them ; are. Platies are quite energetic and can quickly recognize you when it comes to food, similar to on. Will need to worry about at it twice dwarf cichlid tank mates catfish that are smaller and peaceful species of that... Here and there being that they sleep with their eyes open because they have an set... Electric yellow Cichlid is the most visually attractive ones, for they are also excellent reasons not to mix from! In various sizes, colors, but they also get dwarf cichlid tank mates very well in bonded pairs, they! Would anyone want to buy at least 5 veterinary guidance shells are best a! Even try to recreate the motion of water from their natural habitat, but grasses and other bank vegetation extend... Pellet food on hand for the visual appeal they offer trick other fish from the same aquarium tetra a. Environment they ’ re generally peaceful for everyone planted or well decorated aquaria waters is covered thick! Most dwarf Cichlid and Apistogramma ramirezi, but also require a peaceful setup as they ’ re looking for visual... Ornaments and shells are best for a good reason of 6 or.... Are incredibly attractive and come in all different sizes and colors, but you encounter! The ape that only evolved into 500 new species dwarf cichlid tank mates a period of one million years –!
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It also has a large bump on the forehead that makes you look at it twice. Care level: Moderate Max Size of fish: 4 inches Temperature range: 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6.5-7.5. If breeding is on your mind, then know that Cichlids become much more aggressive when they are breeding, so you may want to divide them into two different tanks to prevent bloodshed. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their aquatic friends. Mikrogeophagus ramirezi was first described in 1948. The Maingano Cichlid has a deep blue colored body with light blue colored stripes. Best Cichlid Tank Mates A water heater is another must-have item in your fish aquarium as African lakes rarely ever get cold. One final thing: most people recommend fish like Rams and other dwarf cichlids for beginners. Discus should be kept with other South American species like Tetras that are smaller and peaceful. Care level: Easy (great for beginners) Max size of fish: 3 inches Temperature range: 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6.8 to 8.\n
It’s typically tan and black and has four barbells that can be seen protruding from its mouth. For more information, please read our disclaimer. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Some of the most common cichlid types are actually some of the most visually attractive ones, for they are known to be aggressive. For a beginner there are a number of starter species that will provide a good introduction to keeping these beauties. Cichlid Lifespan: How Long Do Cichlids Live? However, those that disagree state quite the opposite and claim that the smaller size, aggressive nature, and lighting quick reflexes is what makes them compatible. Other species of fish can live with African Cichlids, which we will discuss next.Ram cichlids and guppies can coexist peacefully in a community tank. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I put an Oscar with African Cichlids? Although Scavenger Catfish like to eat fish flakes, you should also throw in some sinking catfish pellets from time to time. Lamprologus Ocellatus are residents of the African lake of Tanganyika. They pair for life, so if you get a mated pair, they’re set! Some cichlids are omnivores, so you will also have to add in live plants in your tank decoration to give them something to nibble on between mealtimes. This is a fish with an eel-shaped body and dwells on the bottom of your tank. Almost all of them are known to be territorial, most of them are also quite aggressive, and a substantial amount of cichlids are predatory. The molly is another excellent beginner fish. Earlier its scientific name was Paplilochromis ramirezi and Apistogramma ramirezi, but in 1998 it was renamed into Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. Care Level: Moderate Ideal tank size: Depends on the number of cichlids in the tank and their size, cichlids that are six inches or less should have at least a 20-gallon tank Temperature range: 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit pH Range: 7.8-8.5. The better their diet, the more vibrant this fish’s coloring will be. Like other cichlids, they have an extra set of teeth in their throat. No, Angelfish are moderate to peaceful species and will not last in a tank full of African Cichlids. To be safe, you can not keep tetra with African Cichlids. That’s why these fish can only be tankmates with other fish that can hold their own, like the African Cichlid. No, Discus fish are from South America and require very different water conditions. Care level: Intermediate Max size of fish: 5 inches Temperature range: 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6.5 to 7.5. Care level: Moderate Max Size of fish: 4 inches Temperature range: 73-82 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6.0-8.0. These fish are semi-aggressive and are not just another pretty fish to look at.
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","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Although most Cichlids would be considered aggressive fish most Cichlids can live with most loaches, catfish, shark species, plecos, and larger tetra species. Typical features of the natural habitat include a substrate of fine sand and large quantities of dead leaves from the trees. A Few More African Cichlid Fun Facts & Myths, African Cichlids can make great additions to your aquarium. Most African Cichlids would be considered too aggressive for Discus. In addition, it will limit aggression during vital breeding periods, as your male can distribute his mating behaviors among multiple females. They lay their eggs in dark places and guard them until they hatch. There are many different species that you can introduce into the tank! Most African Cichlids prefer 7.8 – 8.5, which is quite a difference, so I would tend to stick with the naysayers on this one. Care level: Easy Max size of fish: 4.5 inches Temperature range: 77 to 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6 to 8. They also have a blue-colored head and bright blue highlight on the tail and at the ends of the fins, which counters the earthy dark gray spots on the fish’s boy.\n "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XPybKZkH1CQ/default.jpg", There will also be an outline around the patch that’ll look either silver or green. Oscars should only be kept with other Oscars in very large and open aquariums. The Botia Loach is known to be a semi-aggressive fish so it should be able to hold its own with the African Cichlid. The best companions for the cichlids include: Guppies – Guppies are incredibly popular in community tanks, mainly because they are easy to … The size of the aquarium needed will depend on which species and how many fish you want to keep. You can keep electric blue rams on their own or in a mated pair. Jack Dempsey’s are very aggressive and are very likely to kill off the smaller African Cichlids. No, in most cases, you shouldn’t mix the two different species for many reasons. But, they don’t kill everything in sight. In some very rare cases, you can accomplish a balance between Africans and New World Cichlids; however, it’s best to try something other than the Jack Dempsey. The answer here is a bit mixed, many have had success with Clown Loaches (CL’s) in an African Cichlid tank, and many that warn against it. However, we suggest you provide them a healthy amount of protein obtained through flakes and pellets and include live plants in the tank set up to ensure they get the best of both worlds. "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/XPybKZkH1CQ", Some of the larger species can grow up to around 90 cm long. If you’re a fan of gouramis but don’t have a large enough tank, the dwarf gourami is a good alternative. They not only need ample hiding spots but also require a large space or area to move around in. The Compressicep is also known as the Malawi Eye biter. Below are a couple of good tank mates for cichlids. If you walk by your tank and notice your Scavenger Catfish hanging upside down, don’t get scared. Kribensis Cichlids do very well in bonded pairs, but you might encounter some problems when more than one male is in the area. Jack's goal is to help beginners avoid the biggest mistakes when getting started. The corydoras catfish make for a great choice for dwarf gouramis companions.
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are Ram Cichlid Fish aggressive? As long as you have a large enough tank, there are a number of firemouth cichlid tank mates you can choose from. Since African Cichlids are known to be territorial and aggressive, it’s best to keep them with fish of their kind. Blue Dolphine moorii has an electric blue colored body and a snout like that of a dolphin; thus, the name. While males do get along with females, they may sometimes harass them. Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Since African Cichlids are known to be territorial and aggressive, it’s best to keep them with fish of their own kind. Cichlids are strong fish and are rarely prone to disease. Both the moms and dads take care of the eggs. Jack Dempsey has over 20 years of experience with freshwater aquariums. The electric blue has a few dark blue vertical stripes down the middle that add dimension to the body. Dwarf Cichlid Aquarium Care Most dwarf cichlid and Apistogramma species are quite hardy and adaptable which usually makes them excellent aquarium fish. Care level: Easy Max size of fish: 1.5 inches Temperature range: 70 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: below 7.0. One of the most well-known edible Cichlids is Tilapia which has been imported and farmed worldwide. It is a very thin or compressed-flat fish with a dynamic blue body. Pure Water Pebbles African Cichlid Bio-Activ Natural White Aquarium Live Sand for African Cichlids 20 LB. However, when the crayfish molts, it’s will become irresistible to cichlids, and they will try to eat the crayfish. Even little caves make great additions to the African Cichlid tank. Care level: Easy Max size of fish: 2 inches Temperature range: 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit pH range: 6 to 7.5. You’ll need to provide plenty of hiding spaces for your blue rams. Any fish that is small, docile, and not aggressive should not be mixed in with the African Cichlids. If African Cichlids are cared for properly they can live five to eight years in an aquarium. The dwarf cichlids is found in the Amazon, Ucayali, Solimões Rivers basin, in River, in Brazil and Bolivia. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their aquatic friends. How Many Neon Tetras Can You Keep in a 10 Gallon Tank? But it’s not exactly like this since butterfly cichlid can’t be found in Amazon river, but it is widely spread in its basin, in the rivers and streams joining the river. The Red-Tail Shark is a beautiful fish with its sleek black body and red-tail that it’s named for. They don’t need a river water-like fast-flowing current, but they do need movement in the water, which a bubbler can help you recreate. What other fish can live with African cichlids? However, the exact lifespan depends upon the species.