Are Chichlids Good Community Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As long as the cichlid species you choose is fairly peaceful and doesn’t tend to prey on smaller fish, it can be considered for a community tank

.

Should you keep cichlids in pairs?

Can cichlids live alone? When provided with clean water and food, in theory most cichlids are able to survive alone. However

it is best to keep at least a breeding pair or more to allow them to thrive

. The only cichlid that is often kept alone is the Oscar.

Are cichlids good for beginners?


If there is one universally agreed upon beginner cichlid, it’s probably the convict cichlid

. These fish are incredibly hardy, breed readily, and are extremely prolific. If someone wants to experience all a cichlid has to offer, then these are the perfect fish.

Can you put 2 cichlids together?


South American River Cichlids, also known as large river cichlids, are another species that can be housed together

. They’re far less prone to aggression and can even get along with other fish like Corydoras and tetras!

Can I put cichlids in a community tank?


As long as the cichlid species you choose is fairly peaceful and doesn’t tend to prey on smaller fish, it can be considered for a community tank.

Can neon tetras live with cichlids?

Most people recommend to keep a cichlid only tank, but a lot of people add other fish and make it work. Most African cichlids grow quite big and are therefore able to eat all tetras. Therefore,

one can not keep African cichlids together with tetras

.

Are cichlids social?


The cichlid social dichotomy is composed of a single dominant with multiple subordinates

, where the physical aggression of males becomes a contest for resources (mates, territory, food). Female cichlids prefer to mate with a successfully alpha male with vivid coloration, whose territory has food readily available.

Can cichlids live together?

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.

Do cichlids crossbreed?

Hybrids are quite common in the cichlid hobby.

Almost any Central American cichlid will hybridize with any other

. Many of the mbuna (rock dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi) will hybridize with each other.

Are cichlids hard to take care of?


Yes, cichlids are hard to keep

. Even though they’re hardy, taking care of cichlids is a challenge. The biggest issue when it comes to cichlids is their aggression.

How big do convicts get?

The average convict cichlid size is around

4-5 inches when fully grown

. These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. The advantage of this is it means you can keep them in smaller tanks than other species as well.

How big do cichlids get?

Fully-grown African cichlids reach

2 to 12 inches long

, depending on the type of African cichlid. The longest African cichlids are big mouth haps, which grow up to 12 inches. Multies are the smallest African cichlid species, reaching two inches when fully grown.

Can Oscars live with cichlids?

Because Oscars grow fairly large, they will not thrive in a small tank and

they generally do not get along well with other cichlids

. The key to ensuring that your Oscars live a full and healthy life is to create a tank environment that mimics their natural environment.

Can cichlids live with Mollies?


Molly and cichlids can live together

. However, you need to consider that there are more than 1000 species of cichlids and display quite different personalities. Therefore, mollies are compatible with specific species of cichlids.

What is the most colorful cichlid?


African Rift Lake Cichlids

are among the most colorful, active and hardy freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. Their colors rival those of many saltwater fish, and their elaborate mating and brood care behavior are fascinating to watch.

Are dwarf cichlids community fish?

Final Thoughts. Though many species of large cichlids have a reputation for belligerence,

there are plenty of dwarf cichlids that make peaceful enough community fish

, provided the habitat contains lots of hiding places and dense plant cover.

What are peaceful cichlids?

What South American cichlids can live together?

Non-aggressive cichlids such as

Bolivian Ram, Blue Acara, Keyhole, the electric yellow African, Peacock Cichlids

are the best types of cichlids that can live together; they let the other fishes live in their own space instead of bullying and showing them territorial behaviors.

What can live with American cichlids?

  • Silver dollar fish.
  • Clown loach.
  • Corydoras Catfish.
  • Leopard bush fish.
  • Otocinclus.
  • Dwarf gourami.
  • Pearl gourami.

Can cichlids and Glofish live together?

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

. Bear in mind that peaceful bottom-dwellers such as loaches and plecos should not be put along a Glo shark.

Can cichlids live with guppies?

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.

Are cichlids schooling?


All cichlid fish are parental

— that is, they care for their eggs and young, which sets them apart from the majority of fishes. The details of this parental behavior vary from species to species.

Are cichlids messy?

They have been known to grow up to 18inches, so they need a fairly large tank. Ideally a 75-gallon tank and a further 50 gallons for each additional Oscar added. The aquarium should have good filtration as

they are known for being messy fish

.

Why are cichlids so popular?

Malawi cichlids are popular around the world because

they add so much life and color to tropical freshwater aquariums everywhere

. Nothing compares to the wild patterns and intense colors of these rare tropical fish.

How many cichlids can you keep together?

African cichlids do better when crowded with other African cichlids, but they should be monitored for aggressive behavior and removed if needed.

A 55 gallon tank can house up to 15 African cichlids depending on species, maximum size and temperament

.

Can you put African and South American cichlids together?

Can you put Angelfish with cichlids?

Species to Avoid

If kept in a tank with aggressive tank mates, your angelfish are likely to become stressed and they may fail to thrive. For this reason,

it is generally not recommended that you keep angelfish with Oscars or other cichlids

aside from the very small species that have already been mentioned.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.