How Long Can Cichlid Fish Live?

Are cichlids hard to keep?

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 cichlids live without oxygen?

None can survive total oxygen loss

, but in a situation with some wiggle room, like filter loss in a planted tank, healthy fish will fare better than sick ones, and fish in otherwise ideal conditions will fare better than overcrowded, stressed-out ones.

How big do Yellow Lab cichlids get?

The average size of the Yellow Lab Cichlid in the wild is

3.2 inches

, with the ability to grow up to 4 inches in well-maintained aquariums and tanks.

How many African cichlids can I put in a 55 gallon tank?

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 cichlids live in a 15 gallon tank?

They wouldn't be compatible

. The footprint of the tank is definitely on the small side, but you could probably get away with a pair of German Blue Rams or a similar sized cichlid, although I've not kept any of the other species. I think the bolivians get a bit bigger than GBRs.

Are cichlids Hardy?

African Cichlids: First and foremost, African cichlids are prized and adored for their beautiful coloration. they are

very hardy fish

, which makes them easy to maintain.

Can cichlids live with other fish?

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.

How do you tell if your cichlids are happy?

1. Healthy appetite.
2. Active swimming.
3. Flared out fins.
4. Shaking or shimmying fins occasionally.
5. Bright and vibrant colors.
6. No blemishes or white spots on the body.
7. No abnormal growths.
8. Clear, normal eyes, not cloudy or bulging.

Do cichlids like water movement?

I know from my experience with African Cichlids, that

they really don't like a lot of current in their tank

. I've found that if there's too much current in the tank, they will very rarely venture out from amoungst the rocks to swim in the open areas.

How do I keep my cichlids happy?

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.

How long can a cichlid go without eating?

While a collection of large, healthy cichlids can easily go

seven to 10 days

without fish food, an aquarium full of baby fish will need to be fed after a day or two.

How often should I clean my cichlid tank?

If you have a large, well established tank you should clean your tank on a

weekly or bi-weekly basis

. A water change should be done to the keep the tank clean and the fish happy. Depending on the type of filter you use for the tank, you may be able to get away with cleaning the tank once per month.

Can cichlids live in a bowl?

There are many types of fish that require special foods, temperatures or housing that make them poor choices for small tanks or fishbowls.

Some Cichlids can be very aggressive and need more space than a small tank or fishbowl can provide

.

How long do electric yellow cichlids live?

Size of fish – inches: 3.2 inches (8.10 cm) – These fish reach a length of about 3′′ (8.1 cm) in the wild, but can grow up to almost 4′′ (10 cm) in the aquarium. Lifespan:

6 years

– The average lifespan for this fish is about 6 to 10 years with proper care.

Why is my yellow Lab cichlid turning black?

the black bars are just a genetic trait the particular fish has inherited

. many of the lions cove yellow labs were line bred to rid them of those bars, but this trait will always be around. if , however, the black trim is gone altogether, then fish could be a hybrid.

How long does it take cichlids to get full grown?

The growth rate of African cichlids varies from 5-7 inches within

1-2 years

whereas South & Central American cichlids grow an average of 6-8 inches within 1-1.5 years. North American cichlids take time to grow 5-6 inches in between 6 months to 1 year.

How often do you feed African cichlids?

Adult cichlids should be fed

3-4 times a day

– an amount they can consume within 30 seconds every time. This feeding style helps to curb a cichlid's aggression over resources. And cichlids are avaricious (borderline obnoxious) eaters – which means they can consume a sizable amount of food within half a minute or so.

How many cichlids can you keep together?

You want to keep

no more than one of each species

because even non-aggressive cichlids can become aggressive when they feel threatened by fishes of a similar species. Apart from this, maintain a 1:3 male-female ratio to avoid trouble.

What bottom feeders can live with African 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.

Are cichlids smart?

Additionally,

cichlids seem highly intelligent

and responsive to their environment in the aquarium, unlike tetras or minnows. In short, the complex behavior of cichlid fish is one of the principal attractions for keeping them in the home aquarium.

Are cichlids good pets?

Many cichlids make good pets

, including my choice of the half dozen here. If it's large and American, it will probably be happy to join your family. This species (pictured above) is sometimes called the Yellow devil as males can be extremely aggressive and hard on females.

Do cichlids have teeth?

Teeth.

All cichlids have teeth

, but the function of them will be different depending on the species. Some fish have smaller rows of teeth for scraping algae off rocks, while others have teeth not dissimilar to fangs for hunting small fish.