Cichlids
There are many different kinds of cichlids. It is a very diverse group.
African Lake Cichlids Under 7 inches
These cichlids are mostly medium sized and colorful. They all like a ph that is above 7.5. There is a huge amount of species, so I will explain the more popular and common ones. The electric blue hap is an all blue fish that can get to 6 in. The electric blue johanni has dark blue and light blue stripes. Leleupi cichlids are small, bright yellow, and peaceful. Shell dweller cichlids are small, and they do live in shells. The brichardi is attractive and small. There are many different forms of tropheus moorii cichlids, but they are all 6in. and peaceful. All mbuna cichids are the same exept for their color: they are 4in., slightly aggressive, and colorful. The small puesdotropheus cichlid has a red form and a blue form. Julie cichids are mostly black and white and small. The small goby cichlid is one of the few bottom dwelling cichlids. Peacock cichlids are 5 inch fish that are hard not to like.
These are a few African cichlids. From top to bottom: unknown/ possibly Auratus, Melanochromis Johanii/ Electric Blue Johani, Bumblebee Cichlid.
African Lake Cichlids over 7 inches
These cichlids are not as common as the smaller ones. They like the same water conditions as the smaller lake cichlids. The frontosa is the most commonly seen large african lake cichlid, and it can get up to 14 inches. Strange looking and agressive, the malawi eye biter can get up to 10 inches in length. Malawi blue dolphins are all blue and 10 inches in length. Elephantnose cichlids are mostly brown fish that can get about 10 inches long. You won't see very many large african lake cichlids.
A young malawi eye-biter. It will get bigger.
2 big male frontosas.Tropheus moori in background.
African River Cichlids
These fish are mostly not too small. They like slightly acidic water. Kribensis cichlids are like the perfect fish, they are small, attractive, and easy to keep and breed. The beautiful 5 inch jewel cichlid is peaceful at most times but gets very agressive when breeding. Tiger tilapas are agressive but somewhat attractive 12 inch fish. By the way, that is not the tilapia that you eat. Thomas's dwarf cichlids attractive fish with the same statistics as kribensis. The congo dwarf cichlid is similar and somewhat related to the krib.
A young jewel cichlid. It will get redder and redder as it grows.
Small flowerpots make great spawning sites for kribensis.
Central American Cichlids
These cichlids, although attractive and easy to spawn, are often large and aggressive. They like warm, slightly alkaline water. Convict cichlids are common and only 6 in., but they become aggressive when spawning. Jack dempseys , named after a famous boxer, are the same size as convicts, but prettier and more aggressive.The jaguar cichlid is a very, very aggressive 12 incher, but it is somewhat attractive. The red devil is just like the jaguar but more attractive. Firemouths are rather popular 6 in. fish.
South American Dwarf Cichlids
Most of these belong to the family Apistogramma. They like very warm and acidic water. All apistogrammas are only 2.5 inches long. The species of Apistogramma are Apistogramma Agazazzi, Cockatoides, Honglosi, Vejita, and many more. Golden-Eyed Cichlids get about 4 in. long. Ram Cichlids are small and come in many different color forms, but are very delicate.
A young female Apistogramma Hongsloi.
This Apistogramma Hongsloi is a male that is not in breeding condition.
South American Cichlids
These cichlids are generally less aggressive than most cichlids. They like the same water conditions as the dwarf cichlids. The angelfish is a extremely popular 6 in fish. Altum angelfish are a little bigger and a lot taller than normal angelfish. All pike cichlids, exept for the 3 in. dwarf pike cichlid, can get a foot or more long and are messy eaters. The foot long oscar is often kept in tanks that are way too small. 6 in. Green terrors, as their name implies, are rather mean. The 4 in. keyhole cichlid is very peaceful. At a foot long, the severum is one of the larger cichlids. The blue acara will grow about 7 in. long if you care for it well. Discus fish are colorful, 6 in. long, and very delicate.
Asian Cichlids
There are very few Asian Cichlids,and they are rare. They like warm, alkaline, brackish water. Brackish water has a little bit of salt in it. The Orange Chromis are pretty 4 in. fish. Green Chromi are to large for most peoples tanks.
