Cichlids Care Guide

Cichlids: Care Guide & Species Profile

Cichlids are some of the most colorful fish in the fishkeeping world, which unsurprisingly makes them some of the most popular too.

These fish can be found all around the world, so they’re a really diverse group. There is a species to suit everyone, and each species has a different pattern and color scheme.

Cichlids can be difficult to look after due to their aggressive nature, which can be unexpected for someone buying their first one. This shouldn’t put you off though, as cichlids are social creatures that can easily be kept by someone who knows how to care for them.

This article will cover everything you need to know about cichlids, including their care, habitat, and compatibility. We’ll also discuss some of the most popular species.

~Can I put live plants in my cichlid tank?~

No, you cannot put live plants in your cichlid tank. Most cichlids are omnivores, so they might destroy and eat the plants. They also love digging into their tank substrate to build nests. This behavior will cause the plants to be uprooted and die.

Additionally, most aquatic plants require different water parameters to the ones cichlids live in.

Fake aquarium plants are more suited to cichlid tanks than live plants.

However, if you insist on having live plants, you can try some of these hardy, cichlid-proof plants:

-Java fern

-Anubias

-Crinum

-Java moss

-Hornwort

-Vallisneria

-Echinodorus

~How do you tell if your cichlids are happy?~

You’ll know your cichlids are happy if they exhibit the following signs of happy and healthy cichlids:

-Healthy appetite

-Active swimming

-Flared out fins

-Shaking or shimmying fins occasionally

-Bright and vibrant colors

-No blemishes or white spots on the body

-No abnormal growths

-Clear, normal eyes, not cloudy or bulging

Fulfill your cichlids’ basic needs to keep them happy and healthy. Every type of cichlid has its own specific needs.

In general, cichlids require ample swimming space and lots of hiding places. You also need to maintain the ideal water conditions and clean their tank regularly. Lastly, monitor their tank dynamics and be prepared to separate them if they become too aggressive.

~How many cichlids can you put in a 55-gallon aquarium?~

You can put 10 to 15 cichlids in a 55-gallon aquarium. With that said, it all depends on what type of cichlid you have.

Cichlids are a very diverse fish family – some varieties are tiny, but some are huge. As a general rule, a two-inch cichlid requires ten gallons of water to live comfortably. So, the bigger the cichlids, the fewer you can fit in a tank.

For example, African cichlids grow to be around six inches long, so you can fit up to ten African cichlids in a 55-gallon aquarium. Meanwhile, mature dwarf cichlids are only 3.5 inches long, so you can fit 15 of them in a 55-gallon tank.

~Do cichlids prefer sand or gravel?~

Cichlids prefer sand. Cichlids love digging into the sand and burrowing to build nests and scavenge for food. Additionally, some cichlids also need to ingest a small amount of sand to aid their digestion.

But not all sand is equal. Though it won’t harm your cichlids, large-grained sand might limit their natural activities. Look for fine-grained sand that has a pH buffering ability, such as natural aragonite, black sand, crushed coral, coral sand, and crushed oyster shells.

If sand substrates aren’t available, you can opt for fine gravel instead. However, never use coarse gravel, as it may injure your cichlids or limit their natural behaviors.