Frontosa African Cichlid

Scientific Name: Cyphotilapia frontosa
Maximum Size:  15 inches
Life expectancy: 15 years
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 82 °F
pH Range: 7.8 – 8.5
Water hardness: dH 10 – 15
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
Because of their large size Frontosa’s need at least a 70 – 100 gallon tank. Tank length is more important than the height, as it will give them more swimming space.

Substrate can be either fine gravel or sand and several caves should be added for hiding places. Never use rocks with sharp edges, when scared Frontosa’s will dart through the water and they will injure themselves on sharp edges.

Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid

Common Names: Yellow Lab, electric yellow lab, Canary Cichlid, Lemon Drop
Scientific Name: Labidochromis caeruleus
Maximum Size: 5 inches
Life expectancy: 10 years
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 82 °F
pH Range: 7.8 – 8.5
Water hardness: dH 10 – 15
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Lake Malawi

Aquarium Setup:
Yellow labs will claim their own territories and fight to protect it. Longer tanks are more suitable than tall ones, as this will provide more space for territories.

Having a lot of rock formations and caves in the tank so each fish can claim their own area will help in preventing fights. It will also provide hiding places for fish that feel threatened.

The aquarium should have a sandy bottom as these Cichlids love to dig. They will also dig up plants and eat most types…

Blue Ram Cichlid

Common Names: Blue Ram, Dwarf Ram, Butterfly Cichlid
Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi
Maximum Size: 3 inches
Life expectancy: 3 years
Minimum Tank Size:  30 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 79°F
pH Range: 5.0 – 7.0
Water hardness: Soft
Temperament: Semi Peaceful
Origin: South America

Aquarium Setup:
Open aquarium space is needed for these active swimmers. Plants should be arranged in dense groups instead of spread out over the tank bottom.

Blue Rams love caves where they can hide, any hollow tank decoration of the correct size will work fine. Rams will spawn on top of stones, so add several especially if you’re planning on breeding them.

Brichardi Cichlid

Common Names: Fairy Cichlid Brichardi, Lyretail Cichlid
Scientific Name: Neolamprologus brichardi
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 77°F
pH Range: 8.0 – 9.0
Water hardness: dH 9 – 19
Temperament: Peaceful to Aggressive depending upon tank mates
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
The Brichardi Cichlid likes an aquarium with a lot of decorations, especially those that provide cave like hiding places, where each fish can stake out a territory. In the wilds of Lake Tanganyika the Brichardi inhabits small caves near the shoreline along a rocky bottom. You should also provide plenty of open water space for swimming as they like to move around a lot. Keep this in mind when you arrange your aquarium.

Brichardi Cichlids have a tendency to dig so be sure that larger rocks are well anchored or…

Blue Peacock Cichlid

Common Names: Blue Peacock Cichlid, African Peacock, Peacock Cichlid, Blue Cichlid
Scientific Name: Aulonocara
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 80°F
pH Range: 7.4 – 8.6
Water hardness: 10 – 15
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Origin: Lake Malawi, East Africa

Aquarium Setup:
These cichlids need a lot of open space for swimming. Tank decorations should be placed to allow adequate room at both the bottom and middle sections of the tank. The freshwater tank should include a sandy bottom, some rocks and plants.

Electric Blue Cichlid

Common Names: Electric Blue, Electric Blue Ahli, Blue Hap
Scientific Name: Sciaenochromis ahli
Maximum Size: 8 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 – 80°F
pH Range: 7.8 – 8.5
Temperament: Aggressive and territorial
Origin: Lake Malawi

Aquarium Setup:
The Electric Blue needs plenty of room in which to swim and prefer to be in open water. It is OK to have a few rocks for decoration, just remember that they like a lot of space. Once the Electric Blue gets to be about three inches long it will begin digging up any plants you may have as well as overturning rocks or ornaments.

The best setup for an Electric Blue Cichlid is one or two medium to large rocks on a substrate of medium sized rocks, gravel should not be used.

Oscar Fish

Common Name: Oscar, Marble Cichlid, Velvet Cichlid
Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus
Maximum Size: 14 inches
Temperature Range: 72 – 81 °F
pH Range: 6.0 – 8.0 
Temperament: Peaceful
Origin: Amazon River

 The Oscar originated in the Amazon River of South America, but today most all Oscars sold are tank bred.

Aquarium Setup:
An Oscar is a big fish and needs a lot of water and space. They also don’t like to be alone so you should consider getting a pair, at the least. A general rule of thumb is 35 gallons per fish, that’s 70 gallons for a pair.

Golden Julie Cichlid

Scientific Name: Julidochromis ornatus
Maximum Size: 3″ inches
Temperature Range: 77 – 79 °F
pH: 8.6
Water Hardness:  Very Hard
Temperament: Aggressive and territorial
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Aquarium Setup:
The Golden Julie is indigenous to Lake Tanganyika and is accustomed to a high sediment rocky habitat. Sand, or a similar material, makes the best substrate, but small gravel may also be used.

Kenyi Cichlid

Scientific Name: Metriaclima lombardoi
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Temperature Range: 78 – 82 °F
pH Range: 7.8 – 8.6
Water Hardness: Very Hard
Temperament: Very Aggressive
Origin: Lake Malawi

Aquarium setup:
Kenyi Cichlids prefer a rocky environment with plenty of caves and places to hide. The best substrate material is sand, but small gravel may also be used. Minimum tanks size – 50 gallons.

Malawi Eye Biter Cichlid

Scientific Name: Dimidiochromis compressiceps
Maximum Size: 11″ inches
Temperature Range: 78 – 82 °F
pH Range: 7.8 – 8.6
Water Hardness: Hard
Temperament: Peaceful to mildly aggressive
Origin: Lake Malawi

Aquarium Setup:
The Malawi Eye Biter, in its natural habitat, prefers to hang out in the dense reeds which grow in the sediment rich bay areas of Lake Malawi. You will want to provide plenty of plants (artificial or real) with a substrate of sand or very fine gravel.