Cichlids

A good number of the cichlids in this list stay under 3 inches (8 cm), and several are genuine community fish. The kribensis is the easy starting point: 4 inches (10 cm), 20 gallons (75 liters), peaceful outside its cave. The cockatoo and umbrella cichlids and the other apistos want soft water, a pair, and caves to claim, in tanks from 18 gallons (70 liters). The Bolivian ram is steadier than its German cousin. The keyhole cichlid is one of the gentlest cichlids kept. For hard water there are the Tanganyikan shell dwellers: the multies live in a colony of empty snail shells and stay under 2 inches (5 cm).

Malawi cichlids are the bright ones in the shop, and they are hard-water fish first: pH 7.5–8.5, 75–82°F (24–28°C), rock piles for territory. Mbuna such as the red zebra are aggressive and are kept in crowded, well-filtered groups so no single fish can hold a territory. Peacocks and haps are milder and larger; an all-male peacock tank gives the colour without the breeding fights. The electric yellow is the easy mbuna, the sunshine and OB peacocks are easy peacocks, and the blue dolphin and venustus are the milder haps, reaching 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) and wanting 65 to 75 gallons (250 to 280 liters).

The Central and South American cichlids run from a 30 gallon (115 liter) angelfish tank to fish that need a room. Angelfish, the firemouth and the rainbow cichlid are the approachable ones, all around 6 inches (15 cm), the rainbow cichlid the most peaceful of the three. Convicts are the same size and easy to keep but breed constantly and defend the fry against anything. Severums and oscars reach 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm); the oscar wants 95 gallons (360 liters) to itself. Discus are the exception in the group: soft, very warm water at 79–90°F (26–32°C), spotless conditions, and a difficult rating that is earned.

A small set of cichlids grow to 14 inches (35 cm) and well beyond, and belong in tanks most homes cannot hold. The Central American red devil, midas and trimac cichlids reach 14 inches (35 cm) and 75 to 90 gallons (284 to 340 liters); the flowerhorn, a man-made hybrid, reaches 16 inches (40 cm) and wants 90 gallons (340 liters). The wolf cichlid reaches 28 inches (70 cm) and 250 gallons (946 liters), and the Tanganyikan emperor cichlid reaches 31 inches (80 cm) and 530 gallons (2000 liters). The peacock bass are the largest of all: the speckled peacock bass reaches 39 inches (99 cm), and the others run from around 20 inches (50 cm) to 29 inches (74 cm) and list 200 gallons (800 liters) or more. Every profile lists adult size and minimum tank size; check both before the fish is in the bag.