TankBud

Rainbow cichlid

Herotilapia multispinosa

FreshwaterFish

Rainbow cichlid (Herotilapia multispinosa)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
6.3 in
16 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica

Overview

The rainbow cichlid is one of the more peaceful Central American cichlids and is willing to share a community tank. It is easy to keep and a good first cichlid.

Did you know

Rainbow cichlid parents give attentive brood care. They will move their fry around the tank and even chew up food to feed them.

Caring for the rainbow cichlid

Give rainbow cichlids at least 26 gal (100 L), with open swimming room. Add some rock or wood for cover, over a substrate they can dig in.

Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. The rainbow cichlid is an omnivore that leans toward algae and plant matter. Feed a varied diet with vegetable content, alongside pellets and the occasional meaty treat.

It is peaceful and stays in the middle of the tank, but it gets territorial when breeding. Give a breeding pair space, and watch the tank mates then.

Rainbow cichlids are biparental substrate spawners. A pair lays eggs on a cleaned surface, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The rainbow cichlid is a Central American member of the family Cichlidae. It has tricuspid teeth, with three cusps for grazing algae, which is an unusual trait among Central American cichlids.

In the wild

The rainbow cichlid comes from warm lakes, ponds and slow rivers in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It is often found over soft bottoms with plants and submerged wood, in neutral to slightly alkaline water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The rainbow cichlid is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a rainbow cichlid need?

A rainbow cichlid needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a rainbow cichlid need?

A rainbow cichlid is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a rainbow cichlid eat?

A rainbow cichlid is an omnivore that leans toward algae and plant matter. Feed it a varied diet with vegetable content, alongside pellets and the occasional meaty treat.

How big does a rainbow cichlid get?

An adult rainbow cichlid reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).

How does a rainbow cichlid breed?

Rainbow cichlids are substrate spawners. A pair lays eggs on a cleaned surface, both parents guard the eggs and fry, and breeding them is hard.

Related species