Last Updated: May 24, 2026
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African cichlids are some of the most visually stunning fish in freshwater. I’ve always said they’re the closest thing to a saltwater display you can get without the saltwater complexity. I’ve set up Malawi and Tanganyika tanks over the years and both have their own distinct character. This guide covers the species I find most interesting and most manageable.
African cichlids are some of the most colorful freshwater fish on the planet. and I’ve been keeping them for decades across everything from Lake Malawi mbuna setups to Lake Tanganyika shellies. The diversity is staggering: over 1,600 species, wildly different temperaments, and care requirements that vary significantly by species. This guide covers 21 of the best choices I’d actually recommend, with honest notes on what makes each one work (or not) in a home aquarium.
Expert Take (Mark Valderrama, AquariumStoreDepot)
African cichlids are the closest thing to saltwater fish color in a freshwater tank. After 25 years in the hobby, I still recommend them to keepers who want high visual impact without managing a reef. The catch: they need hard, alkaline water, high stocking density to spread aggression, and a lake-specific approach. Mix lake types and you will have problems. Keep them right and you get one of the most spectacular freshwater displays available.
Key Takeaways
- African cichlids are some of the most colorful, active, and exotic freshwater fish. They look a lot like tropical reef fish at first glance.
- Most species come from the hard alkaline waters of Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi.
- Many African cichlids are highly territorial and aggressive, so choose tank mates carefully.
- Other African cichlids make the best tank mates, but not all species are compatible.
- Pay close attention to your cichlid’s diet. Many species need a mostly vegetarian diet, and high-protein fish food can cause health problems.
Major Groups
African cichlids are a diverse group of freshwater fish found all over the African continent. They range in size from the diminutive 2-inch shell-dwellers to the emperor cichlid that reaches 3 feet!
Most of the popular African cichlids in the aquarium hobby come from Lake Malawi, although there are many famous species from Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria too.
African cichlids are usually grouped into a few main categories. Let’s take a look at the most popular groups:
Mbunas
The mbuna cichlids are some of the most popular African Cichlids in the hobby. These small to medium-sized fish are hardy, colorful, and active. However, mbuna cichlids have a dark side too.
These fish are highly territorial and can be very aggressive toward other fish. The males are the most aggressive, and they tend to attack other males of their own species or other similar-looking fish.
Ideally, you should keep them in a species-only setup with one male and a few females, or in a heavily stocked mixed mbuna tank that does not allow enough space for individual territories.
Mbuna’s come from Lake Malawi and are mostly herbivorous. They will eat some meaty fish food, but too much is very bad for their health.
Peacocks
Peacock Cichlids are awesome African cichlids from the Aulonocara genus. The males are some of the most colorful freshwater fish on the planet, although females tend to be drab and mostly brown or gray.
These fish come from Lake Malawi, just like the Mbunas, but that doesn’t mean the two groups make ideal tank mates.
Peacock cichlids are mostly carnivorous, and they are less aggressive than Mbunas. The differences in diet and the likelihood of fighting make it better to ‘pick a side’ in most cases.
Peacock cichlids are pretty easy to breed, but you should take care to avoid cross-breeding them with similar species. The females look very similar, so keep just one species in your tank to avoid confusion.
Haps
Haps are a diverse group of generally larger carnivorous African cichlids. They are fairly peaceful fish, but many of them of piscivorous which means they will eat any tank mates small enough to swallow.
Haps need a large tank with plenty of swimming space to really thrive. Many species will require over a hundred gallons, but there are options for a 75-gallon tank.
Tropheus
These popular Lake Tanganyika cichlids are similar in behavior to the mbunas of Lake Malawi. There are about 8 species and they prefer to live in rocky areas, especially with plenty of caves and other hiding spots.
These African cichlids make fascinating pets in the home aquarium but are highly aggressive and territorial. Tropheus are mostly vegetarian and require a daily supply of spirulina flakes and the occasional supplement of meaty foods like mysis and brine shrimp.
Shell Dwellers
African cichlids tend to be medium to large freshwater fish, and most species need a medium to large fish tank. Fortunately, there is a group of dwarf cichlid species that can live in tanks as small as 10 gallons!
The shell-dwellers are a fascinating group of African cichlids from Lake Tanganyika that live and breed in the empty shells of aquatic snails. These tiny fish vary from just 1.5 to 2.5 inches and can be kept in small colonies in nano aquariums.
Western Species
Most of the popular African cichlids hail from the great African Lakes in the east, although there are a few options from West and Central Africa. Popular West African cichlids include the African butterfly cichlid, the jewel cichlid, and the popular kribensis cichlid.
Top 21 Types of African Cichlids
Are you ready to meet 21 amazing African Cichlid species? Check out the following important facts for each species before choosing your next fish:
- Scientific Name
- Size
- Minimum Tank Size
- Lake Type
- Cichlid Type
- Color Form
- Water Temperature
- pH
- Hardness requirements
- Diet
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- Scientific Name: Buccochromis rhoadesii
- Size: 16 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
- Lake Type: Lake Malawi
- Cichlid Type: Large Hap
- Color Form: Blue and yellow
- Water Temperature: 74 – 82°F
- pH: 7.5 – 8.4
- Hardness requirements: 10 – 20 dKH
- Diet: Carnivorous, feed meaty foods
Buccochromis rhoadesii (video source) is a large predatory cichlid that hunts by chasing down smaller fish. These colorful fish are also known as the yellow lepturus cichlid. This is an active species that requires a large aquarium to thrive, although they can be kept with a number of other large haps.
8. Ngara Flametail
- Scientific Name: Aulonocara stuartgranti
- Size: 6 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
- Lake Type: Lake Malawi
- Cichlid Type: Peacock cichlid
- Color Form: Blue and yellow
- Water Temperature: 74 – 82°F
- pH: 7.5 – 8.4
- Hardness requirements: 10 – 15 dKH
- Diet: Omnivorous but requires a meaty diet
The Maulana bicolor peacock cichlid is another great variety of Grant’s peacock, a widespread cichlid in Lake Malawi. This form comes from the Chitimba Bay area on the northwest coast.
Male Maulana bicolor peacocks are electric blue with a characteristic yellow/orange stripe just behind the head. The smaller females have dull brown colors and are difficult to distinguish from other female peacocks.
11. OB Peacock
- Scientific Name: Aulonocara sp. ‘Lwanda’
- Size: 6 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
- Lake Type: Lake Malawi
- Cichlid Type: Peacock
- Color Form: Blue and orange
- Water Temperature: 78 – 82°F
- pH: 7.5 – 8.5
- Hardness requirements: 10 – 15 dKH
- Diet: Carnivorous, feed them quality flakes or pellets and live/frozen foods
The Lwanda peacock cichlid is a deep-bodied species with shapely fins. Males have an interesting mix of colors, combining blue and orange on the body and fins.
These territorial fish should be kept in a small group consisting of one male and a few females. They are fairly easy to breed but may hybridize with other Aulonocara species.
15. Dragon Blood Peacock
The Saulosi cichlid (video source) is known as a dwarf mbuna because they usually grow to just 3.5 inches or so. These fish really draw attention, and males and females add variety with completely different colors! Males are electric blue with dark vertical stripes and females are plain yellow/orange.
They are true Mbunas, although they are less aggressive than other species from this group. Keep these fish in a rocky aquascape that mimics their natural habitat.
19. Calvus
- Scientific Name: Altolamprologus calvus
- Size: 3-6 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Lake Type: Lake Tanganyika
- Cichlid Type: Predatory rock-dweller
- Color Form: Black and white
- Water Temperature: 75 – 80°F
- pH: 7.5 – 9
- Hardness requirements: 10 – 20 dKH
- Diet: Carnivorous. Provide meaty frozen foods
The calvus cichlid is a unique predatory fish with a strange body shape and dramatic markings. They may not have any bright colors, but their spectacular spots and stripes make them stand out in any aquarium!
Calvus are predators, with big mouths for swallowing live prey like insects and small fish. They are not aggressive towards similar-sized fish and should not be kept with other boisterous fish like mbunas or tropheus.
20. Demasoni
- Scientific Name: Pseudotropheus demasoni
- Size: 3 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
- Lake Type: Lake Malawi
- Cichlid Type: Mbuna
- Color Form: Blue and black
- Water Temperature: 75 – 82°F
- pH: 7.8 – 8.8
- Hardness requirements: 10 – 15 dKH
- Diet: Omnivorous. Feed mostly spirulina flake and greens but supplement with live/frozen foods.
Demasoni cichlids are small but highly aggressive Lake Malawi Cichlids that are not afraid to tackle larger species. They can be kept with other mbunas but it’s best to avoid similar-looking tank mates.
Both males and females are great-looking fish, and they can be tricky to sex. However, males grow larger than females and are more aggressively territorial.
21. Duboisi
- Scientific Name: Tropheus duboisi
- Size: 4.8 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 29 gallons
- Lake Type: Lake Tanganyika
- Cichlid Type: Rock dwellers
- Color Form: Black and white
- Water Temperature: 73 – 81°F
- pH: 8 – 9.5
- Hardness requirements: 10 – 20 dKH
- Diet: Omnivorous. Feed mostly spirulina flake and greens but supplement with live/frozen foods.
The duboisi cichlid is also known as the white spotted cichlid because it has white spots on a black body when young. Mature fish fade to a blue-black shade and develop a single white bar on either side of their body.
These fish are highly aggressive toward their own species but relatively peaceful with other fish. They can be kept as a single specimen or in a large school (15+) in a limited space.
Mark’s Pick
For Lake Malawi, the electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri) is my top pick for a display tank: bold, colorful, and large enough to hold territory without destroying smaller fish. For Tanganyika, Julidochromis transcriptus for personality and breeding activity. For beginners, the yellow lab (Labidochromis caeruleus) is the most forgiving Malawi cichlid you can keep and the right starting point.
Tank Setup and Care Tips
African cichlids are hardy and easy to keep if you choose their tank mates correctly and provide them with a healthy natural environment. Let’s run through a few important African cichlid care tips.
Tank Size
Most African cichlids need a medium to large aquarium, although some of the dwarf cichlid species like Neolamprologus can be housed in a 10 to 20-gallon tank.
The 55-gallon aquarium is a great budget-friendly larger tank. It often goes on sale at chain pet stores.
30 gallons is the minimum for some of the dwarf Mbunas and peacocks, but a 55-gallon tank is the recommended starting point for an African cichlid community.
Diet
African cichlids are a diverse group of fish, so a one-size-fits-all approach is not recommended. These fish can be very sensitive to poor nutrition, and easily develop problems like obesity and even dangerous health conditions like Malawi bloat.
Ron is an African Cichlid breeder with over 25 years in experience who created a line of food that is well balanced. A great option when you can’t use frozen foods.
Most African cichlids can be fed prepared foods like cichlid pellets and spirulina flakes, although a more balanced diet is necessary for long-term health. The mbunas in particular require a low-protein diet consisting of algae and vegetable matter, with the occasional meaty supplement.
Choosing Tank Mates
Choosing tank mates for African cichlids can be a daunting task. Often the best results come from intentionally overstocking their tank so there is no room for them to claim any territories.
Make sure to research compatibility carefully before adding new fish to your tank, and remember that sex ratios can be just as important as a species selection.
It’s also possible to attempt an all male cichlid tank. For further details on how to attempt this I suggest checking out the this cichlid forum.
Maintenance
African Cichlids are pretty messy fish, and a heavily stocked community tank is going to need high filtration and regular maintenance. Over-filtering is the norm with these tanks, and weekly water changes are recommended to manage nitrate levels.
High flow, large filtration capacity, and quality plumbing – The FX series is designed for monster fish keepers
FAQs
What Is The Most Common African Cichlid Species?
What Are The 2 Main Groups Of Cichlids?
How Many Types Of Malawi Species Are There?
What Is The Rarest Species?
What Is The Rarest Species?
What Are Some Of The Most Peaceful Species?
Frontosa Cichlids may have an intimidating look, but they are actually gentle giants in an African cichlid aquarium. The kribensis cichlids are one of the few African species that can be kept in a small community tank with other popular freshwater fish species, although they can be aggressive when breeding.
African Cichlid Groups at a Glance
| Group | Origin | pH | Aggression | Min Tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mbuna (rock cichlids) | Lake Malawi | 7.8–8.5 | High | 55 gal (208 L) |
| Haplochromines (haps) | Lake Malawi | 7.8–8.5 | Medium | 75 gal (284 L) |
| Peacock cichlids | Lake Malawi | 7.8–8.5 | Low-Medium | 55 gal (208 L) |
| Julidochromis | Lake Tanganyika | 8.0–9.0 | Medium | 40 gal (151 L) |
| Tropheus | Lake Tanganyika | 8.0–9.0 | Very High | 75 gal (284 L) |
| West African (kribs) | Rivers/lakes | 6.5–7.5 | Low-Medium | 30 gal (113 L) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Mixing cichlids from different lakes (incompatible water chemistry and behavior)
- Understocking mbuna (concentrates aggression on individuals)
- Soft, acidic water (most African cichlids decline slowly in the wrong water chemistry)
- Adding timid community fish (they will not survive in an African cichlid setup)
Final Thoughts
African cichlids are real eye candy for fish lovers. Their bright colors, interesting behaviors, and high activity levels make an African cichlid tank one of the most captivating to keep. Hopefully, you have enjoyed this article and learned more about some of Africa’s most exciting freshwater fish!
Do you keep African cichlids? Tell us about your favorite species in the comments below!
- About the Author
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I’m Mark Valderrama, founder of Aquarium Store Depot and a fishkeeper with over 25 years of hands-on experience. I started in the hobby at age 11, worked at local fish stores, and have kept freshwater tanks, ponds, and reef tanks ever since. I’ve been featured in two best-selling aquarium books on Amazon and built this site to share practical, experience-based fish keeping knowledge.
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