Cichlids - African

Explore all cichlids - african in our database. Browse detailed care guides, compatibility information, and species data to find the perfect fish for your aquarium.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 Fish Profiles

African Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis bimaculatus

Cichlids - African

14 cm Aggressive

A strikingly beautiful but notoriously aggressive West African riverine cichlid. Unlike the alkaline-loving Rift Lake cichlids (e.g., Mbuna), Jewel Cichlids prefer neutral, softer water parameters. They are renowned for their brilliant red breeding dress and iridescent blue spots, but also for their extreme territoriality, especially when forming pairs and spawning. They are avid diggers and will uproot most plants.

Blue Dolphin (Hap)

Cyrtocara moorii

Cichlids - African

25 cm Semi-Aggressive

A striking blue Lake Malawi Haplochromine cichlid famous for the pronounced nuchal hump (head bump) that develops in mature adults, resembling a dolphin. They are benthopelagic micro-predators that naturally follow digging fish in the wild to catch stirred-up morsels. While relatively peaceful for an African Cichlid, they grow very large and require extensive swimming space and hard, alkaline water.

Demasoni Cichlid (Mbuna)

Chindongo demasoni

Cichlids - African

8 cm Highly Aggressive

A stunning but notoriously aggressive dwarf Mbuna from Lake Malawi. Known for its intense dark blue and black vertical stripes. They are strict herbivores (Aufwuchs grazers) and prone to 'Malawi Bloat' if fed high-protein diets. Due to extreme aggression toward their own kind, they require specific stocking densities.

Kribensis

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Cichlids - African

10 cm Semi-Aggressive

A vibrant and highly popular dwarf cichlid native to the slow-moving rivers of West Africa. Unlike Rift Lake African cichlids, they prefer soft, slightly acidic water and densely planted tanks. They are generally peaceful in a community tank but become fiercely territorial and aggressive when breeding, often digging pits in the substrate and claiming the bottom zone. They are cave spawners and require hiding spots like driftwood or coconut shells.

Yellow Lab (Mbuna)

Labidochromis caeruleus

Cichlids - African

10 cm Semi-Aggressive

The Electric Yellow Lab is one of the most popular and widely kept African Cichlids from Lake Malawi. Classified as an Mbuna (rock-dwelling cichlid), they are famous for their vibrant yellow coloration and striking black dorsal stripes. While considered one of the most 'peaceful' Mbuna, they are still highly territorial cichlids that require hard, alkaline water, a sandy substrate for digging, and abundant rockwork to establish territories.