12 Unique Cichlids for Your Aquarium

Scientific Name:     Hypselecara temporalis

Common Name:      Chocolate Cichlid, Emerald Cichlid

Originates from:      South America

Water parameters:      pH: 5.0-7.0, dH: up to 15 degrees. Temperature 76-86°F (24-30°C)

Behavior:      Semi-Aggressive

Care difficulty level:      Moderate

Appearance:     

They have spherical and egg-shaped body types, and a brown-yellow coloration that is speckled. The eye’s iris can be anything from bright red to amber-gold, and the fins are various shades of red and yellow. There is typically a noticeable, substantial black mark on the fish’s flanks toward the back.

About Chocolate Cichlids:

Chocolate cichlids are perfect for decorating your aquarium. they’re friendly and generally get along well with the other fish in their aquarium, which is why they’re known as gentle giants. But these fish can get aggressive to fish that looks similar to them or belong from the same species.

In addition to being simple to maintain, these species offer color and vitality to your aquarium, making them a great fit. These fish are an excellent choice for beginners because they’re simple to care for and have no special requirements.

Packaged food is a popular and inexpensive type of fish food available in several different tastes and recipes. Below are the popular types of dried food:

Scientific Name:     Vieja argentea

Common Name:      Silver Cichlid

Originates from:      Western Mexico

Water parameters:      pH: 7.0. Temperature: 78 – 86°F (26 – 30°C), Hardness: Medium hard (dH 1.0 – 15.0).

Behavior:      Semi-Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Easy

Appearance:

The male and female members of the species feature stunning black and blue patterns along with silver/white coloring. The males also have a nuchal hump.

About Silver Cichlids:

Silver cichlids are magnificent and well-liked because of how stunning they’re. In the tank, though, they frequently chase their conspecifics. However, these species are simple to maintain, which means they’re not particularly aggressive. If you’re a beginner, you should try them.

Scientific Name:     Neolamprologus sexfasciatus

Common Name:      Six Bar Cichlid, Gold Sexfasciatus Cichlid

Originates from:     Lake Tanganyika in East Africa

Water parameters:     pH of 8.2 – 9.0, a 10 – 13° dGH, and a temperature of 77° F (25 C)

Behavior:      Very aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Easy

Appearance:

They have elongated bodies. These fish have six strong black bars on a silver-to-white-or-gold background and are relatively stocky cichlids. That is emphasized further with blue accents.

About Six Bar Cichlids:

Six-bar lamprologus have strong visual appeal. The name explains its attractiveness since sex means six, which are the striking hues of the fish. Despite their beauty, these species can become territorial and aggressive. Consequently, if you wish to keep them and add additional fish, they must be housed in a bigger tank.

Scientific Name:     Geophagus surinamensis

Common Name:      Red Striped Earth Eater

Originates from:     South America

Water parameters:   pH 6.2 to 7.6; water temperature 76 to 84 degrees F

Behavior:      Peaceful

Care Difficulty Level:      Easy

Appearance:

This fish is packed with colors. You can see neon green, neon blue, and red patterns on its body. Additionally, its tail and fins have a bright blue pattern and flowing design.

About Red Striped Earth Eaters:

These adorable animals are straightforward to care for, and their calm demeanor allows them to cohabit with other species. Because of this, these species are preferred by the majority of aquarists. In addition, the fish’s vibrant hues make it simple to identify them in a tank.

The greatest thing about them is that when they’re hungry, they put a lot of gravel and sand in their mouths when searching for food.

For a deep dive on this fish, check out this article.

Scientific Name:     Labidochromis caeruleus

Common Name:    Lemon Yellow Lab, Electric Yellow Cichlid

Originates from:     East Africa

Water parameters:  pH around 8, Temperature: 75-82 °F and hardness 15 and 20 °H

Behavior:    Semi-Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Easy

Appearance:

A long, golden-yellow body with fins that are dark blue-black.

About Yellow Lab Cichlids:

Another fantastic choice for aquarists is the lemon yellow lab. This species is reasonably easy to care for, and on top of all, a gorgeous fish. It stands out from other fishes by its bright hues of yellow and black.

They will, however, become hostile toward fish that are the same color or resemble them physically. Therefore, when adding lemon yellow lab to the tank, avoid keeping species of the same hue.

Scientific Name:     Tropheus chilanga

Common Name:    Red Chilanga

Originates from:     Lake Tanganyika in East Africa

Water parameters:      ph level around 8.0 to 8.6 and temperature 77 – 79°F

Behavior:    Very Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Hard

Appearance:

They grow up to 14 cm, and its color is a mixture of blackish red and orange.

About Red Chilangas:

The red chilanga is well-liked among hobbyists. However, some aquarists find it difficult to retain these fish due to their highly aggressive behavior. To help spread out aggression, you should keep these fish in groups of twelve or more. Nevertheless, these fish’s excitement at feeding time and stunning colors are what make them hobbyists’ favorites.

Scientific Name:     Tropheus brichardi kipili

Common Name:     Kipili, Blue-Eyed Tropheus

Originates from:     East Africa

Water parameters:      pH: 8.6 and Temperature: 77 – 79°F

Behavior:    Semi-Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      When its food is carefully monitored, and the required water changes are performed, keeping this hardy cichlid can be simple. 

Appearance:

Eye iris coloration can change to blue. This species comes in various shapes and colors, and these fish’s vertical stripes are their defining feature.

About Blue-Eyed Tropheus:

The kipili has become another popular fish among aquarists because of its wide range of colors. A colony of 12 to 30 of these fish may put on a fantastic display. They’re desired because of their active behavior. However, these fishes can get aggressive, depending on their mood.

 Scientific Name:     Sciaenochromis ahli

Common Name:     Blue Ahli, Electric Blue Hap

Originates from:     Lake Malawi, Africa

Water parameters:      ph between 7.6-8.8 and temperature 75-82° F (23.9-27.8° C)

Behavior:    Very Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Easy

Appearance:

Long body, big eyes, large mouth, and plump lips, bright metallic blue in color. With body sides covered with transverse dark stripes.

About Blue Ahlis:

The blue ahli, a fish with stunning colors and extreme beauty, is a wonderful addition to the tank. Their distinctive tint illuminates the tank’s look. However, they’re reputed to be quite violent and aggressive. Therefore most people refrain from retaining them.

But, if they have a lot of hiding spots, you may keep them in the tank. Male blue Ahli are the most aggressive; therefore, it’s best to avoid them. However, if you want to, you may add one male fish to three female fish.

Scientific Name:     Benthochromis tricoti

Common Name:     Three-Lined Cichlid

Originates from:     Lake Tanganyika in Africa

Water parameters:      ph level from 7.9 to 8.6, and temperature 25-27° C, hardness dH 15-25°

Behavior:    Peaceful

Care Difficulty Level:      Moderate

Appearance:

Large eyes and a lengthy body. Males have lengthened fins and a beautiful coloring that includes silver, purple, and turquoise, while females are silver-grey. The fish also has two lateral lines visible on it.

About Three-Lined Cichlids:

Benthochromis tricoti is a rather large and attractive schooling cichlid. And putting it in your tank will entirely transform how it appears. Since they’re shoaling, you may keep them together in groups or pair them with other peaceful cichlid species.

Scientific Name:     Lamprologus ornatipinnis

Common Name:     None

Originates from:     Lake Tanganyika in Africa

Water parameters:      pH 7.5-8.6, Temperature: 77 – 79°F

Behavior:    Semi-Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Easy

Appearance:

Their bodies are thin and long with opalescent scales, and their fins sport beautiful white spots.

About Lamprologus Ornatipinnis Cichlids:

Lamprologus ornatipinnis is a worthwhile addition to your tank because of its anti-territorial tendencies and lack of aggression. Not only this, but its distinct beauty catches everyone’s attention and makes them desire to own it.

Scientific Name:     Ophthalmotilapia ventralis

Common Name:     Red Cap Cichlid

Originates from:     Lake Tanganyika in Africa

Water parameters:      pH 7.5-9.0, Temperature: 73-81°F (23-27°C) and Hardness: 8-25°H

Behavior:     Peaceful, but territorial when spawning

Care Difficulty Level:      Moderate

Appearance:

While females have delicate green with a metallic gloss, men have a steel blue hue. Moreover, there is a color variant known as the orange cap, which has an orange-brown appearance on the head.

About Red Cap Cichlids:

These lovely fish are usually calm and kept only in a species aquarium. If they’re among other fish who share their appearance, they may become hostile. They can also grow aggressive if their water is not changed and they’re not adequately cared for. Other than that, nothing else triggers them. However, as male fish tend to show off their best colors, you’ll notice even better colors if you maintain one in a female tank.

Scientific Name:     Tropheus bulu point

Common Name:    Cherry Spot Tropheus, Tropheus Kirschfleck

Originates from:     Lake Tanganyika in Africa

Water parameters:      pH 8.0-9.0, temperature 24-27 Deg C / 74-79 Deg F

Behavior:     Very Aggressive

Care Difficulty Level:      Moderate

Appearance:

Males often have a turned-up nose and a deeper physique. In contrast, females have thin, stream-lined body with a nose that is rounded and sloping. Two sizable red or golden spots are on either side of their black bodies.

About Cherry Spot Tropheus:

Cherry Spot Tropheus is one of my favorites, along with the species already listed. These sweet species make lovely additions to your aquarium. But remember that male tropheus are pretty aggressive and frequently intimidate female fish. Therefore, preserving one male per trio of female fish is recommended. To avoid conflict, always add them in groups of ten or more.

Did you choose the one you’re keeping in your tank? I know I did!

The sheer variety that cichlids provide us when it comes to choosing between them is a delight. They’re lovely to watch, giving your aquarium so much personality and color that you can create a visually arresting seascape.

There are many different species of cichlids, many of which have attractive colors and characters. Remember that most cichlids are either semi-aggressive or very aggressive, so you must plan your tank mindfully to make sure they have suitable tank mates!