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African Cichlids are among the most popular fresh water aquarium exotics. They fill fresh water aquariums with the diversity of colors and patterns often associated with salt water aquariums. Cichlids can range in size from four to nine inches. Breeds can be very different ranging from zebra stripes to giraffe spots to bright colors. Often the males are vividly beautiful and the females mutely colored. Some are even dichromatic with the males and females looking like completely different species. Easy Care Breeds Many cichlids are considered easy to care for. Among these are the 'sunshine peacock' cichlid and the colorful 'Eureka Red Peacock'. Each grow to an average of 5.9 inches(depending on tank conditions). The males are known for their beautiful coloration, just like the bird of the same name. Another easy breed is the blue dolphin cichlid, which can grow to be 10 inches, and the 'Afra' or 'dogtooth' cichlids which grow to only 3.9 inches. The 'Venustus' cichlid is another easy care breed and has giraffe spots while in its juvenile state. Rock Caves Needed For Some Breeds One entertaining, easy care breed is the gorgeous 'electric yellow' Malawi cichlid. This is a very popular breed among the Malawi Cichlids. To create the best living conditions, the aquarium should include rock caves where males are able to establish territories. Other rock cave dwellers include the 'red zebra', the 'cobalt blue', and the 'johanni blue'. These fish are entertaining and social creatures. Snail Shell Dwellers Several breeds of cichlids, such as the striped 'neolamprologus similis' and the neolamprologus multifasciatus', are actually shell dwellers. They prefer to make their homes in an empty snail shell. To make them feel at home, the tank should have many shells and a sandy bottom. Plants should be well anchored because these cichlids like to bury the shells in the sand. Dwarf Cichlids Dwarf cichlids come in a variety of colors and patterns, just like their slightly bigger cousins. One of the most common is the 'blue ram' which is considered easy to care for. Other dwarfs need a higher level of expert care. These include the 'checkerboard', 'two-stripe', 'three-stripe', 'panda', 'cockatoo' and 'zebra' dwarf cichlids. Aggression When choosing among cichlids, it is best to find out how aggressive the males of any breed will be. The 'electric yellow' Malawi Cichlids are known to be a pretty calm fish. However, mixing the wrong species together can cause severe aggression, so be careful when choosing your tank mates! By following simple guidelines, you will be able to fill your aquarium with these exciting species and know that they will bring years of joy and entertainment. If you've enjoyed this article by Tim Carter, you can visit his website at www.cichlid-fish.com for more information and tips on Cichlids.
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