Types of Cichlids

Fish Guides for African, South American, and Dwarf Cichlids

'Electric Blue' Jack DempseyPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

Cichlids are one of the largest families of fishes with more than 2000 types of cichlids, and new species are being discovered every year!

Cichlids are attractive, active, are generally quite durable fish. The Cichlid family offers the widest variety of body shapes, a vast range of sizes, and some very beautiful coloration and patterning. These characteristics are further complimented by their remarkable behavior, highly complex yet ritualistic. They are very active, intriguing, and many cichlids can be very personable, readily greeting their keepers and begging for food. All these traits make cichlids a favorite aquarium fish.

Our list of cichlid types covers a wide array of species from all around the world. The cichlid family is so vast that there are many types of cichlids that make good aquarium inhabitants. Some South American Cichlid species are of a more amiable nature, such as the severum, angelfish, and dwarf cichlids. These can be kept in a group environment. But many others are quite aggressive and are best kept singly. The African cichlids from the Rift Lakes are highly prized for their color. Others for unique characteristics as seen in the popular Tropheus genus, featherfins, goby cichlids, and shelldwellers to name a few.

Some cichld species, both African Cichlids and South American Cichlids, reach an impressive size and are great specimens for a large show tank. However some are not really suitable for the home aquarium due to size. But most seen in the hobby have a mix of fascinating of characteristics and are a delight to keep.

Information on freshwater aquariums for cichlids:
Freshwater Aquarium Basics - Setting up a Freshwater Aquarium and Fish Care

African Cichlids - Malawi Cichlids

Auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Blue moorii

Cyrtocara moorii

Dogtooth Cichlid

Cynotilapia afra

Electric Blue Hap

Sciaenochromis fryeri

Electric Blue Johannii

Melanochromis johannii

Electric Yellow Cichlid

Labidochromis caeruleus

Livingstoni Cichlid

Nimbochromis livingstonii

Maingano

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos

Malawi Eyebiter

Dimidiochromis compressiceps

Red Empress

Protomelas taeniolatus

Red Fin Kadango

Copadichromis borleyi

Trewavas Red-Finned Cichlid

Labeotropheus trewavasae

Venustus

Nimbochromis venustus

African Cichlids - Malawi Peacock Cichlids

African Butterfly Peacock

Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

Aulonocara Blue Gold

Aulonocara korneliae

Aulonocara Fort Maguire

Aulonocara hansbaenschi

Flavescent Peacock

Aulonocara stuartgranti

Maulana Bicolor Peacock

Aulonocara stuartgranti

Nkhomo Benga Peacock

Aulonocara baenschi

Rubin Red Peacock

Aulonocara stuartgranti

Sunshine Peacock

Aulonocara stuartgranti

African Cichlids - Malawi Zebra Cichlids - Mbuna Cichlids

Blue Daktari

Maylandia sp. daktari

Bumblebee Mouthbrooder

Pseudotropheus crabro

Demanson's Cichlid

Pseudotropheus demasoni

Kenyi Cichlid

Maylandia lombardoi

Pseudotropheus Barlowi

Maylandia barlowi

Pseudotropheus Ice Blue

Maylandia greshakei

Red Zebra

Maylandia estherae

Tropheops Red Cheek

Pseudotropheus tropheops tropheops

African Cichlids - Tanganyika Cichlids

Blue Neon Cichlid

Paracyprichromis nigripinnis

Brevis Shelldweller

Neolamprologus brevis

Callochromis macrops

Callochromis macrops

Compressed Cichlid

Altolamprologus compressiceps

Convict Julie

Julidochromis regani

Cylinder Cichlid

Neolamprologus cylindricus

Daffodil Cichlid

Neolamprologus pulcher

Dickfeld's Julie

Julidochromis dickfeldi

Fairy Cichlid

Neolamprologus brichardi

Five-Bar Cichlid

Neolamprologus tretocephalus

Frontosa

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Gold Nasuta

Ophthalmotilapia nasuta

Lemon Cichlid

Neolamprologus leleupi

Marlier's Julie

Julidochromis marlieri

Masked Julie

Julidochromis transcriptus

Sardine Cichlid

Cyprichromis leptosoma

Sexfasciatus

Neolamprologus sexfasciatus

Tanganyikan Butterfly

Xenotilapia papilio

White Pearly Calvus

Altolamprologus calvus

White-Tailed Brichardi

Neolamprologus gracilis

African Cichlids - Tanganyika Goby Cichlids

Blue Goby Cichlid

Spathodus erythrodon

Plain Goby Cichlid

Spathodus marlieri

Spotfin Goby Cichlid

Tanganicodus irsacae

Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid

Eretmodus cyanostictus

African Cichlids - Tanganyika Tropheus Cichlids

Blue-Eyed Tropheus

Tropheus brichardi

Blunthead Cichlid

Tropheus moorii

Poll's Tropheus

Tropheus polli

Tropheus Cichlids

Tropheus sp.

White Spotted Cichlid

Tropheus duboisi

African Cichlids - Victoria Cichlids - West African Cichlids

False Mpozo Lionhead Cichlid

Steatocranus glaber

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Lionhead Cichlid

Steatocranus casuarius

Nanochromis transvestitus

Nanochromis transvestitus

Dwarf Cichlids - South American Cichlids - West African Cichlids

Agassizi Cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii

Black-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid

Taeniacara candidi

Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Panda Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma nijsseni

Rainbow Cichlid

Herotilapia multispinosa

Ram Cichlid

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

South American Cichlids - Angelfish-Discus-Hybrids

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Angelfish - Common

Pterophyllum scalare

Blood Parrot

Discus Fish

Symphysodon aequifasciata

Flowerhorn Cichlid

Heckel Discus

Symphysodon discus

South American Cichlids - Large Cichlids

Black Belt Cichlid

Vieja maculicauda

Blue Acara

Aequidens pulcher

Convict Cichlid

Archocentrus nigrofasciatus

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

Cichlasoma octofasciatum

Firemouth Cichlid

Thorichthys meeki

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Golden Severum

Heros severus

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Jack Dempsey Fish

Cichlasoma octofasciatum

Jaguar Cichlid

Parachromis managuensis

Midas Cichlid

Amphilophus citrinellus

Nicaragua Cichlid

Hypsophrys nicaraguensis

Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Peacock Cichlid

Cichla ocellaris

Pearl Cichlid

Geophagus brasiliensis

Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla lepidota

Port Acara

Cichlasoma portalegrense

Red Devil Cichlid

Amphilophus labiatus

Redhump Eartheater

Geophagus steindachneri

Salvini Cichlid

Cichlasoma salvini

Texas Cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Uaru Cichlid

Uaru amphiacanthoides

Wolf Cichlid

Parachromis dovii

Description of Cichlids

Cichlids are found in Africa, Central and South America, and a few species from parts of Asia. Central and South America comprises a huge geographic area with greatly diverse habitats ranging from savannas to rain forests. Other types of cichlids are from the great rift lakes of Africa, as well as other lakes, rivers and streams. Consequently cichlids are found in a wide variety of conditions.

They are categorized as "secondary freshwater fish" - meaning their ancestors were marine fish. It is believed that cichlids moved to freshwaters from the marine environment, and they have features relating to a number of marine species including the wrasses, parrotfish, damsels, and surfperches.

The actual number of cichlid species is unknown but are generally estimated somewhere between 2000 to 5000, with at least 1300 species scientifically described. African Cichlids are conservatively estimated at about 1300 species, while South American Cichlids and Central American Cichlids are estimated at about 570 species.

The cichlid family is so vast that there many good aquarium inhabitants, but there are also many species that are not really suitable for the home aquarium due to size. For example, the Boulengerochromis microlepis from Africa, which reaches up to 36" (90 cm) is really too large for most hobbyists.Some large South American cichlids that are occasionally available in the hobby are the Peacock Bass Cichla ocellaris, which grows to a length of 30" (75 cm), and the Wolf Cichlid Parachromis dovii, which can reach a length of 24" (60 cm). Both of these will require at least 250 gallons (946 L) with larger being better.

These and other large cichlids are popular food fish for the native people where they are found. Many of the smaller sized cichlids species, vast in number, from the great African Lakes are also considered a tasty snack to those native peoples.

African Cichlids

Perhaps the most popular cichlids are the African rift lake cichlids, which are some of the most colorful of all freshwater fishes. Besides the many colorful cichlids from the African lakes, there are others highly prized for patterning and other unique characteristics. These includeas seen in the popular Tropheus genus, featherfins, goby cichlids, sarding cichlids, and shelldwellers to name a few.

Like their South American counterparts, there are also some African Cichlids that reach an impressive size, making great specimens for a large show tank. Yet here too there are a few species are not really suitable for the home aquarium due to size. The Boulengerochromis microlepis, which reaches up to 36" (90 cm), is a good example of too big.

For more in-depth info see: African Cichlid Facts: Information and Cichlid Care for African Cichlids

Most African Cichlids available in the hobby have a mix of fascinating characteristics and are a delight to keep.

• Lake Malawi Cichlids
  The Malawi Cichlids are some of the most brilliantly colored fishes. It is estimated there are over 800 species of Malawi cichlids but with only about 300 currently described by ichthyologists. They fall into two ecological groups, the Mbuna group and the Haplochromis group. Do not mix the two groups in the aquarium, as they are mostly incompatible. Only combining the Utaka from the Haplochromis group with Mbuna is possible if there is plenty of space.
   
  • Mbuna group
    The Mbuna group is endemic to Lake Malawi. They inhabit the rocky areas of the lake.
    • Zebra Cichlids - Mbuna Cichlids - This group contains 12 genera of rock dwelling Mbuna Cichlids, including the well-known Zebra Cichlids. This is a popular group of very active and aggressive personalities, often colored in blues with black bars, and yellows.
  • Haplochromis group
    The Haplochromis group is another popular African cichlid group that inhabit the more sandy areas and open waters.
    • Peacock Cichlids - Peacock Cichlids are some of the most intensely colored of all the cichlid varieties. These are generally somewhat larger and more peaceful than the Zebra (mbuna) cichlids.
       
    • Other Malawi Cichlids - These include Utaka Cichlids which tend to live in open waters.
       
• Lake Tanganyika Cichlids
  Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world, is inhabited with almost 250 different species of cichlids and over 150 species of other fish. It is renown for having two record-breaking inhabitants, the world's largest cichlid at 31” (80 cm) and the world's smallest cichlid at 1.4” (3.5 cm).
   
  • Lake Tanganyika Cichlids
    Many Tanganyika cichlids are unique in both body shape and in habitat. These include such varieties as the featherfins, gobies, julies, sardines, and shelldwellers.
    • Goby Cichlids - The Goby Cichlids live close to the shore in shallow waters. Like others in this group, these fish are generally more peaceful and a bit larger than the Zebra Cichlids
       
  • Tropheus Cichlids
    These are popular Tanganyika cichlids that inhabit the more sandy areas and open waters. They are generally somewhat larger and more peaceful than the Zebra (mbuna) cichlids.The popular Tropheus species are endemic to Lake Tanganyika. They are widely distributed along the coastal fringes of the lake and have many geographic variations. Many have not yet been described.
     
• Lake Victoria Cichlids - West Africa Dwarf Cichlids, West Africa Cichlids
  There are many wonderful African cichlids that you may run across besides the highly popular species found in Lake Malawi or Lake Tanganyika. African cichlids also include a number of fish from West Africa, outlying islands including Madagascar, and cichlids from Lake Victoria.
   
  • Lake Victoria Cichlids
    There are several hundred vibrantly beautiful species of cichlids found in Lake Victoria alone. Other types of East African Cichlids include Victoria Cichlids found in lakes surrounding Lake Victoria. Others are native to African rivers and streams, and live in a wide variety of habitats.
     
  • Dwarf Cichlids - West African Cichlids
    Many West African cichlids are native to African rivers and streams, living a wide variety of habitats. These include the interesting and beautiful African Dwarf Cichlids such as the popular Kribensis.

South American Cichlids

The South American Cichlids are also known as New World cichlids and include Central American Cichlids and American Dwarf Cichlids. They are found primarily in Central and South America, with the Texas Cichlid found in the southern part of North America.

This is a vast geographic area with greatly diverse habitats ranging from savannas to rain forests, consequently cichlids are found in a wide variety of conditions. The Amazon River contains a huge number of fish, one fifth of all freshwater fish species. Its waters are acidic and extremely soft, and much of it has detritus covered sandy type substrate.

For more in-depth info see: South American Cichlids Facts: Information and Cichlid Care for New World Cichlids

South American Cichlids and Central American Cichlids are attractive, personable, and are generally quite durable fish. They come in a range of sizes and with some very beautiful colorations, making them favorite aquarium fish for many hobbyists. Many also reach an impressive size and are great for a large show tank.

There are distinctive types of South American cichlids, including:

• Large Cichlids - Large South American Cichlids
  The Large American Cichlids, with their personalities, temperaments, and size, are great specimens for an awesome show tank. Because these fish get large, a 75 gallon aquarium is the standard suggested size for these fish.
   
• Dwarf Cichlids - South American Dwarf Cichlids
  The American Dwarf Cichlids are also called the New World Dwarf Cichlids. These fish consist of small cichlids that only reach up to about 4 inches (10 cm) or so. They have attractive color patterns, and many species can be obtained in a variety of color morphs. Many will be content in an aquarium as small as 20 gallons. Dwarf Cichlids tend to be shy and somewhat delicate, so they are recommended for a bit more seasoned aquarist rather than a beginning cichlid keeper.
   
• Unique Cichlid Types - Unique South American Cichlids
  The Angelfish and Discus have some of the most unique body shapes, and some of the most beautiful and varied color patterns. These cichlids end to be more amiable than others cichlids and each variety will make a great show specimen. Some of the most unique in appearance are hybrids such as the Blood Parrot and the Flower Horn Cichlid. .
  • Angelfish
  • Discus
  • Blood Parrot Cichlid
  • Flowerhorn Cichlid