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Cichlid Fish |
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Shown above, a
young mature
male so-called
Red Zebra, a
Cichlid species,
whose ancestors
lived among the
rocks along the
shores of Lake
Malawi in East
Africa. |
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Many Cichlid Species such as Oscars, Angels, and Jack Dempseys from South and Central America, and African Cichlids such as the Mbuna species from
Lake Malawi in East Africa live best in a large aquarium with several fish of their species or a closely related species. |
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When you look at pages in AquariumFish.net with Cichlids for sale, you will see a small image like this
to indicate that these Cichlids live best with just one in an aquarium or in a group with several fish of their species or a closely related species. |
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If you keep just two or three Cichlids, their behavior will greatly change. They may hide, or attack and nip on other fish. We think that generally these
are signs that the fish are not happy.
More is Better
The larger the group of cichlids you keep, the better they will usually get along with each other. Of course this may require a bigger aquarium or even
a much bigger aquarium. |
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1. Oscars
Keeping just two or three Oscars in an aquarium rarely works. It may work for a while, but then the strongest Oscar will begin
making the other Oscars miserable. If you keep a group of at least six Oscars, or even better eight or ten, they will get along better and for a longer period of time. Of course, this will
require a much bigger aquarium. Click
here for more about Oscars. |
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2. Mbuna Cichlids
Generally Mbunas
will not do well
living in a
group of less than 15-Mbunas. It is best to start with 20 to 25-Mbunas in an
aquarium with at least 75-gallons of water. Eventually each Mbunas will need at least 5-gallons of water. Click
here for more
about Mbunas. |
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3. Haplochromis and Peacocks
These species need to be kept in a group with at least a dozen Haps and Peacocks of about the same size in a large aquarium
with at least 75-gallons of water.
Eventually each Peacock will need at least 5 gallons water, and each Haplochromis may need more water. Click
here
for more about
the Haps. and Peacocks from Lake Malawi. |
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4. Angel Fish
Angels do best when kept in a group with a minimum of six Angels in an aquarium with at least five gallons of water for each Angel.
So six Angels can live together in a 30-gallon aquarium, or 10 in 50-gallon aquarium. Click
here for more about Angel Fish. |
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