Top 10 Best Cichlids for Beginners! (Beautiful and NOT Overly Aggressive)
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- Опубликовано: 17 июл 2024
- #bestcichlids
#10bestcichlids
#AfricanCichlids
I'm often asked, "I'm starting my first African Cichlid tank, what fish do you recommend?" Well, here finally is a list of my top 10 best cichlids for beginners (but experienced fish keepers will also love these fish!). They are recommended for a beginner's African Cichlid tank because they are both beautiful and not overly aggressive. Some of my favorites are on this list! There are around 20 more I could have added, but this is a good start.
Take a look and tell me what you think about my top 10 list and share with me in the comments below which fish would be on your top 10 best cichlids for beginners list. Remember the motto of this channel: ALWAYS BE LEARNING!
When making my choices I imagined a situation where it was the first African Cichlid tank and it was around 60 gallons. A very common starting point for cichlid keepers. I suggested fish that wouldn't get too large too fast and quickly outgrow the tank in six months. I also made sure not to include fish that would discourage the new fish keeper by being too aggressive.
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Hi Ben I'm getting a 21gal or 80lit tank what type of fish do you suggest to put in this tank. Would tiger barbs or similar fish be good this size tank.
Would this work for a 55 gallon
Love the content Ben Ochard keep it up. I may ask u for some pointers sometime...always somthing to learn,
I look foward to seeing more!!!!
Hi Ben, Boom, another smash hit video!!! I really enjoyed your choice of fish. They would make for a very beautiful, peaceful tank. Keep up the great work, I will definitely share this one. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome looking top 10 Ben😎👍🏾, , thanks for giving me some ideas
Another great video Ben. Love your easy jovial presentation filled with excellent real life knowledge and experiences.
Thanks again 😊
Thank you Michael. Very encouraging!
Great video Ben. That red cap deserves the top spot for sure.
Simple to the point and easy to understand , great Video👍
Excellent video. I love all of these fish and wish I had them.
Excellent subject for a video Ben thanks!
I always marvel at your filtration. Your fish are stunning, the work you put in has really paid off. Thanks for sharing your methods and tips!
Finally a beginner cichlid list not filled with mbuna!! Thanks Ben and I agree with your choices!
Whats wrong with mbuna’s?
@@raphaelknoops750 My experience has been that most of the guys like the other bigger Cichlids as they are more macho type fishes. I find a lot of women preferring mbunas. I am one of them. Of course this is not for everyone. But i would rather see mbunas more than any other type of cichlid.
THANK YOU BEN!!! I'm cycling my new 125 and I've not raised African cichlids before. So...I've been struggling with WHAT to stock my tank with for weeks now once it's cycled. This video was exactly what I needed and will give me a great place to start! Thank you again.
NittanyFins That’s awesome! What did you end up getting?
Awesome and beautiful selection of hardy fish for beginners! 👍🐟
Great Video sir Happy Holidays !
GREAT CONTENDERS! Thanks for the tip
Thank you very much for this info, Ben! The Ruby Red Peacock is my fav on this list.
Heather Nielsen - Scarlet Aquatics Yes, they are amazing. Also check out Eureka Red and German Red, all great fish 😀
Love your vids mate.. No pretentiousness, just straight our sharing the love. Thanks.
Thank you Mark, that means a lot, thanks!
This is really helpful and informative. Many thanks
Thanks for using names for the fish that I can pronounce. Now I can go to the pet shop without a dictionary. 😊
Nice, I just got a 75 gallon and looking to start a cichlid tank.. Thanks for the suggestions!
Thank you for the wonderful information
Great video!
Very helpful. Thank you.
you are a pleasure to llisten to and very informative. I am redoing my 55gal. acrylic hex and am seriously thinking of going cichlid because of you
Thank you John. I appreciate the kind words and certainly update me on your progress.
Ben your one of the best around I need a list of what not to get lol....I've made a terrible mistake of getting mbunas and peacocks in my 75 gallon without doing my homework.....just imagine what I've been through.....never will I do anything without reading and asking questions again....love the videos!
I used to keep a mixed tank, Mbuna, Haps and Peacocks. It worked…Until it didn’t. When the Mbuna put on size they were vicious in protecting their territory. So, despite looking Mbuna, I ended up keeping only peas and Haps, and it’s worked out well😀👍🏻
Now if only my lfs kept these species 😆 great video Ben, - half a beer 🍺
Looks like a great top ten list, thanks so much for sharing Ben ! .... could most of those fish be kept with various variety of Geophagus ?
Cheers
Mike
All such stunning fish Ben.
That Red Cap 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Placidochromis are awesome fish. I hope to own a Wild Caught Placidochromis VC-10 one day, they have huge lips.
Great 10 Ben
Great video! I just purchased a used fluval 406. I was wondering what Media you would put in it?Always love you videos you help me a ton! Thanks!
really have enjoyed your videos...just got back having an aquarium again and how much I have learned just from a few videos....
Thank you Phil. It's people like you and comments like this that motivate me to continue.
Beautiful fish.. nice video too...
good video thank you i learned something
Thanks so much for the info....
I just got a 65 gallon and I'm so excited!
It's a great size to work with!
Good list
I'm thinking of getting into cichlids in the future. I have 180l tank with livebearers in at the moment. information you have given me about the best fish to start off with is really great thank you 😉
You are welcome. They are a very interesting breed and a lot of fun to keep. Never a dull moment.
Us Malawi noobs really appreciate this! Filed away for future use. My top ten are all South Americans save for one West African.
HI BEN; GREAT VIDEO AS USUAL.....GREAT CHOICES FOR BEGINNERS.....
Thanks Daniel!
Hi Ben, new to your channel. You are very relaxing to listen too.
I'm a beginner and the video I took advice from (before I found you) said mbuna was good for first timers.😮
9:32......thanks for that....loved it the most....❤️🙏
I was hoping you would pick the Lethrinops as #1 😍 I love mine. They have an interesting personality.
That salsa was on point good top 10 for a beginner. 🇵🇷 wepa!
MEDINA CICHLIDS Wepa hermanó!
Why no yellow lab? Have only grown South Americans, Tanganyikans and westies, but am really drawn to that fish.
Ben, could i keep multiples of these 10 fish in a 75 gallon? Love your videos, keep up the excellent work.
Nice video
Blaupunktbuntbarsch (Andinoacara pulcher)
Is also a easy fish and I really love them
thank you
This is great thanks! I am just starting my 75gal tank. I love angels and am wondering if I introduce the Angels first and then some of these cichlids if that would work.
Because of the high pH needed by African Cichlids, and the aggression, I wouldn’t suggest mixing them.
I'm a beginner (though I'm old) and I love my electric blue acaras.
Number two looks nice. Different blue from every other African cichlids
One of my favorite all time fish both for color and temperament, Placidochromis Jalo Reef. Highly recommended 😀👍🏻
Do you have a lot of books or do you study on the web, great job beautiful fish 🐠
Red caps a good number one Ben! I’d love a breeding group of them🔥 so they do well with all your other aulonocara & placidochromis etc?
Cichlidscape • He’s the boss and as soon as anyone puts on size or attitude they get moved to the 100.
Hey Ben, I am setting up a community 68 gallon tank and will be doing kribs and similar with barbs, danios, Cory’s, etc.
My second project is a 44 G African cichlids, Mbunda. I will have large pieces (10+”) of grape agate cluster rocks with rough surfaces. Are some Mbunda more susceptible to skin issues from abrasions that may occur with rock contact?
I also prefer such specimens to be smaller in size,
I try to avoid too many sharp points. Mostly because they can dart around when startled and catch an eye that can then turn into an infection.
Thanks Ben I'm getting a 75 gallon. I want all males how many should i stock in the tank? Going to use the 10 you just listed.
Great video - thank you. Of the 10 you mentioned, are there any that should not be kept in the same 75G tank?
Yes. Lethrinops should not be mixed with any larger more aggressive fish like a Nimbochromis or even fish in the Protomelas family, like the Taiwan Reef and Fire Hap.
Thank you Ben for your videos love them all I’m starting a 75. Would that amount be good to start off with some people say 10 to 15 and if you agree on 15 can you name another five for me? Thank you so much love all your videos. Switching over from salt water to cichlids 🎉
Beautiful fish Ben! I've currently ordered some of these fish for our new tank the Ruby, z rock and lemon jake. Ive also ordered some OB cichlids, but my concern is potential aggression from the OB's. Is this combination a potential problem particularly from the OB's? I plan on adding the fish over a period of time, but my concern is ill be singing the circle of life to my son now. Im super new to the hobby so should i reconsider the OB's?
My concern is the Lemon Jake. They are usually (in my experience) very gentle and a little timid/meek. The Z Rock and Ruby will hold their own. It also depends on the OB. They come with different temperaments. Hope you get a mellow one, but keep an eye on them and watch for fin damage or one of the fish hiding all the time. This will be a sign that they are under a lot of stress.
Andrew Dix I’ve been lucky with OBs. Dragon Bloods and albinos have been a problem. To be safe let the tank get established then add OBs that are slightly smaller
Love the star sapphire's color. Where would you say they are in terms of temperament? Roughly compatible with peacocks, or no?
Hi Ben your fish look wonderful. You have obviously left your SA cichlids far behind! I would have put a few of them on my list.
you may have just converted me to cichlids. LOL
Thanks for giving your 10 peaceful African Cichlids I'm new to this and love these fish . This is my question I have a 95 gallon pentagon corner tank will these fish do well in it
That's a good size and would be best suited for some of the smaller fish on the list such as the placidochromis and lethrinops varieties. Some of the "open water swimmer" do better in tanks that are 6' across (when they reach full size). Consider the Bi-color 500 (gets around 5"), the lethrinops Red Cap, Flavescent and Jalo Reef. All beautiful, relatively peaceful and good for that size and shape of an aquarium IMO.
@@BenOchart Thanks for getting back to me your comments are very important to me and my new tank.
Great
Hi, beautiful video. What species of aulonocara would you recommend me for a 65 gallinas tank? Is It better keep just males? Joe many fishes may I keep in it? Thanks so much.
I am new to cichlids and hopefully getting my 75 gallon tank soon. Would these cichlids on this list be ok to put in the 75 gallon with my pictus catfish? I want to get the Cats out of my 38 gallon. Any info is greatly appreciated.
These fish look great and all, but where the heck can I find these? MY fish stores don't carry any of these.
Hi Ben. Love your channel. Starting a 75 gallon peacock tank and want to get your thoughts on how I plan to stock it. My thought is that I want 4 species and end up with 24 fish. I was thinking that I would get groups of 8 unsexed juveniles, introduced in 30 day increments (after quarantine). Once I can determine sex, I would leave a dominant male, a subdominant male and 4 females per species. I was thinking red caps, ruby reds, yellow bengas and bi-color 500’s. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Thank you werry much
Should be top 10 African cichlids I think. Still a good list.
I admit that I'm biased. Thank you for watching 😀
Absolutely beautiful fish could you give us some pointers on say a smaller tank like a 55 gallon with a very personable Fish or two
Thank you. The one's mentioned would be okay in a 55 gal. The only one I wouldn't throw in there would be the Red Cap and possibly the Lemon jake because they are so very docile.
very nice content .support you.see you around.stay safe friend.have nice day.
I had a ruby red that almost killed every fish in his tank. I understand temperament varies.
Hey ben What do ya think about adding a protomelas steveni to an all male mbuna tank
chris lu I don’t think it would end well...
I'm going to take your advice I'm starting a 60
Jose Rivera Let me know how it goes 😀
Good video👍🎅🎁⛄🎄. Ben how do you feel about the 60g I have a 65g tall I don't like it. I wish I had just got a 75g Is yours a 60 long I see some on Ebay for around £85 but if it's anything like the 65 tall I don't want it.?
JustMyFish 60 or 75 long is a good size for you small to medium Cichlids. If you want some of the bigger varieties you’re going to need a 125 or larger.
@@BenOchart Well my 65g tall was a big mistake years ago now but I still have it even after trying to seel it I even stuck it in fee to collect but no takers lol. I use it as a grow out. I use to keep angle fish in it back in the day. 👍
hey ben my first real fish besides a betta was two oscars ive had them for about 1 1/2 years now but i would not reccomend them for a begginer.
Thanks Ben... I really want to buy some aciclids, but just DID NOT KNOW which ones. Happy to cut you slack....You gave me 11 !!!
PS- Is it true they tear up plants?
I just bought a load full from Cory.
I may have to purchase another Tank ..... Hee-hee-hee
Linda Ford anubias plants (recommended for Cichlids) survived until the fish got over 2”. Then they just tore the plants apart.
Hi I'm new to the hobby,I raised Oscars about 15 years ago,now I'm building a tank with mbuna,which is crazy,bought my first four fish around 3 months ago,ended up 2 females 2 males,2 ýellow labs decided to have fry,now my two blue mbuna are also ready to produce some fry,so wasn't realy ready for all this but I have 2 well sized baby fish just starting to interact with the rest of the tank mates,my tank is a 250 litre corner tank,I'm thinking of buying a 300 litre tank to separate girls from boys,having watched your video I'm not sure if these fish would mix with african mbuna ???
FIRST OFF, LOOVE YOUR CHANNEL!! I have TWO ?’s for my 2 60 gallon tanks... So my 60 gallon community tank has 2 leopard Ctnenomas and Rainbows, Dwarfs, Mollies, X-ray Tetras etc I just added 2 German blue rams that are females my Appisto died that was a male.... Sooo 2 things please ANYONE ?? In the 60 gallon community tank what are good options for adding one more ( due to 2 females ) Theen I have nothingin my new 60 gallon tank that’ll be ONLY Cichlids...... If I could get away with making it a community cichlid tank or ones that get along not getting bigger than around 5-7”s max? What would be some suggestions? THANKS TO ANYONE WHO TOOK TIME TO READ THIS
I just started my cichlids tank got mbuna
Once again Ben very beautiful fish all very nice colors pristine looking tanks. If I breed two different mbunas yellow lab and pseudotropheus saulosi do I get to name the species
What do people normally do with unwanted fry? I have about a dozen baby Peacocks.
I haven’t sold any yet still growing them out. I’m planning to sell them to my local fish store. Still new to this myself only on 2nd batch of fry. Still figuring out if it’s worth it
I have no idea on that one. I believe it would be a “hybrid” like an OB
I have heard that the yellow lab is a dominant jean so they all should stay yellow but haven’t found anything supporting that time will only tell
is this 10 kind's of fish you recommend okay on a 75gallon tank?
Beginner question, I love all the fish on the list. Are these all males, or do females also get this nice? If just males can you specify males only when you order fish? Thanks so much.
Ben the #1 fish where did u get it? Never seen it my local area fish store. Not even CK fish world didn't have it.
You’ll need to order from someone like the Cichlid Shack. The are amazing fish.
Are peacocks generally pretty good for a cichlid beginner? Tips and/or tricks or videos you would suggest? Thanks.
Surprisingly peacocks can be very hard on each other. Avoid "jake" like lemon jake, otter point and eureka red jake. That family can be very aggressive. So can protomelas like fire hap, Taiwan reef and tangerine tigers. If you stayed with peacocks like Ruby Reds, Bi-color 500, Flavescent, Benga sunshines you should be okay.
Ben, do you get most of your fish locally or are most of them shipped? If you get them shipped, who do you like and why. Starting over with a nice 55 with a pretty big pleco that was the only survivor of a stubborn ich infestation
Sorry about the fish loss Jim. I really like the following: Live Fish Direct, The Wonder of Cichlids, The Cichlid Shack, Cunningham Cichlids, Imperial Tropicals, Dave's Rare Fish, all good sources that I have used with success.
First!!!!
Thank you! How about Blue Rams for 50 gal.
Blue and Gold Rams are beautiful and should do fine in a 50.
Can I put clown loach in a 75 gallon fish tank with cichlids because I spotted one or two in the tank behind you?
4 or 5 years ago I added 3 and they've done great. Put them in in groups of 3 or more. They do better with more in the tank.
Are the fish you showed all Male? Is it best to have all Male? Can you mix male and female (of same or different species)?
Rosie Feeback
I believe that the fish showed are all males.
Yes, of course you can mix male and female cichlids but be careful not to mix any who can interbreed. Choose 3-4 different species ( or how manu you can have in your aquarium ) and enjoy it when they start to reproduce.
Ben, I have a question that i hope you can advise me on. I have a 36 gallon tank with a Fluval 306 cannister filter. I want to get started with cichlids and i found your video very informative. my question is, I would like to house 2 Ruby peacock + 2 Jalo Reef . Is the tank large enough for the 4? much appreciated....Carlos
Hello Carlos, When they are young, like around 3”, sure. But when they put on size you’re going to want want a 60 or 125 gallon. So start saving money 😉😀👍🏻
@@BenOchart Ben thank you! So if I buy a 75 gallon tank would you say that 10 cichlids would suffice and be comfortable in that size tank ?
What size tank, do you recommend for a full grown Jack Dempsey?
Charles Wild I’d guess 75 gal minimum
Thanks for the great video. Can I keep a pair of each (10) fish totaling to 20 fish in a 100 gallon tank?
Really depends what kind of fish that you're talking about. Smaller ones, certainly.
Ben Ochart thanks for the reply. I’m going by the fish in your video “ top 10 cichlids for beginners”
Any Convict cichlids
Very pretty fish in s besutiful aquarium. The clown loach will get much bigger most if not all the cichlids he named are in commonly known because of their beauty as the peacock cichlid group were Utaka (open water) cichlis from Lake Malawi and are also known to be more peaceful that the rock-loving mbuna (means rock fish). He also had some sleepers or sleeper cichlids or kaligona (sleeper in Chichewa), Nimochromis known as sleeper due to their habit of pretending to be dead to capture small fish. Most famous for this tactic is Nimbochromis livingstonii a.k.a. Livingston's. This tactic is also used by a Central American cichlid Parachromis fredrichsthalii (Yellowjacket cichlid) which is also known for feigning death to lure small prey fish. Nimbochromis venustus a.k.a. Venustus hap or Giraffe hap, imao, the most beautiful of the Nimbochromis group and peaceful shifts substrate much in the manner of South American cichlids of Geophagus genus on the aquarium. This information comes from Alexrod's books, Wikipedia and several other authors as well as my experience with species: N. venustus, N. livingstonii, N. polystigma, G. steinachneri (Redhump eartheater), Satanoperca jurupari (Demon earthester), and Chromobotia macracanthus (Clown loach) as well as mbuna.
Do you recommend someone looking to start up a new all male tank to go out and purchase adults right away?
James Caraluzzi depends on the size of your tank and if you want instant gratification and higher cost or if you’re willing to wait 6 months to a year. You’ll save money, but you might end up with females
Can I have one electric yellow in a 20 gallon tank?
lemonjake are hard to come by in the philippines
So are all these peacocks? And all of the ones you mentioned can be in a tank together? I’m going to do an all peacock tank.
Watch my latest about 5 Peacocks. You'll get even more excited 😀
need recomendations curently have 4 african chiclids 2 bichirs,bala shark,2 angels,clown knife, tiger shovel nose,2 plecos,ropefish,2 gouramis only plan to get a fire eel but open to sugestions
That's quite a combination of fish. All in the same tank?
@@BenOchart yes 90 gallons