3 African Cichlids [YOU MUST HAVE THESE!] and a FIRST TIME LOOK at Some New Fish!

3 African Cichlids I think everyone should have. These are 3 of my favorites, and I've just added all 3 of them to my 60 gallong grow-out tank ("#JUVIEHAPNATION").
I've also taken a few of the Cichlids that have put on size and moved them to the 150 gallon show tank, the "Big Show."
Here's an update on the new awesom new fish and a look at both of the tanks.
Thank you for tuning in. We're closing in on 5,000 subs and your support is VERY APPRECIATED!
Thank you for the ChemiPure Green Eaven Alexander, The Inquisitive Fish Guy (IFG).
Here are some links to products I've used and recommend:
(You get a great deal by using these links and help the channel:
Filters:
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Visit my group on Facebook group page: "Ben O'Cichlid" for a friendly and helpful group of fish keepers. "Cichlid" is in the group name but it welcomes all types of fish keepers from beginner to advanced. Be sure to answer all of the join-in questions so that the admins let you in (it's how we keep out the trolls and bots).
For behind the scenes pictures and video, follow me on Instagram at: ben.o.cichlid.
Join me on most Saturdays for the "Cichlids and Coffee" live stream. Great topics, a great group of fish keepers and your questions answered LIVE!
Help support the future of the hobby by visiting your local fish store and joining fish clubs. I'm a member of the American Cichlid Association. Visit them here: cichlid.org
Shout-outs to Christopher Martin for the Cichlids & Coffee logo, to Sam Penny for the KZbin channel banner art and to Phil Griffiths for the dropping fish video, for putting Sam's artwork in the surf and for the channel icon!
Never forget - YOU ROCK!

[@charlesfranklin3533]

Ben Your Fish Always Look Awesome Kudo's My Friend.

[@keithdeshields2881]

Oh man your tank is absolutly crystal clear and your cichlids!!!!! no words man they are super beautiful!!!!

[@carlom1245]

You are truly an expert in keeping African Cichlids I tell you. Every fish had tremendous color in the 135, none are dull or getting picked on.

[@carlom1245]

Other than that one intermedius which is expected not to have much color due to being a similar fish to a tank boss

[@BenOchart]

Carlo M12 I just re-homed him to a family and tank that will allow him to really blossom.

[@carlom1245]

Ben Ochart you are so lucky you have so many tanks to mix and match fish.

[@grock31]

Simply amazing Ben. Congrats on the new pickups.

[@BenOchart]

G Dee Cichlids Yes, and thank you G for taking the time to watch!

[@twasbrillig33]

Your tank and fish are worthy of the positive comments they have received. The fish are beautiful they look very healthy, relaxed, and not stressed. Stunning tank

[@BenOchart]

Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement and thank you for stopping by!

[@ilcancelliere6010]

Hey Ben just watching this brilliant video as always and at that time you had nearly 5k subs. Now 3yrs later and 33k subs! What an amazing achievement my friend. Congrats and keep up with your amazing work for our community

[@davidleary9645]

Gorgeous tank and fish!

[@avyaulonocara9202]

I'm loving those slices of stone. They look great combined with the fish.

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

Good call with the Strigatus! Gonna be monsters when they grow up !

[@BenOchart]

Thanks Anthony. I hear that they're pretty mellow. We'll see. I'm gonna need a bigger tank...😀

[@zidanezizu4873]

Absolutely beautiful fish !!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Zidane!

[@tonyfortier8835]

They are mesmerising

[@JadrenAquatics]

Gorgeous fish!

[@BenOchart]

Jadren Aquatics Thank you GF

[@snowwolf7256]

Looking good Ben. Hope to have a tank like your pretty soon. Just waiting on my background. Then all systems go on cycling..

[@BenOchart]

Awesome. Be sure to post some videos!

[@mnmcichlids2056]

Great additions! My 3 most have haps...So hard to choose, star sapphire, moorii and rostratum.

[@BenOchart]

MnM Cichlids Those three are AWESOME picks. Thanks for watching!

[@danthemancichlids077]

The fish are all looking great

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Dan.

[@rudumbordumb2508]

Beautiful fish!Like always

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Jesus!

[@FrankWhite145]

Beautiful Fish Ben.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@joet6494]

Cichlids looking wonderful as always.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Joe, much appreciated.

[@brianwirtz4181]

Beautiful fish Ben.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Brian.

[@miguelcintron7048]

Great Vid as always Ben

[@BenOchart]

Miguel Cintron Thank you!

[@KathrynBrownkatina]

Ben do you sell fish

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Wow 3 Malawi Gar that's awesome!

[@BenOchart]

Hopefully there's an epic male in there. They are the runts in the tank, so I hope that they put on size fast.

[@168ipson]

Have beautiful fishes

[@tommy2tone8650]

Tanks look good Ben.

[@BenOchart]

Thomas Medina Hello Thomas and thank you!

[@Bobbyleebudde]

You have got to have the prettiest cichlids I have seen

[@BenOchart]

Very nice of you to say that Bobbylee! Thank you.

[@efrainscichlids9038]

Love the 135g

[@BenOchart]

Thanks Efrain. I really enjoy sitting in front of it and watching them swim around.

[@gilbertotorres3141]

You ever had a venustus and a fusco breed,I have twice and they are just beautiful.i love them

[@dennisruedel]

Hi Ben, great video as usual. The world famous 60 is still looking awesome. You got some really nice pickups. Looks like you're stocking up on the predators. I have to admit, I'm pretty jealous of everyone in the group because I only get to see my fish once a week at my ex girlfriend's house when I do a water change. Anyways only 5 more weeks until they will be moved in with me. Thanks very much for sharing your video

[@BenOchart]

Separation anxiety, LOL, my wife thinks I'm crazy because we go somewhere for the weekend and I'll say, "I wonder how the fish are doing?" So, I get it Dennis. Soon you'll be reunited. Thanks for watching. Always appreciated.

[@jimlynch1372]

Ben, what kind of background is that on the 135 and where is it available? Thanks, Jim

[@kevinpitts1252]

They all look great Ben! I'm waiting on ordering a male dolphin from Deon0026, as well as a male Taiwan reef. I'm actively on the hunt for a red empress. Love the fusco! He looks a lot like mine. Mine is just over 7in now. He has some serious green color in him that I don't usually see in fuscos. Great video as always Ben!

[@BenOchart]

Kevin Pitts Thanks Kevin. You're not in the L.A. area, are you?

[@kevinpitts1252]

Ben Ochart no, I'm in Indiana about 45 min north of Indy and 20 min from Purdue university.

[@oxiplasty]

Great Hapdate

[@BenOchart]

"Hapdate", LOL, thanks!

[@FrankieKennethL]

The Dimidios are interesting fish.

[@BenOchart]

The ones I've seen posted from time to time have really impressed me. They seem to be more on the calm side as far as Haps go. Thanks for stopping by CS!

[@FrankieKennethL]

Ben Ochart my only Dimidio is the Strigatus. Still small about 4". Trying to find his place among the bigger dudes

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Your Buccocohromis Is looking really great

[@BenOchart]

Yes, he's one of my fav's, as you can tell by all the videos I post of him.

[@dennisfrankland4296]

Wow,you’re water is so clear. Do you use chemi pure elite in your external filter ? I have a 9 inch VC10. Sham3 I lost the female , I have a major power cut about17 months ago an£ lost approximately 40 medium to large African cichlids. You can image that I was totally devastated losing almost all of my African cichlids. I Only managed to save one or two . I worked out that it would have cost me around £3,000 to replace all of the fish that I lost. Your tank on cichlids are beautiful , great job dude. You rock !!!

[@BenOchart]

Dennis, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I believe that when I filmed this video I was using purigen. I have since stopped using all chemical filteration.

[@LVNLEGND]

Another Beautiful Display..... Quick question ..... What is that spotted yellow fish at 3:07 to 3:09?

[@BenOchart]

That is a Nimbochromis venustus or "giraffe hap". A very cool fish that can get to around 10" with a blue face and a bright yellow blaze on the forehead.

[@LVNLEGND]

Thanks for info

[@Bobbyleebudde]

Do you have stock list of your two tanks in this video? If so I would love to get a glimpse of it lol

[@BenOchart]

That's a big list that is changing very rapidly. I'm due for an update, so stay tuned.

[@Deon0026yickadee]

My colors on my phone bring up Your Buccocohromis more yellow but I know you say it's A Nototania but it's as if it's Buccocohromis Rhoadesi Yellow my phone is iPhone 7 plus and I have a rented screen so it could be that. Glad the Polystigma made a come back,

[@BenOchart]

Maybe it's a yellow? We'll see. He's huge but he still has some growing (and coloring up) to do. Thanks for watching Deon and supporting the channel, much appreciated, as you know.

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Ben Ochart he's beautiful this tented screen has to go I picked the wrong one I wanted clear lol

[@pg9804]

Awesome! How can you tell if the Dolphins are male when they're both (male/female) are blue when juvies?

[@BenOchart]

These is a way to tell by pulling them out and inspecting. I'm guessing by growth rate, attitude and an anal fin that is longer and pointed. I'd say there's a 70 - 80% chance I'm right ... but I've been certain before about a male and months later had that "male" holding fry. But, I'm pretty sure that the dominant dolphin is a male.

[@pg9804]

Ben Ochart thanks man. I'm curious because I have one I purchased as unsexed from Live Fish Direct and was wondering how I could tell. I have heard the same about the anal fins, so I appreciate the input. I just didn't know if they should be colored up more or have egg spots like most cichlid males

[@BenOchart]

The one I'm pretty sure is a male does display a deeper blue and his fins are dark, sometimes almost black. Very pretty. I was also under the impression that they like to be in groups and school but I haven't seen that behavior, especially from the bigger male that usually chases the other dolphins away.

[@gaillong1827]

I have 3 around 2.5 inches and pretty much hang together. 2 get darker blue at time and just lately getting dark lower fins. Other one gets really light so assuming I have 2 to 1 ratio

[@bazzad6369]

great video, what lights do you use?

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Bazza d. My lights are Beamworks. I have two 36" units on this tank.

[@gales1621]

two times you mentioned the "tank boss" and that you were crazy about "that guy, but you did not tell what kind of fish it is. Can you please, let me know?

[@AJKAquaria]

Moorii is absolutely top notch.

[@BenOchart]

Thanks AJK. Got them at a LFS for around $9 each. The dominant male is really developing nicely. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@darianni16]

What is the name of the tank boss ? I would like to get one but don’t know the name. Thanks

[@BenOchart]

Back when I filmed this video I believe the tank boss with the Otopharynx tetrastigma

[@gaillong1827]

Very nice Ben! What size do you move them to the regular tank? I have peacocks and a few haps( dolphin, sapphire, and empress) . Growing from birth now 3;weeks dragonblood/lemon Jake and don't want to put them in main tank too soon (others 2 to 3 inch now) and risk a life

[@BenOchart]

Gail Long Hello Gail! I use a couple of measurements. One is size, the other is temperament. A 3" fish that will not fit in the anyone's mouth is usually safe to move over but not if they're a timid fish. For example, a 3 - 4" Polystigma or Venustus is safe but I wouldn't move a Red Empress to the big tank until it was around 4 - 5" because they're not as aggressive and wouldn't hold their own. Thanks for watching!

[@Maneco2109]

how long for venustus to get that big? i have one but bout 1 inch

[@BenOchart]

Emanuel Santiago Hello! Venustus, from my experience grow fast. In 6 - 9 months you'll have a good size fish.

[@jaredmartin4787]

Is that an intermedius at the end of the video?

[@BenOchart]

Actually an Otopharynx tetrastigma (very similar to an intermedius)

[@jaredmartin4787]

@@BenOchart thanks Ben. Best fish in your tank in my opinion.

[@GUPPYKIWI]

Are you in L.A.? Where? I'm from Redondo Beach. Currently in Kansas City.

[@BenOchart]

Born in Hollywood, raised in Silver Lake / Echo Park and currently living in Arcadia. The important question is are you a Royals fan or did you stay true to the Dodgers 😀

[@GUPPYKIWI]

Ben Ochart Thanks, Been!

[@GUPPYKIWI]

GUPPYKIWI Uh, that's "thanks, Ben"

[@mrjaredmartin]

What type of fish is that tank boss?

[@BenOchart]

That's my Otopharynx tetrastigma, sometimes called an Intermedius.

[@cichlidhobbiesbekasi1572]

Malawi fish

[@thefishylife6823]

I want a eye biter so so bad!

[@BenOchart]

They are beautiful. I gave up on my big eyebiter, sold him because I became convinced it was a "her." Now I'm raising two juvie eyebiters, so fingers crossed that one turns out to be a male. Check out the Dimidiochromis strigatus. If you like eyebiters you'll love dimi's.

[@makeluvin]

My tank is never this peaceful

[@BenOchart]

Mine has certainly had it's moments but for the most part, after they've established who the boss it, they settle down.

[@michaelwhyte8529]

what do u do with females?

[@BenOchart]

Sell or give away. I'm considering a breeding group with the Buccochromis spectabilis because they've formed a tight group and school together quite a bit, so I"m reluctant to separate them. Thanks for stopping by.

[@KathrynBrownkatina]

Do u see

[@BenOchart]

???

[@fabriziogrimaldi5037]

Bei pesci ma l'acquario fa veramente schifo 🤮

[@BenOchart]

perché pensi che fa schifo

[@fabriziogrimaldi5037]

@@BenOchart Parlo soprattutto del primo acquario del video. Perché ci sono piante che con i ciclidi africani del Malawi non dovrebbero proprio esserci. Per come è stata allestita la vasca e per le rocce (troppe varietà diverse e troppo colorate). Il secondo acquario del video, invece, va già meglio ma andrebbero eliminate le piante e aggiunte più rocce.