African Cichlids - Which Tank Size Should You Get?

Knowing what tank size you should get for an African Cichlid Aquarium can be very challenging for newer fish keepers. This videos goes through many common aquarium sizes, and which may be suitable for African cichlids.
If you enjoyed this video, consider watching this video on stocking African cichlids: • How Many AFRICAN CICHL...
Chapters of this video:
0:00 - Intro
1:16 - What this video covers
3:15 - What are African cichlids
4:05 - Small aquariums
5:55 - 40 gallon aquariums
8:39 - 55/60 gallon aquariums
10:10 - Controversy on 55 gallon aquariums
11:55 - 65 gallon aquarium
13:24 - Larger aquariums
15:05 - Very large aquariums
16:03 - Summary
Link to fish foods, plants, and aquarium supplies www.aquariumcoop.com
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#africancichlids #aquariums #fishtanks
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Disclaimer: This video and description may contain affiliate links. I am also employed by Aquarium Co-Op, LLC. Some video content may be sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.

[@TazawaTanks]

If you enjoyed this video, consider watching this video on stocking African cichlids: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKabYauXhbKSptE What I feed my African cichlids: www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/fish-food/products/xtreme-big-fella-pellets What I use to treat the water: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/fritz-a-c-c-r-water-conditioner?_pos=5&_sid=28254a009&_ss=r

[@AmazingCichlids]

What’s your thoughts on the fluval Siena 330, 110cm x 55cm x 55cm 330litres. Do you think I could keep some peacocks in that and if so how many?

[@TazawaTanks]

@@AmazingCichlids Yes, I think you could keep some peacocks in a tank of that size. What you’re describing is about 90 US gallons. You could probably easily keep 10-15 peacocks in that tank if setup correctly.

[@AmazingCichlids]

@@TazawaTanks okay I’ve started off with 12 peacocks, might up it to 15 as they seem to squabbling a lot already.

[@Calilasseia]

The simplest rule to remember - house Malawis in tne biggest tank you can afford. With Mbuna, that need extensive rockwok, this is especially vital, because the rockwork needed to keep Mbuna happy, will eat into the water volume. The bigger the tank volume, the easier it will be to keep it filtered, and the more options you will have for aggression mitigation. If you're thinking of taking on the challenge of Petrotilapia species or other high aggression Mbuna, I would suggest 125 gallons as a MINIMUM. If you can give them a bigger home, so much the better. And open water Nimbochromis that grow big will need even more - I'd suggest 250 gallons for those as a baseline. Best setup I've seen was at a public aquarium ... their Mbunas were living in 1,200 gallons, but most homes won't accommodate a tank thst size. But if you CAN splash out on that sort of setup (and your floor will support the weight of course!) then you should have few problems even with berserkers such as Melanochromis chipokae. And big Nimbochromis will love that sort of space of course. Oh, and a tip for those who haven't seen this species in their stores - if you're looking for a mild mannered Mbuna that will live in a more modest setup, hunt down Iodotropheus sprengerae. It's the most docile of them all, though you'll still have to watch for occasional short outbursts. In a bigger setup, this species will cohabit nicely with Yellow Labs, and the colour contrast will be a talking point. :)

[@eues803]

Zenzo, very nice video for persons that are getting into this hobby, and also those that still have doubts about size and types to be put together.

[@99Canecas]

Great video Zenzo … Hope you have a nice christmas/NewYears . Thanks for videos .

[@fbasantajr]

Zenzo, as usual a lot of great info, thank you from NYC

[@AnnHollingshead]

Time stamps are super helpful.

[@faunadael]

Thank you! Awesome info.!

[@cichlid_kings]

Awesome man, great content 😎

[@Shane-ps3rn]

I have a 60 gallon with 10 peacocks 2 clown loach and a jack Dempsey they all get on fine . But saying that it might not work out for the next person it’s all down to the fish I raised mine all young at the same time loving your vids keep them coming🇬🇧

[@denz4133]

Thank you Zenzo!

[@t1dirty]

More great information

[@CC-wy1yb]

Love your video thank you so much.

[@TazawaTanks]

You are so welcome!

[@markbaumgardt2868]

Hi Zanzibar I'm a Malawi hobbyist like you for over 20years I used to have a number of tanks including a 300 gallon now I moved into an apartment I only have a 75 with a Eheim classic XL I have a few predators and some peacocks they are all colored up and looking great with nitrates of 10 parts but I do multiple water changes a week as I say this tank would not work for everyone love your vids keep up the good work 🙂👍❤

[@ChrisJohnson-ed9bg]

I’ve had my peacocks cichlids in my 125 for 6 years my wife loves that tank

[@apss5736]

awesome video

[@leonardlipscomb2163]

Thank you

[@happythedog2013]

my 75 gallon aquarium is 48×16×24, it has the Hagen brand name, I once saw a used 55 gallon in the classifieds that was 40×16×20, someone else bought it before I got the chance though.

[@2ssrs950]

I went 40 gallon breeder way more room for rocks. I plan on stocking mbuna because of there temper and size plus they prefer more bottom space vrs taller tanks like the 55. The 40 breeder is actually bigger in square footage.

[@cdee2456]

Dog analogy was off though lol, but I feel you. Big dogs tend to sleep more and just be content hanging out until they go for the walks

[@nathanswager6751]

I've got yellow labs, acei and albino soccolfi in my 75. tons of rocks and caves and works well. Although if i were to ever do peacocks, i'd probably not want to until/if i got a 120+

[@videogazer801]

You have a 75G and that’s more than enough for 20-30 cichlid comfortably depending on the fish. Any bigger than a 75 is just a waste

[@prestigeworldwide5538]

At the 0:33 timestamp. What is the ID of the cichlid under the two OBs? It has a blue face/head then orange fading out to a darker gray maybe. Thanks to whoever knows. Greatly appreciated

[@chrislittles19]

Enjoy the vids added some rainbow fish to my 75 gallon peacock tank

[@donhangani]

Hi Zenzo. I'm inspired by your videos and I want more info on one tank in particular. It's displayed briefly @12:20. What plants and fish are in there? Do you have a video on this tank?

[@TazawaTanks]

Ho there. That tanks is a 65 tall. It is the same width and length as a 40 breeder (36 x 18), but much taller. I have a few videos that show different setups in that tank. In this video, it had a mixture of South American community fish (otocinclus, pleco, cardinal tetras, corydorya, and some discus). Plants were a mixture as well.

[@donhangani]

@@TazawaTanks love it, thanks for your detailed response. I'm stepping up from a 20g to a 75g and I think I'll try some of those especially the discus. They're amazing!

[@JoseFlores-fm2vc]

Hey bro! Love your Channel! I have a 40 Gallon breeder I got off my local market place, and it came with 2 Moba Frontosa about 5inches ,4 Neolamprologus leleupi, 2 lamprologus “Multi”, 3 paracyprichromis nigripinnis “Blue Neon”, and 1 calvus Inkfin. I want to remove the smaller guys and add 2-3 Frontosa. So it would only be about 5 frontosa and 4 Leleupi. Do you think that is ok?

[@TazawaTanks]

I would suggest going with smaller fish. Frontosa are slow growers, but get really big over time. I’d recommend at least a 125 gallon tank as a minimum for a small group of Frontosa.

[@MrAjenn]

Hi Zenzo, what substrate/background color would be better for peacock cichlids?

[@TazawaTanks]

Background doesn't really matter. Best substrate in my opinion for Malawi cichlids is crushed coral.

[@asantemayo1007]

How many can I put in a 50gallon 4ft long and 15in front to back

[@kerrypitt9789]

Zenzo thank you. I am looking at African Cichlids seriously for the first time because I ran across a nice group being kept together. I know dynamics can change with location etc but these Miloma's are seemingly pretty calm. So far everything I have read about them say they are a pretty mellow fish except during a Spawn, but being African Cichlids I know there can be temper issues. These fish are about 3.5 to 4" long, was aiming for a 90 gallon simply because I have several and one is ready. That will leave me a bit of room for scape and maybe something else down the road. Do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks as always

[@TazawaTanks]

Totally acceptable in a 90. VC-10s will max out at about 8”, so you should be fine.

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@TazawaTanks I think the VC designation is pretty cool! I am an aircraft history buff.

[@kendravoracek3636]

💙💙

[@stevedate7097]

I breed African cichlids and grow them out in in15 gallon tanks. Some till 2 inches and are absolutely fine. It depends on a number of different things but they can live together in smaller tanks. So people with small tanks can have cichlids

[@TazawaTanks]

Yeah, I used to grow mine out in 10s and 20s until they were maybe 1.5” or so. Temporary though.

[@1988Stateofmind]

So we have some odd sizes tank, converted it's 120g, 60" long, 20" wide and 26" heigh. Can I keep Mbuna with like 4 peacocks in there? Of so, what would be a ballpark number for the amount of Mbuna?

[@TazawaTanks]

That’s 135 gallons. Yes, you could keep mbuna and peacocks in that tank. Easily 20+ if you’re good with weekly water changes.

[@1988Stateofmind]

@@TazawaTanks yeah thats another thing here (Netherlands), manufacturers give an estimated net volume after adding sand and wood/decoration. You are right, its 135 empty. Thank you for the swift reply! Love your vids.

[@kountry_bumpkin8455]

I’ve got 4 Mbunas in a 36 gallon Bowfront…looking to get a bigger tank, but they’re small right now. Is this tank set up ok?

[@TazawaTanks]

For now it’s probably okay. A larger tank in the future is good, especially when they grow and start spawning.

[@kountry_bumpkin8455]

@@TazawaTanks thank you for responding! A bigger tank is definitely in the works once they get bigger! Love your videos!

[@sporq4156]

I've been kind of on a kick of keeping only one fish per tank. I have kept fish for 33 years and had all kinds of fish over the years but I've never kept Africans. I have an empty 75 I am wanting to set up. Is there an African Cichlid that will be okay alone in a tank? And what would you recommend for my 75 as a solo specimen?

[@apss5736]

most africans do better in groups . maybe a smaller species of tilapia or other west african cichlid under a foot

[@sporq4156]

Thanks for the reply. I was assuming that they did better in groups. I will do some research on some West Africans.

[@philcrenshaw2465]

Is a 55 gallon tank good for them

[@yunge9482]

Don’t you have a pair of Hemichromis elongatus ? Ive been looking for months now and I have no luck finding any. I believe in one of your videos you were showing them off :

[@TazawaTanks]

I do. They bred for a few times as well.

[@yunge9482]

@@TazawaTanks interested in selling ? Your literally the only person I’ve come in contact who actually has some. I didn’t know they were rare I just thought their wasn’t a demand for them.

[@TazawaTanks]

@@yunge9482 They haven’t successfully spawned for me in a long time. Possibly, if they do again. I don’t like shipping fish though.

[@wolf_pre4162]

Hello so how many mbuna fully grown can I keep in a 55 gallon tank ?

[@TazawaTanks]

If it were me, I would aim for around 10-12.

[@wolf_pre4162]

@@TazawaTanks is that fully grown and can I do 20 or to much like will it hurt them ?

[@AnteVTL]

👍🐟

[@jman7655]

my 65 gallon tank is 48x18x18

[@happythedog2013]

Big dogs are fine in a small apartment as long as you give them their walks and exercise. It's really what the dog was bred for that counts. We don't really take fishes out for walks nor do we breed them to do any kind of specific work.

[@TazawaTanks]

I take my fish out for walks once per day. I had the leashes custom-made😜.

[@happythedog2013]

@@TazawaTanks must be the mudskippers

[@frankiefingerz8047]

Generally 40 & up

[@markbaumgardt2868]

Sorry Zenzo a Google spelling malfunction 🙂

[@michaeldelorenzo9037]

If I didn't know better I would think you are Bernie Williams..

[@alarictims6459]

had a worker at my local fish store tell me mbuna need a 300 gallon minimum …😂

[@ivanfegen1367]

A general rule i follow: No adult fish length x10 should exceed the length of the tank.

[@wendihamlett105]

Thank you