African Cichlids - Which Type Should You Buy?

In today's video, I talk about the different types of African Cichlids, and what you need to consider before buying. I focus on mbuna, peacocks and haps.
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[@Mazoreo]

him: research me: I AM RESEARCHING

[@nsane992002]

I bought a group of the "assorted African cichlids" from my local fish store, I hope it works out I've wanted to African cichlids for a long time and admittedly I'm not as knowledgeable about their ID as I am with new world cichlids. But I'm loving them so far!

[@litoloco4fish]

Your right on point my friend great vid as always!!

[@hectorrodriguez7]

I like how the aggression in you're tank is spread out, it took me a while do figure out who the tank boss is. I've tried keeping peacocks that look the same too, but they always want to be each other up.

[@liljoe123196]

"Those 5 inches make a big difference." 4:35 He tried soooooo hard not to laugh🤣

[@owenf2835]

fr if u not at least 5 inches the ladies all be dippin

[@fishy_vinny]

@@owenf2835 3 take it or leave it

[@AquaApprentice]

Appreciate the info, I know nothing about keeping Cichlids and found this very useful.

[@megaalexios617]

Love it. Thanks. Nice to see useful info instead of stupid music and no narration. This is VERY HELPFUL!

[@RandallLee89]

Just started a cichlid tank. This info helped me a lot thanks a lot!

[@dilanforestieri4202]

Great info, thanks mate!

[@HaYNFishKeeper]

Another solid video braddah 🤙🏽🐠🤙🏽

[@TazawaTanks]

Right on dude!

[@BenOchart]

Sound advice!

[@joearmelli2366]

Love your videos, I have three 125 gal tanks all with cichlids. One of them.has haps,mbunas, and peacocks. And they get along just fine.

[@pizzamonster975]

Your videos are awesome. Thank you so much

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

Great info. .

[@veneshpillay3635]

Thanks for the info. Shout out from South Africa. Enjoying your videos came across you through Ben O

[@mcr123k]

Great video, I learned so much. Thank you for all the information you provided.

[@aquaticbeast1621]

Solid info as always!

[@jimboslice1655]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Very Informative

[@jmotanks8960]

Good Video! 👍🏾

[@bossingmgrtv]

Wow! I like very much your tanks and fishes..

[@willskip1]

Hi and thanks, I learned a lot from this. I have my Peacocks in a 60 gallon and my Mbuna in a 100 gallon ! Will try to change them around.

[@TazawaTanks]

Thanks for watching Bill. Remember that this is only a guideline. If it’s working for you, it may be okay.

[@hellondjoseph9018]

Awesome video thank you ! Where can I find a background like the one you have installed in your tank ?

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

Great video, full of information, others will truly benefit from the knowledge you shared with them. I gave it a thumbs up. Well done bro.

[@TazawaTanks]

Thank you, I very much appreciate your support!

[@matthewmoorecichlids2323]

Tanganyika all the way! 😂 Great vid dude.

[@boscohemi3874]

subbed, Great video , I have been keeping fish for years now. Just decided to give Cichlids a try in a 90gal.Thanks

[@viti339]

Amazing knowledge you have, I'm just starting out and will watch more of your videos.

[@coachm86]

Outstanding video

[@Mazoreo]

no your outstanding

[@jeffreyleikachon1]

Thanks for revisiting the basics!

[@natterism]

I love seeing content like this 15 years ago when i started none of this existed, i have learned so much in the last year since i picked up the hobby again, i have watched ever cichlid video i can find... its watching TV for me lol, TY for your content i have been breaking a lot of the rules but for real beginners this is epic information great work!! and i have given a lot of fish to friends to remove bullies or bullied fish, to make the square shape fit through the circle in my tank..... i currently have a black convict male and female yellow lab, male and female blue dolphin, 1 male 2 female ob's, 4 blood parrots, 2 severums, 1 pleco, 3 lace cats, 12 giant danios, 2 stripped rapheal cats, 1 yoyo loach, 2 african leaf fish, and a 1.5 "no kok yet" baby flowerhorn who holds his own"and im watching like a hawk" until i hit a few years in, he always has the "get his own tank" back up plan but i really want a community one so its an attempt, i have giver 4 yellow labs 4 blue dolphins 3 peacocks,venustis away so far and i have a budy raising 13 fry for me and im gonna steal some of the laidies when they grow out lol

[@rajadey4919]

Severums with African cichlids. The water parameters are different and the aggression levels. 🤔

[@nikkidian]

Great video, I just wish you covered "roughly" how many mbuna can be kept together in each tank size.

[@veronicav2478]

Great video, maybe one day ill try African Cichlids 😊

[@TazawaTanks]

Yes, one day you will have to try some!

[@kishawn01ify]

good info

[@2020Dreamlife]

Great job

[@jacobbh7822]

Love your videos keep it up ❤️

[@frankiefingerz8047]

All true everything u said is dead on ive been in the hobby since about 92 but keeping af cichs only since 12 i had a mixed afs tank from 12-18 since oct runnin a peacock hap tank love it very good video

[@greetjenijdam]

Wow great tanks.

[@TazawaTanks]

Thank you!

[@thabeast2658]

hey there, awesome video! I really want to get into african cichlids and my local pet store have electric- blue and yellow haps for around 10$

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Very helpful advice. I don't keep Africans, mainly because of the misinformation about them. I don't do well with aggressive fish, or overcrowding. This video made me more comfortable with the possibility of keeping them. I love my SA Cichlids so have some understanding of these fish. Also, Joe at FishNerdVlogs just nominated you to take the #Lemonsforleukemia challenge!

[@terryw1945]

I miss seeing that African cichlids tank behind you. Watching this and kg tropical And Ben O Chart made me switch to African cichlids 8 months ago. Now I’m starting a breeding room

[@BuddyClubGardening]

Odd question, but the tank over your right shoulder is cool looking. Could you tell my if you built up the background or is that a 3d purchased one? Thanks. I liked the video btw.

[@TazawaTanks]

The one over my right shoulder (left side of the video) is from Universal Rocks. The one over my left shoulder (right side of the video) is one that I made myself.

[@98masterq]

Very informational. I’m trying not to get discouraged with my 120g, because I want haps but it’s a five foot tank and I kno that even though a 125 is only a extra 5 gallons but how narrow it is and the extra foot makes a huge difference I was told.

[@TazawaTanks]

You can definitely do smaller haps in a 5’ tank. I would avoid the larger predator haps though. Anything that stays smaller than 7-8” in a 5’ tank would be okay. It is too short for the bigger fish though in my opinion.

[@DuzzyDobbin]

Hi I’m enjoying you vids and tanks mate. I was just wondering if you created the backgrounds behind you? If so can I have a link if you did? Thanks for the info regards Aussie Duzzy

[@TazawaTanks]

The one in the Malawi tank is from Universal Rocks. The one in the Tanganyikan tank I made.

[@DuzzyDobbin]

Tazawa Tanks they’re both phenomenal looking love both thank you for taking time to reply.

[@movingontorealfreedom7305]

Learning a lot from ya’! Getting an Oscar. Looking for tank mates.

[@TazawaTanks]

Here is a video I made on Oscar tank mates: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIe8mZqLlteah9E

[@movingontorealfreedom7305]

@@TazawaTanks Last question. How do you feel about a parrot fish with an Oscar? I’ve been seeing and reading that they are compatible. Thx!

[@Jaywil07]

Shweeet stuff dude

[@TazawaTanks]

Thanks brotha!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Great information, me personally, I prefer to keep "the other" african cichlids with Pelvicachromis Taeniatus. Not as aggressive, still a touch territorial, but more just the scare you off type fish. Love these informational videos Zenzo!

[@TazawaTanks]

Nice. Those are beautiful as well!

[@MrCastroFPS]

Could you make a list of the least to most aggressive mbuna? Thanks

[@taxol2]

I keep mine with asian species the albino tilapias in my fish pond. The size is roughly 3mx3mx1m. The water from this upper pond goes to the lower pond which is 5mx3mx1m where I have Kois. I use a lot of water plants for filtration: water poppies, water hyacinth, and water lettuce, they cover at least one third of the water surface.

[@Frank1joker]

Cool.

[@mattrenaud8426]

Thanks

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

All of them. The answer is all of them.

[@paulcardoza9880]

It's a first excellent video!!!

[@TazawaTanks]

Thank you...I think? Does that mean that this is the first time I have made an excellent video, and my others are all blah? LOL!!!!

[@paulcardoza9880]

Tazawa Tanks no I meant all your videos are awesome great information thank you so much

[@TazawaTanks]

LOL! Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@jrami223]

Damn those are huge!!

[@usamahaboo8295]

You rock

[@harendrakumar-gj8pg]

Love from India 🇮🇳❤️❤️

[@aaronkunkel2022]

Great video. Who won your contest?

[@Uriel77200]

I have Mbuna tank with just a few peacocks. Also have a red tailed shark and feather tailed catfish in with them. They get along fine. 55 gal. Ph of 7.8, temp 82.

[@efrainscichlids9038]

Great video, I like Comm and Predators Haps

[@xexoticx5748]

Yea in my opinion keep what you realy like to keep but you need infos before. 28 years ago i'am thinking about keeping a TSC and redtails usw. But i dont think to this time at the amazing space they need. Now i have a hreenhouse with 3 ponds inside in my yard, not realy like planed but ok in my case most people dont have the space or option to built tanks big like a house for his fish.

[@alisonbrown5006]

well thanks foe the vid, this is probuly the fish I want, I think I will get some yellow labs and electric blues if I get a tank with these fish.

[@paparunji2222]

Hey man. I love your videos! A 'Quick' question : Ive Come across a lot of videos where people mix tanganyika with malawi. Would you think i would be able to keep mbunas, haps, peacocks and tropheus in the same tank? Its a 660liter tank with a 200*55*60 cm (sorry for the metric dimensions lol) i would only keep one sort of sub-species of each species, and get them All from juvenile/Fry... There Will be a loooooot of rocks and caves in the tank (which is cycling atm)

[@TazawaTanks]

Yes, you can do that. The hardest part will be making sure the tropheus get the right foods.

[@paparunji2222]

@@TazawaTanks thank you so much for the fast reply. I Will give it a shot, and maybe make a few videos about it too.... Ive been reading a lot about the diet issue, and was thinking to make sure that the rocks have a lot of algae before i add Any fish, and then feed like a 75/25% plant/protein mix of foods.

[@PastorSZ_Author]

Thanks for the videos! I just set up my 1st Cichlid tank: 36gal bowfront. I have 8 in it for now, as they're all younger and will grow. I'm running 2 HOB filters: 1 a 75gal rated and the other rated for 40gal. I had a wish list of cichlids I wanted to stock it with, but had to adjust on the fly after visiting every LFS here in Tucson. Here's what I ended up with: Red Shoulder Peacock Albino Sunshine Peacock (I think) Bumblebee Mbuna Demasoni Mbuna Yellow Lab Red Zebra Electric Blue or Blue Orchard Hap Yellow Tail Acei Thanks again for all of your advice, and plz let me know what you think if you can!

[@TazawaTanks]

Hi Stephen. If I am being honest with you, I foresee issues with some of the fish that you have selected and with the size of your tank. A 36 gallon bow front does not allow for a lot of swimming space, which your Red Shoulder, Sunshine, and Electric Blue Hap will need. Additionally, you have added a Bumblebee and Demasoni, which can be hyper aggressive and may kill some of your other fish, especially because it is a smaller tank. Since you already have the 36 gallon tank, I would see if you could trade the peacocks and aggressive mauna for some yellow labs and acei. I wish you the best of luck!

[@PastorSZ_Author]

Thanks for your reply. I got the bumblebee at my LFS from a "assorted cichlid" tank and didn't know what he was until I got home and looked it up. I'm new to cichlids so I guess I could be wrong, but that's what he looks like. The rest of the fish came from big box pet stores and have a 14 or 30 day return, so I'll watch closely for hyper aggression and return any that become problems. For my space I couldn't go bigger than the 36gal bowfront or I would have. I really like the peacocks and Hap and would hate to see them go. :-( I have a 60gal tropical community tank elsewhere in the house and so maybe I'll look into moving the cichlids to the bigger tank and the tropicals to the smaller tank. Thanks again for your reply and keep pumping out the great vids!

[@rahuls8764]

You should do an all male vs breeding group comparison video... i just think an all male tank never really settles aggression wise.... just got a sunshine breeding 1m/3f group.. hoping that is a better experience

[@chrislloyd8022]

Ive been debating what fish group to have when i get my 150 im thinking leopards as i love there shine

[@terriratcliffe2388]

I'm growing out some predatory haps in a 125 gallon and upgrading them into a 260 gallon aquarium.😊

[@wilsondeleon9461]

Been studying your videos I’ve learned a lot, this doesn’t have anything to do with this video but I was wondering is Red Volcanic rock from a local rock yard safe to put into tank? Thankyou

[@TazawaTanks]

Yes, lava rock (red too) is safe.

[@michaelvickers89]

I bought an electric blue Ahli, I had to buy the female also because they’re only sold as pairs. I have a community tank with a lot of different types of African cichlids. I was reading some where that you should not keep a female with the males? I was not aware of this when I bought them... what should I do?

[@jeffb5785]

I would say if you are considering a 55 go for a 75, same 4 foot length but the difference in width is huge and you will enjoy it much more. Look for used tanks and you will find a ton of 55 tanks from people who bought and hated them.

[@KGcichlids]

Second, dang it frank!

[@TazawaTanks]

LOL!

[@RezidentZombie]

What are the yellow fish you have called? I have yellow peacocks but they have a lot of blue mixed with them. I like the solid yellow body fish you have. Thanks

[@fishfrenzy1914]

I can think of 1 mbuna, a pseudotropheus that is a tank buster, I've wondered how It's classified as such... The Williamsi North, raised 2 from fry both males got huge fast, 7 inch fish. I think you do great videos. Any Tanganyikans planned for your fish room...would love to see some.

[@TazawaTanks]

Thank you! I had a tank with neolamprologus multifaciatus down in the fishroom, but I sold them a couple of months ago at auction. I have a bunch more in the tank to my left, as well as some Brichardi. Nothing else planned for now. I have to sell a bunch of my peacocks and mbuna first, as I have a couple of hundred at this time growing out.

[@bigjayinga]

Great video, how is gym life.

[@TazawaTanks]

Still hitting the gym most days!

[@stevenmills1820]

What are the blue fish to your right called bat are they?look really nice those how many fish can I have with a 33inch in length tank?i have chiclids?

[@billhawkins9297]

Hello, I really enjoy you videos and I am looking at setting up a 75 Gallon corner overflow. I am not looing at breeding and considering a all male peacock tank. I would really like to watch them grow out but from what I understand as a juvenile you can' t tell whether they are male or female until they grow out some. To do a all male Peacock tank am I going to be stock at buying them at a 2" or bigger?

[@TazawaTanks]

Probably 2.5 to 3” to see colors.

[@darcandelaria]

Great video! 😊 what about giraffe cichlids? Can they be kept with mbunas? I didn't hear anything about those? Are those haps? Not as common?

[@TazawaTanks]

Darlene Candelaria Those are actually Haps and they are called Venustus. They get REALLY big, and are predators and may eat some mbuna.

[@darcandelaria]

@@TazawaTanks 😱 wow looks like I should've done more research on those! I've had mbunas cichlids for over 10 years but these ones are new to me. I have two of them and they're really small actually my other mbuna cichlids have been picking on them. How long do you think I have to get them in a larger tank alone? Also I'm not sure if they're male or female yet, they both look exactly the same with a yellow face. My husband wants to get rid of them but I want to keep them even though I wasn't prepared for huge cichlids! I'm actually excited about it 😀 I'm ready to go tank shopping lol 😍

[@TazawaTanks]

A few months. They can grow to be over 10” long.

[@rajadey4919]

What are the peaceful Aulonocara or peacocks? Can i get some names. The Haps are generally piscivore. Not very optimistic about keeping with peaceful peacocks ( few are aggressive ) except the moorii or the blue dolphin.

[@brummiepcgamer568]

hi what light are you useing have got a link for one thank you

[@kenwhite1753]

Is there a way I can show you this cichlid someone gave me tell me what size I need and whats best for it and in worried because its in a 20 gal

[@chirpnfeed7915]

Working on a 65 gallon tank. How do you deal with the ammonia issue. New to this hobby? Thanks in advance

[@ashaf4530]

Chirpnfeed I have a fish tank that is 40 gallons. what I was taught from my father is if you buy a filter that filters over you water capacity like if you have a 65 you would go for a filter that doubles that filtration. You also should build your biological what this means is good bacteria that you can add to the water that eats ammonia and turns it into night traits you still will need to water change at least once or twice a week. I’ve been keeping for 8 years

[@tangbp1]

Hi looking for a colourful chichild which can grow big pH is between 6.5 to 7.5 Any advise Hope to hear from u soon

[@geraldmartin8478]

Great video. My tank is 55 Mbuna tank with 3 small haps. Question about duckweed. I see comments on a site that is selling duckweed that some customers were seeing snails. What do I do if this happens as I want to put it in my Mbuna tank?

[@TazawaTanks]

The snails will end up as snacks.

[@shawnkelly5374]

I have a 36 gallon tank for my 3 African Cichlids. The fish one stay on one side of the tank the second one stay in the middle in the Log and the third stay on the other side of the tank. Is my tank size to small? how many fish can I put in my tank?

[@TomikeNnoham]

What type of cichlids are the most suitable to live with red eared sliders ?

[@herpingandfishingwithlogan]

I was wondering could I house a African cichlid and a bluegill together? Or would the cichlid be too aggressive

[@riteshfamily369]

Hey My friend people said me if u ve crowded tank some fish will get stunt means they won't grow, they can big with age but not big with body coz of tank aggression or other dominant male or etc. Coz I've crowded mixed Malawi tank haps, peackok and Red top and kenyi, banana some auratus like aggressive verity I keep since 2 year but I couldn't get any problems but I add some new 2" haps and peackok in my main tank in same tank big boy's are there from three verity they're around 7" but now everything is okay...And ha I placed sump for them it's small like in 1 hour 150 litre water circulate but it's working amazing and Sponge filters like u I kept them both sides of tank proper airation system and water temperature 26 Digree Celcious. 20 % Water changes once week... Proper feeding...I prefer Cichlid Excel hikari ,sometimes bloodworms, I want to ask u if I got different kind of species together in same tank I put them together the intention behind that I know they have same space but can't comepete as much as with others for Space and aggression is spread as well as dissolve... But I want each and every fish of my tank must grow is it possible I ask u coz of crowded tank... Only that question I want ask I

[@avirupmajumder7342]

i have a 35 gallon tank. how many cichlids can be kept? i am planning to do a malwai tank.

[@ct2368]

Good video, don't let those cuss words affect you.

[@riteshfamily369]

Hey can u tell me how do u control kenyi cichlids aggression coz u knw dat1 is more territory fish.My problem is i ve mix cichlids kadango,venuses,dolphin,electric yellow lab,electric blue,Livingstony,nireri But i 'VE 5 kenyi & they took four places of tank as per 1,n they show aggression towards other & my 1 kenyi took 1 corner of tank & He is dominant male he never give enter to half of tank then aggression level up but other fishes live half of tank wat should i dooo,coz i want peaceful tank like u ,,,I messaged u coz i saw u ve also kenyi & He's very peaceful guy,so i thought ask u for ur valuable advice..I keep also rocky decoration temp is 28° then they four showing aggression & 1 of them took half of tank so for peaceful tank wat should i do plz i saw u keep more dan 1 kenyi but they live 2gether bt my kenyi bullyingto other and dosturb to other what should i do for peacefully tank like u plz give some important tips

[@lizdyson3627]

What size tank would you use for apistos?

[@ashaf4530]

Oof I only have a 40 and I’m changing over I have a filter that filters 75 gallons I’m setting up a sand filter and skimmer I have rock for caves already and I plan on getting juvenile fish this ok?

[@bullitlbc]

Great video! Question: on my cichlid tank there was a tank boss, looks like he got beat up by another cichlid in the tank. (Hierarchy) but the old tank boss is scared to come out of his hiding place. And the new tank boss is just swimming around like nothing flossing. Is this normal?

[@TazawaTanks]

Yes, this is normal. The hierarchy changes from time to time.

[@RudesindoGarcia]

What kind of substrate are you using? Beautiful white color!!!!

[@TazawaTanks]

Aragonite

[@JustMyFish]

I like electric blue haps. For peacock's I like OBs and sunshine's. I do like all the fish. Why did you not inclued lake vic. As most of them fish will live just fine with peacock's. Thanks man

[@TazawaTanks]

Lake Victoria fish will do well in there, but they are not as common, and 90%+ of the viewers will not be able to find them in their LFS. Good point though, thank you.

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

am doing good and the FX 6 with the biohome is just working nice. I ha e two things if I can get your advise it will be great. How many african cichild Malawi can i put in 125 L aquarium juwel Rio i am talking about adult fish? How many kilo of rocks i can put at 250L Rio aquarium with it is original fernture also for African cichild Malawi.? I am concerned about security of the aquarium!! Thank you very much and have a great day Kind regards Nasir

[@retrogradedad651]

Where's the place to go to order aquariums?

[@kyoukotoshino5600]

I am looking around for a single fish 40G.B cichlid.

[@NestoRides514]

Thinking about getting back into an aquarium. I have a 65 tall. It has a built in corner drain with stand pipe. What fish do you suggest and how many? Thx.

[@TazawaTanks]

Hmmm...so many options. I have a 65 gallon planted tank, but I’ve also had mbuna in the tank before. Some dwarf mbuna in a 65 tall would be nice. You could stack up some rocks and have lots of caves and hiding areas.

[@riteshfamily369]

Hey bro how do u feed them bcoz i've tank like u and fish in amount like u but wwn i feed them in good amount tank get immediately cloudy so i don't want it so plz tell me technically how do i feed them

[@TazawaTanks]

I just scoop food and dump it in the tank.

[@victorlozano6749]

Hi there, how many mbuna cichlid can go in 40 breeder tank

[@davidkoutsogiane6103]

Hey man hb a 65 that has the same dimensions as a 55 just taller

[@mikeshine7608]

Hey what kind of cichlid is that in the background its orange,pink and blue multi colored. Looks awesome

[@TazawaTanks]

An OB peacock.

[@mikeshine7608]

@@TazawaTanks awesome video... thank you!