Top 10 Cichlids for Beginners

[@austinyorgason8938]

I think the Bolivian ram is the perfect cichlid for beginners. This was my first cichlid and that’s why I recommend them. They are very easy to take care of, have a great personality, and show some great color.

[@rudywatkins1312]

Great job Cichlid Bros. First of your videos I have seen on here. Already a fan. Dr. Rudy

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, and much appreciated!

[@bobs5596]

gotta give you credit for picking the dempsey and the convict, there is a reason they remain the old standards . i started with these 2 in a 29gal in 1973. both bred prolifically at opposite tank ends. i had rockwork all the way to the surface so they easily established territories. the babies were raised right in the tank till i fished them out and took them to my lfs. i still love these 2 species and have bought several new large tanks(75,40) this week which i am going to set up and stock with the same again, but with single individuals, so no breeding will occur! your vid reminded me of their personalities and helped confirm my decision. and a new sub.

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome. They are definitely a staple in the hobby for a good reason! Welcome to the channel!

[@Rexwizord]

Very good tank size info. Most other non cichlid specific people are usually wrong.

[@MbunaMarcus]

Great choices...these bros know

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@ruturaj47]

Awesome list. I am fan of colors, sevrum and yellow labs were on top of my list for future tanks already, seems like yellow tail acei would be good tank mates for yellow labs. BTW, that geophagus, Oscar and sevrum tank is amazing.

[@CichlidBros]

Very nice. And thank you!

[@alaskacosplay]

Green terrors and jack dempseys look so cool!! The green terror is more nostalgic to me since I had one when I was younger and the jack dempsey has been one of my dream cichlids to keep along with a Firemouth, Redhead, Black Belt, Jaguar, and some other cichlids that I forgot the names of. If I had a breeding pair of Jack Dempseys, the male would be named Jack and the female Jacqueline or Jackie

[@BoogaFortnite]

I recommend the blood parrot. they accept a most tropical temperatures can be housed in a 30G + and are relatively docile. Also GREAT personality.

[@CichlidBros]

It’s a great beginner cichlid for sure. As adults, I’d recommend a 55 or more. They get pretty large!

[@evanwile2455]

Great list. I currently have / have had a few on there and a few others on your list are in my list of ‘perhaps some-day’ fish. Only other one I would have added to at least the honourable mentions would be the angel fish since you could still have one in a 29 or a few in a 55. Great content and thanks again!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, and agreed!

[@KMcnitty44]

Great content, definitely took notes, thanks.

[@CichlidBros]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KMcnitty44]

@@CichlidBros do you have recommendations for where I might find these on the list?

[@cosmicshy637]

The yellow lab steals my heart ❤ Bright, sunny, chill w/others. Just got a pair of yellow finned acai & a bright, bold red zebra, which I've been waiting for forever for my 55 gal. I'm hoping soon to get a much bigger tank so I can add more to the tank. It's a little addictive! Lol

[@garg4531]

Surprised angelfish didn’t get mentioned Very unique-looking fish, pretty easy to keep, and pretty peaceful in the right setup

[@CichlidBros]

Yep, that could be a good addition

[@nick92028]

You forgot Thorichthys Aureus or Aureum Cichlid. Absolutely gorgeous!

[@srikrishnaghosh6135]

Nice video... Informative.. i have two fire mouth . And want to add more chichlids... Thinking about two blue acara pair and what would be other two varieties of chichlids as per your recommendation? I am having 2feet tank .

[@noodlefpv8040]

What about the blood parrot? They are the cichlid that brought me into the hobby. Their personality is close to unmatched and they are extremely hardy. I work at a large volume fish store I never have to pull floaters out. I love them and my jumbo female runs my south american cichlid comunity

[@onehitterquitter2130]

Blood Parrots are the ones that got me into fish keeping 20+ years now.

[@joealyjim3029]

Lets not promote a man made hybrid that has severe anatomical deformities.

[@jamesshamley6577]

There is nothing wrong with them. They feed well, grow and are just generally hardy fish.

[@dbrown4752]

#1 ugliest fish. Not even a cichlid to me

[@Maréclipz]

@@dbrown4752unlike the other cichlids they don’t kill all your other fish

[@susanboyd1422]

Blood parrots are my fav. They look like little cherubs. ❤

[@assamfishlovers6581]

Nice information... Love from India 🇮🇳

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@Jake-ur2wf]

I have a rainbow cichlid in my community, he's so awesome.

[@fishman_tony]

I'd recommend Julidochromis Transcriptus (Masked Julie) or even Neolamprologus Leleupi. Both are from Lake Tanganyika and stay around 3 to 4 inches. My first cichlid was a masked julie pair. They've spawned twice and seem happy in my 20 gallon which is a species only tank.

[@tinadoyle3803]

Hi, I have a 65g tank and I love all the fish you showed, I'm very keen too breed so could you recommend the best fish to go with iv bred kribs and Rams in the past so I'd just like to try something else apart from convicts. Tia

[@thomasashe2681]

I was surprised not to see Angels on that list.

[@MusicLincolnshire]

What type of cichlid is the really colourful one at 10:27 in the video please?

[@CichlidBros]

That’s either the green terror or Salvini in the back

[@jeremymoore450]

Nice video, What do you recommend for a 90 gal tank. I got one given to me for free it was in bad maintenance care. It came with 2 blood parrots and a clown loach. I added 4 AF cichlids in it also and another clown loach. All little of course. I have the yellow one with the black stripe on the top fin he is so cute and I have a purple ish blue one and a black one and a golden one. How many can I keep they are so active?

[@charlesdavis8995]

What type of food is best for the fish

[@dmitrimikrioukov5935]

I have currently been keeping a thorichthys maculipinnis male for a few months. So far he seems to be reasonably flexible in terms of food (Russian and German brands of general, goldfish, cichlid, discus, catfish, algae-based, dried daphnia, dried gammarus), tank size and water parameter fluctuations, including temperature (been 24-28 degrees at various times so far over the period). The only problem I have experienced is agression, especially towards my gourami. However, the main reason may be just inadequate tank size - 9 gallon. 😔

[@joakimlager2477]

Eye eater? The ciclid u had. Must be. Very Nice cool and different. U brothers are The best

[@careysteinberg3363]

Which is the one with the protruding head?

[@TinoushGTR]

So can I keep all these together? Kind of tiered of sick discus all the time. Oh ad a green terror to the list as well.

[@Jake-ur2wf]

Still need a Blue Acara... but don't think I have the space. Always tempting.

[@CichlidBros]

I’ll keep trying to convince you!

[@Jake-ur2wf]

@@CichlidBros Your incredible community tank is all the convincing I need. Haha.

[@ronjericho7977]

I added one to my tank of tiger barbs. He’s was a great addition. He quickly let them know he was in charge.

[@mandypangle6188]

Can I get a complete list for 50 gallon tank and how many?

[@leeh9520]

Would like to know what tank size for the yellow Lab thanks

[@CichlidBros]

I would recommend a 55/75 gallon for mbuna

[@joakimlager2477]

Very good content as always.. I saw a blue long stretching ciclid but i dont know what it was? I really want one i felt it directly.. Help?

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I believe that was the Malawi Eye Biter

[@amymandeville8342]

I used to keep yellow labs, jack Dempsey and kribs and I really miss them. They're great fish! I don't recommend keeping kribs with more peaceful fish like rams. My female krib killed all of my German Blues, two Golds and one Bolivian. I rehomed her to a friend with a 75 gallon tank.

[@MarievaPsa]

I have little to no experience owning fish and yesterday my mom brought home two electric cichlids because the aquarium at her workplace broke. Since it was not planned for us to get fish I dont even own the basics. Basically im looking for low a budget aquarium setup to begin with and advice regarding pH and water conditions. Actually this morning one of them died propably because of the shock or change in water??

[@oakzzyy]

my first cichlid was a super green cichlid and he was my best fish but are very territorial fish but he was good with my convict and jack dempsey

[@link6020]

Give you give me a tank idea for a 65 gallon? Would like 2-4 colorful cichlids if possible, some schoolers and something to help keep the tank clean like cory. Thanks for the help.

[@dharamsingh5381]

Can king kong parrot fish live with other peaceful cichlid comfortably like Severum, neon blue acara or geophagus cichlid or will it have any issues. Please tell as I am willing to buy one.

[@chrisrigas899]

What can I put in 29 gallon tank that’ll eat feeder guppies

[@karibenson2009]

Which are good to go with my Ornate Bichir? and which ones can go together? and how many of each can I have?

[@CichlidBros]

I would say any of the American cichlids on this list except for the apisto

[@AtariTheAquarist]

Angel fish are also a good choice

[@CichlidBros]

Definitely a solid option

[@kevinautler3227]

So I've noticed none of you have black sharks in your tanks. Can you guys do a video on them? I think people need to know about them. They are extremely aggressive and is the only fish I've had to re home. I've had tanks with Oscars,Texas, Jack dempsey, firemouth, convict, venutrus, selvini,and red devils in the same tank and never had a problem until I put a black shark in the tank

[@kingtimmy23]

Oscars are the best fish ever. I have had a red and tiger Oscar together for almost 2 years now, and they are so personable and just great fish

[@kevinhoffman8112]

What do you guys think about the festivum cichlid? I've had them several times over the years and they've always been super peaceful and get along with fish much smaller than them.

[@CichlidBros]

Love festivum. Peaceful cichlid that usually works well with plants

[@ritvijpatankar731]

Can I keep yellow lab and caudopunctatus together in my 29 gallon tank?

[@CichlidBros]

Caudopunctatus, yes. Might be too small for yellow labs long term

[@ritvijpatankar731]

@@CichlidBros might you suggest any other bright coloured cichlid that I can add, along with the caudopunctatus please?

[@ritvijpatankar731]

Will any particular dwarf species be ok?

[@CivicGang24]

How about a 29gal stock for cichlids that wouldn’t need to be upgraded to a larger tank ? Or which 1 cichlid will do well by itself in a 29gal ?

[@alexmcnamara3244]

Apistogramma would work well in a 29 for it’s entire life. Maybe even two if you can find a male female combo

[@rooterdaddy6889]

Festivum for the rest of 'em!

[@CichlidBros]

Great option. Sometimes a bit hard to find near me

[@AlphaOmegaKnight77658]

Would a firemouth and a convict be a decent combo?

[@CichlidBros]

I think so. Most of the time that will work

[@KYFanatic23]

How many apistogramma can you keep in a 20 gallon long? and can the tank be somewhat heavily planted or should it be lightly planted

[@shanejones578]

If you want something else in there like 2 max. If it’s just them maybe 3-4

[@rikudousennin8072]

My first and only Cichlid is Flowerhorn damn I wasn't prepared

[@legsian]

firemouth i got is aggressive, yellow labs probably easiest and hardy

[@Waco2SM]

Could you please share the names of the plants in the 180 tanks and where you bought them?

[@CichlidBros]

They’re from elitecichlids.com and they’re the amazon sword, foxtail, and fern

[@Waco2SM]

@@CichlidBros thanks!

[@claraumbra5017]

:( seems like rift Malawi cichlids weren't on the list at all. Is the yellow lab a rift?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep it is! The yellow lab, yellow tail acei, and electric blue hap are from lake Malawi

[@jbarlak]

Lol yup. Just let Jack Dempsey pair up with a mate and they are a holy terror in any size tank when fry show up

[@PULAG]

Can a cichlid be in a 10 gal tank as a centerpiece?

[@CichlidBros]

There aren't many cichlids that can fit in a 10 gallon, but possible a few shell dwellers or maybe one apistogramma

[@PULAG]

@@CichlidBros I'll wait til I grab a 20gal I guess lol thanks though

[@DirtNassty]

@@PULAG lol 20 is still way too small too... Don't waste your time and get atleast a 55 preferably 75+

[@tvPopCulturePulse]

wspaniałe ryby 😎✌️

[@joakimlager2477]

From Polen? Im from Sweden jonkoping. God bless

[@tvPopCulturePulse]

@@joakimlager2477 yes, i am from Poland but i living in Paris

[@AlexK-ew1mo]

What about shell dwellers? I'm considering them as my first cichlid as I only have space for a 10 gallon. Planning on 1 male and 2 females. Since it wasn't on your list, I assume they're not good for beginners?

[@CichlidBros]

They're good options for sure. Sometimes can be a bit sensitive to softer water and high nitrates, but overall a great choice.

[@Mr_Tequila_Travels]

Missed discus and angelfish

[@CichlidBros]

I don’t think I did

[@samiam159007]

I would have switched the Bolivian Ram with the Firemouth honestly. The firemouths I've kept were actually fairly aggressive, admittedly more so when there is more than one. But for that reason alone I'd switch with the Bolivian. They are hardy fish though and do well in various set ups. Great video nonetheless!

[@tannerolafson3619]

My firemouth is always competing with my severum to be tank boss he always flares up at her

[@paulmartin3946]

No Red Zebra's?

[@rudratumuluri7814]

angelfish is one of them most beginners are attrated to them

[@tommyblansett9254]

While I liked your list, I don't believe a beginner should start off with the larger tanks. A ten gallon tank with some combination of guppies, swordtails, cory cats, koolie loaches, leopard danios and a dwarf apisto or a rainbow cichlid . A twenty gallon long tank with some "wormy" rocks to help keep the water harder including cory cats, leopard danios or zebra danios or tiger bsrbs with a julie cichlid.

[@ronjericho7977]

In general a larger tank is more forgiving to mistakes. It takes very little to throw a 10 gallon tank out of balance.

[@rudywatkins1312]

@Tommy Blansett.....If I might remind you the name of the video is top 10 cichlids for beginners, that would NOT be beginners to fish keeping. People start with the fish you mentioned & then want to get a tank of cichlids, but are not sure which way to go. This video is targeted to help guys progress to their first cichlid tank.🙂🙂🙂

[@tommyblansett9254]

@@rudywatkins1312 thank you for the reminder. I wanted to make sure the true novices would realize that starting off with cichlids MAY not be the best move. That PERHAPS it would be best to learn the basics with "easier" fish since a true novice MIGHT get the notion that a beginner could start off with cichlids as some have done I did not mean to insult the host.

[@Rexwizord]

Set timestamps next video if you haven't already

[@Gud2B_Blessed]

Who doesn't fall in love with cichlids. 😍😍🐟🐟❤❤😍😍😍😘🐟🐟😘🤔🐟🐟😍😍❤❤

[@CichlidBros]

Agreed!

[@jaymilo8425]

Keyhole, rusty and starry night for me

[@MichaelRobinson-vw4jg]

I just rehomed my red spotted severum, nasty nasty!

[@CichlidBros]

How big was your tank?

[@christianpitch7993]

I would have to disagree with 3, convicts/jd/firemouth. For a beginner, no...

[@CichlidBros]

Convicts are extremely hardy and easiest to get into breeding. They are one of the most common beginner cichlids out there

[@Rexwizord]

Always get Dempsey's as babies, or they definitely will not be docile

[@newerafrican]

No angels? No Geophagus?

[@CichlidBros]

Angels are a good beginner option. I wouldn’t say geos since most get big and need specific tank setups

[@Maréclipz]

Cichlids are so aggressive I’ll never own them again

[@CichlidBros]

Just have to keep the right ones in the correct setup and they’re fine

[@basilsukumaran6077]

Should have watched this video as o have no idea about cicchlods and ended up mixing african and american cicchlids