Top 7 South American Cichlid Tank Setups & Stocking Ideas

In today's video, we have our top 7 list of South American cichlid tank setups and stocking ideas. We get asked often about different stocking options and tanks sizes for cichlids, so hopefully this video is helpful and informative.
There are a ton of great options out there, so we couldn't list everything. If we missed one of your favorite cichlid tank setups, please let us know in the comments section below, or just let us know which setup you liked most from the video!
- Angelfish Tank Mates: • Top 10 Tank Mates for ...
- Discus Tank Mates: • Top 10 Tank Mates for ...
- Gymnogeophagus Care Guide: • How to Keep Gymnogeoph...
If you're interested in any of the products used in our aquariums today, feel free to check out the affiliate links below.
Food
- Xtreme Krill Flakes - geni.us/iTAWsN
- Xtreme Big Fella Pellets - geni.us/9Cra
- Xtreme Nice Pellets - geni.us/6ADcc
Equipment
- Aquarium Co-Op LED Light: geni.us/D896w
- Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0 - amzn.to/35yJ0MD
- Sicce XStream SDC - amzn.to/3fRZWk1
- Seachem Tidal 110: amzn.to/3yRUHdq
- Sicce Ultra Zero Pump: amzn.to/3PO5ko4
- Python Water Changer: amzn.to/3a17dbb
Plants
- Anubias Barteri - geni.us/CxmAnz
- Java Fern - geni.us/SyEYJBS
- Windelov Java Fern - geni.us/rkYNsBM
- Plant Weights - geni.us/4iWZZZ
Chemicals
- Easy Green Fertilizer - geni.us/NAl6lK
- Fritz Glass/Acrylic Cleaner: geni.us/uvmwK8
Thanks again for watching, and we'll see you next week!

[@opethmike]

Literally the exact video I was waiting for.

[@simojnr5538]

I'm currently setting up my own cichlid tank, I have been enjoying watching a lot of your videos new and old

[@rybamjo8160]

Amazing list! I’ve got a 90 Gallon in order and I’m split on stocking between South American and Central so would love a list for Central 👍🏼 love the format of listing setup ideas rather than just what fish to keep! Much more interesting for me personally!!

[@jerryhigg]

Awesome vid Troy, nice haircut too! I love the Discus and think I’d want a school of Cardinal Tetras with them, and a few albino Plecos ❤ 🐠 👍

[@drewsta005]

Been a min since I have seen a vid from you guys. Love the ideas!

[@neerajname]

Great job Cichlid Bros. You bring nuances of fish keeping, something I never find anywhere else.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@curtisandsarah]

Keen on a central American vid, this was awesome info

[@zubairsyed23]

Love the ideas.🤩

[@CichlidBros]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@vnukvelesov]

Красивые аквариумы и классные рыбки ! Люблю цихлид 👍🐠🔥

[@hossaquatics1600]

Love the electric blue acara and severum combo

[@DGGuaglianone]

Awesome video!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@Jake-ur2wf]

Man, this makes my choice harder for the 210 coming in next week lol. Debating between SA Cichlids and a large planted community. Ugh. Lovely video as always guys.

[@CichlidBros]

Haha, lot of good options out there! Can't really go wrong

[@paulkruger491]

Beautiful fish..

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@jeremymoore450]

Troy, Great video on South American cichlids. I have a 90 gal stocked with a red devil, JD, green terror, chocolate cichlid, a turquoise Severus and a golden severum. I love the Central American and South American cichlids. I have about 9 Buenos Aires tetras as dither fish. I added a few catfish in the bottom ones you recommended a while ago. All beautiful fish. I have a lot of filtration 2 tidal 110s and a internal xpertmatic canister filter. And one sponge filter lol. I know 4 things of filtration is that over kill? No plants though. I have a planted 55 gal tank with a EBA and a Jewel cichlid, 2 rams, 4 Denison barbs, 6 giant danios, 5 different rainbow fish, 8 red eye tetras, 2 golden wonder killi fish. Some bottom feeders as well. I also have a planted 20 long with a Kribensis as the center piece and Mixed nano fish. I love planted tanks. Appreciate the video man. Can’t wait for the Central American cichlid video.

[@cdracing]

TY

[@Onedonethemost]

I gown up with a massive oscar. Love them

[@CichlidBros]

The best!

[@rustyberry4405]

Love the ideas. I’ve slowly been building a SA cichlid tank with an angelfish, severum, Bolivian ram and geophagus jurupari. There’s a school of scissortail rasboras with them and it makes for a fun tank to watch.

[@CichlidBros]

Sounds like a great setup!

[@rustyberry4405]

@@CichlidBros thank you. My main question for my tank is if I wanted to add another geophagus, do I need to get a jurupari or would another type work fine. (The jurupari I just got in June.)

[@phillippereira8239]

@@rustyberry4405 Personally I have Geophagus Altifrons & Geophagus Tapajos. They get along just fine and even group together even though they are different types. They’ve never had an altercation between the two types but funnily enough the Tapajos had an altercation with eachother but it only happened once since I’ve had them.

[@jacobstromburg5803]

The Oscar starts dancing around when you point at him at 1:37 🤣

[@CichlidBros]

He’s a character for sure

[@lynnducker]

Thank you.. just what I was looking for . My 90 g has 2 sevrums, 6 blue gourami, 2angels and I was waiting to see what else to add.. so thanks!

[@CichlidBros]

Glad I could help!

[@robertlaing5335]

Hey Troy, love your videos! So I just got a 90 gal, standard size and I’m going with the trio you always talk about. I already have 6 EBA in a couple other tanks and love them, so obviously adding them. So what’s your suggestion on quantity of EBA, Severum and leaning towards Topajo since they a bit smaller than the Sveni. But I’ll gladly take your suggestions on both Geos, with EBA and Severum in the 90. Thanks Bro!

[@1rod1hobby28]

Amazing list I have two Oscar’s a breeder pair of blood parrots and a Severums

[@janstolk486]

i love planted tanks and most south american cichlids love digging ! i only have discus .

[@brandonmason6702]

Chilli red Oscars are the best

[@OndraZak]

Hi awesome video as always! Can I keep apistogrammas with rams together in 55 gallon?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep definitely

[@Shane-ps3rn]

African cichlids would be good I keep mbuna and can watch them for hours.the mix of colour you get is quite good to.

[@donnmartin5107]

Great video!Thank you for the combinations Troy.I have 4 Red Spot Severum.I want to add the Electric Blue Acara,and Geophagus.(90Gallon)How many Electric Blue Acara and Geophagus can I safely add?Thank you in advance .

[@AJBAdventures]

Some nice mixes of fish recommendations! Would you say Oscar's and severums can work well in a 120 gallon (4ftx2ftwide) ? Thanks Aaron

[@juliepidd-lv8qx]

Hi I m currently trying to get as much information and knowledge as possible before I decide what type of fish I would like, my question is could it be possible to mix any small dwarf / nano cichlid s ? Rams, appiso s ? And how big does the smallest geo grow to please ?

[@nishadsbakre6316]

I finally got an interesting stocking Severum juvenile Single geophagus altrifon Albino heckelii pair A guianacara An angelfish With Yo-yo loaches Neon blue rainbows All living peacefully!!

[@CichlidBros]

Very nice!

[@adamraggett2170]

Hey, love your videos. I am currently setting up a 100 gallon 5 foot SA tank and wondered if I could get some advice I am looking to stock with 1 Oscar, 1 Blue Acara, 1 Severum, 4 Geophagus, 5 Silver Dollars. Is this going to be okay for that size of tank?

[@rfo23]

I’m planning a 150g setup. 72”x18”x27”. Thinking a couple of acaras, 1 Severum, 5-6 Roseline Sharks, couple of plecos and 6-7 geophagus. Which geophagus would work best? My top 3, in order are Altrifons, Sveni and Red Heat Tapajos.

[@garland4602]

Insight please: Tank Setup - 125 Gallon - Fx6 for filtration - AQUATOP FZ13 FORZA 550 GPH Canister just running bio balls w/ no filtration). - 50% water change every 2 weeks Question is can I add a few more fish. Looking to add a few more tap geos. Currently have 3 and 2 paired off and have been laying eggs. Also have 2 severum, 6 large fin tetras and 15-20 buenos aires tetra. Would like to add 2-3 more geos and 1-2 electric blue acara?

[@andrenewton70]

First let me say I’m a new Subscriber and I love you guys already. I’m a beginner to SA/CA cichlids and I currently have a Red Devil, Jaguar and a Salvini in a 100 gallon. They are all juvenile. Do you all have any recommendations as a 4th fish for my tank? Dovii(Wolf) didn’t work.

[@CichlidBros]

Welcome to the channel! Those are some pretty aggressive cichlids. You could try a Jack Dempsey or Convict

[@andrenewton70]

@@CichlidBros The guy at the local fish shop recommended a Green Terror. I really liked the color on it. What do you think about that? If so do you do recommend the Jack over the Green Terror?

[@NihilusTheGreat]

I saw some of EBA babies at aquarium adventure in Bolingbrook/Woodridge, are they by any chance yours?

[@cordeliaschirer-suter9501]

Your tank looks amazing! We have a question: We have a Jack Dempsey and a Pleco, both bought about 1,5 years ago as juveniles. About a year ago, the Jack started to hide and is very timid. Pleco and Jack ignore each other. Why is our Jack so shy and hides in the whole he made under the wood? There are plants and rock in the tank. 90 gallon tank

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! This video should help! How to Make Your Aquarium Fish Stop Hiding kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZCUe2ZqbbGCmqc

[@marcselby2969]

Hi there. Just found your channel and subscribed. I have a question, it’s not about this video but I thought I would ask on this vid, as it’s your most recent video. It’s about tank mates for Apistogramma’s. Do you think they would be ok with Pearl Gourami’s???? I have been asked if I would like a pair but I already have a male and two females pearls. Don’t want to say yes and it all goes belly up with fighting. Hope to hear your opinion. It’s a 180 litre planted tank. Which I think is about 45 US gallons. I am from the UK and we use litres.

[@that1robot]

I love the driftwood centerpiece in your aquarium. Any tips or recommendations of places to get large driftwood? I’m trying to set up 125 gallon American Cichlid tank and I’m having difficulty finding driftwood pieces large enough for my needs.

[@CichlidBros]

I’ve found mine at local fish stores mostly. Some online stores too but shipping is very expensive

[@that1robot]

@@CichlidBrosthank you!

[@jamesdonaldson6051]

I've just upgraded to a 180g tank and love the idea of stocking the tank with "the trio". How many of each cichlid would you recommend for a tank that size?

[@Bloomcycle]

I had a solo Texas Cichlid for over 10 years.

[@robbetts3971]

You need to get some ropefish. I have them with my severum geo’s and electric blue acara. They are just as cool to watch as the geo’s

[@yashbhoir2087]

If only severums could live with plants ❤

[@Darrell-cm3iz]

My 55 has 2 angels,6 amatitlania nanolutea 2 eba doing great

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome!

[@rmoore4yris]

The Oscar cichlids are too much of hassle. They eat all the food fast and poop like crazy. My favorite(s) cichlids are Red Devil, Green Terror, Firemouth, Jack Dempsey and Ram. Great info here!👍

[@AwwhishekGupta-gm8wi]

Hey there a guy who is new in this space. Will you recommend all above to beginners? If yes then how much gallon tank and how many in no.s? If no,Can you recommend other chichilds who can be put into 75 gallon tank and are not poop freaks?

[@noneofyourbusiness6809]

Kind of off topic since I have African cichlids in a 75 gallon…anyways I’m having nitrate problems, which I find weird since I have no nitrites or ammonia when I test the water. I use seachem prime with every water change and it says that it detoxifies nitrates. What’s the easiest way besides plants to get rid of nitrates. I just ordered matrix as well. Thanks

[@jamesjohnson8661]

Prime may detoxify nitrates, but it won't make the test results any different. Have you tested your tap water? Lots of it is high in nitrates straight from the faucet.

[@abdulbasitkhan5008]

I have aggresive green terror which fish should be best ?

[@Internationalfatherstalkshow]

Hello, I have a 29 community, 30 community, 75 ebuma. Getting ready to set up 90 rectangle. I would like Africans again, but after watching this video I want to go in and direction. What would you recommend?

[@alfieburgess2930]

I’ve got a tank with Oscar, Jack Dempsey, 2 blue acara, Geophagus, 2 Severum, bichir, 6 rainbow fish, 6 red phantom tetra and they’re all great together

[@Marcus-zr4it]

How big is your tank bru ?

[@VicentePhillips-pp1te]

Hey if you have the time I have a few questions about my South American cichlid tank, I have 2 Severum, 2 Geophagus (smaller species), an electric blue acarra, and a few wild cards I threw in there (one pleco and 2 pictus catfish)

[@VicentePhillips-pp1te]

It’s a 75 gallon but everything is full grown except the Severum I think they’re about half the size they will end up being.

[@VicentePhillips-pp1te]

And I am aware the pleco will eventually out grow the tank, I have plans in the future of either giving him to a local fish shop or putting him in a much larger tank

[@VicentePhillips-pp1te]

Anyways, please reach out lol I can send some videos of the tank so you have a better idea of what’s going on but I love the videos man ur awesome, I trust you know a lot more that I do😭

[@sambonedallas]

Try an electric blue jack dempsey for a non aggressive cichlid, I’ve kept them with everything from Oscar’s to guppies for over a decade

[@CichlidBros]

Central American so not on this list

[@ganesenthoplan7391]

Can I do change every 2 months in my 4ft aquarium with canister filter because my water is clean .I have only one fish in my fish tank thanking you in advanced

[@DrSnibblets]

I wish I could get a stingray but I live in Texas and it’s illegal to own them here any advice? Is there a way around it like permits or license?

[@brianagius5937]

I have 4 red spot severums in an 86 gallon tank os that ok?

[@theanonymous2316]

I was waiting for red jwel cichlid 😢. Love from India 🇮🇳❤

[@CichlidBros]

Jewels are from Africa, so would be on a separate list

[@michaelbarkwell4035]

What about keeping various species of Geos together?

[@CichlidBros]

Definitely works in a lot of cases

[@AM-xf8mu]

In a 55 gallon, is it possible to house a 2/3 severums. If so how much do you think would be the most?

[@CichlidBros]

It would be a really tight fit once they’re adults. I typically recommend one for a 75 gallon, and larger for more than one

[@HA-zx2pk]

I'm building a indoor south American cichlid pond in my sun/living room. Already know the algae growth will be terrible so I plan to have a pleco. Either a sailfin, Brazilian, or a sunshine pleco. I want to stock the 180gal pond and I plan to end on an Oscar in the community. I wanted to ask how I can do it or if there isn't enough space for this variety to be comfortable Here is my current dream list not in order of when I am buying them: Tiger Oscar, One of three plecos, Silver dollars (maybe this is where schooling numbers confuse me) Gold Severum, Electric Blue Acara, Maybe some geophagus clown loaches... as much excitement as I have for the Jack Dempsey, I keep talking myself out of ever putting it in my pond there have been too many comments on them being awful against an oscar. Is it doable to do all of this list proportionately to have variety yet also no overcrowding. The aquascape will be sand, rock, drift wood, and artificial plants. Can I please have help stocking this? I've been keeping fish tanks for close to a decade now, but the last tank I had of this nature was an african cichlid tank consisting strictly of a peacock cichlid, Danios, 2 snails, and a nice amount of guppies (yes they bred, yes they were food.) All of which were healthy and happy aside from a periodic guppy. In a gigantic tank I housed a tigershovel nose cat, blue cat, oscar, and a bass (they all respected each other and never messed with each other) I kept all of these massive tanks until I moved into an apartment for work... then an aquarist friend of mine bought them from me... last I checked he had upgraded their tanks and finally separated the oscar. Now that I am no longer in an apartment and in a permanent place I wanted to do another big set up. It's just been a few years of 20gal-less so I don't want to get too carried away with stocking, but I am very excited for this build. How do I appropriately stock from this list?

[@jdssurf]

Hey bro, are Oscars still super bad with HIH? Is it really about just water quality and avoiding live food? How to prevent it?

[@CichlidBros]

I would definitely say water quality is the main cause. HITH usually occurs with tanks that aren’t properly maintained and have high nitrates for long periods

[@jdssurf]

@@CichlidBros Yeah I believe that too, but dang even with regular water tests and good food I've had uarus and others still get it, makes me insane

[@parthabp2862]

Hey !! Im frm india ...i really love African chiclids and i wanna keep them in a 50 Gallon tank ...cn i add peacock with mbuna or shuld it be only mbuna or only peacock?? Im planning to keep some 10 peacocks and 2 -3 mbuna (2-3 inch) like jalo reef ..can i do this or cn u lemme know what suits well and better for fish

[@mauriziosala9956]

What about keyhole (c.maronii) cichlid

[@keithsmith9716]

can you help me with 3 different cichlids that can co exist in 75 gallon and where to purchase

[@mikefisher4834]

The only time I do a solo fish is if it’s so aggressive that it kills anything I put in the tank with it I do have an Oscar who’s solo right now but only because his mate died I will eventually have more fish with him because he’s not super aggressive🐠💙🔥

[@kevinw3016]

I have a tiger Oscar, jack Dempsey, turquoise Severum, firemouth cichlid, blue Acara, and a gold nugget in a 180 gallon. The blue acara would pick on the Oscar but now he’s bigger and more powerful so he backs off now 😂

[@eyeballhair]

I have some geos but they’re growing so slow! Is this normal?

[@CichlidBros]

Geos do grow pretty slow

[@ElChinoZ15]

I’m setting up a 75 gallon living room display tank. Gonna go with the trio you mentioned. 1 Severum 1 EBA 3 geo tapajos 8-10 Colombian tetras Do you think I could add like 3 synodontis lucipinnis in there as well? Or maybe just a couple of bushy nose plecos? Thanks! Love the content!

[@tjackson1761]

Chocolates are the best imo.

[@onlywei]

Are oscars more popular than angelfish and discus?

[@CichlidBros]

If you surveyed our community, then yes

[@pravisharma1]

Hi, i am from India. Please guide me for food also

[@DGGuaglianone]

Comment for algorithm

[@CichlidBros]

Haha thanks

[@JasPlun]

Great looking tank, All of your fish look great, I hate Oscars though to me they are the ugliest fish ever! I am a Jack Dempsey fan myself.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! To each their own. I love Oscars

[@JasPlun]

@@CichlidBros I do like the Lemon Oscars and the Platinums they look awesome. I was a African Cichlid keeper for years and just got into South American cichlids. I still have a 75g with Africans though and got one hell of a good breeding pair of Gold Calvus they breed like Convicts lol!

[@husseinjan7]

never have luck with angel fish they're almost always too aggressive

[@SADUTTAQUARIUM]

Mencari refrensi aquarium cichlid disini 😇 11:21

[@meechhicks5313]

You can sell me some of them acaras

[@CichlidBros]

DM us on Instagram if you’re in the Chicagoland area

[@user-nq7pc7ei3m]

I disagree about the oscar they should be kept in a 125 minimum thats a potential 14" foot bro

[@CichlidBros]

That’s what I said bro

[@BellaBeeBaby]

Can I ask you a question on Instagram?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep

[@Vondrommels]

I there really no way to put severums insiders A planted tank? I really want severums but I also want Some plants in there. Your channels rock Guys! 🫶🏻

[@CichlidBros]

I’ve found severums to eat any/all plants I’ve tried. Eventually they’ll go after anything. Thanks for watching!