Compatibility of feisty cichlids with other aquarium inhabitants

If you enjoy bright, active aquariums, you may already be aware of cichlids. These fish, who are well-known for their vivid colors and bold personalities, can add a lot of energy to your tank. But because of their acerbic nature, people frequently wonder how well they get along with other fish. Because cichlids have their own set of social norms and behaviors, this can get a little complicated.

It takes some preparation to know how to combine cichlids with other aquarium inhabitants. These fish can be highly territorial and even aggressive at times, which could cause problems in a communal tank. When selecting tankmates, it is imperative to take into account their unique requirements and habits. While bad decisions could cause tension or hostility, the correct combinations can result in a peaceful aquarium.

This post will discuss which fish species are best avoided and which ones get along better with cichlids. We’ll also provide advice on how to set up an aquarium that is healthy and balanced. A calm and lively aquatic community can be achieved by properly handling cichlid compatibility, whether you’re setting up a new tank or maintaining an old one.

Good neighbors

You should become familiar with the traits of this species before adding cichlids to an artificial reservoir. Because of their complicated personalities, not all species can coexist peacefully with fish.

The majority of aquarists are certain that cichlids will only get along with members of three species:

Ray-finned fish can’t overcome eels, so the pets will just divide the area to avoid crossing paths.

However, catfish can make excellent neighbors for cichlid fish. Catfish swimming in the bottom layer of the reservoir do not bother cichlids, which prefer the upper and middle layers.

Unsuitable cohabitants

Many fish species do not get along with cichlids because they are thought of as predatory fish. The majority of cichlid species do not get along with slow-moving, tiny neighbors.

Fish with ray fins cannot be added to:

  • cockerels;
  • swordtails;
  • goldfish;
  • guppies;
  • mollies;
  • rainbowfish;
  • danio rerio;
  • gourami;
  • telescope;
  • pecilia.

Fish aggression and even death can result from strangers showing up in their aquarium.

Even within a single species, conflict can occasionally occur. Male parrots, for instance, fight among themselves and only stop when the leader eliminates the other males. They do not tolerate rivalry. As a result, housing multiple male parrots together is not possible.

Certain cichlid subspecies are only able to live with other members of their own species. While the Queen of Tanganyika is not as violent, she will not put up with outsiders invading her domain. Pseudotropheus is prepared to fight anyone who stands in his way. As a result, it’s advised to keep them apart in flocks of multiple females and one male.

Relatively compatible species

The region to which cichlids belong determines their characteristics. The ways that natives from various areas interact with their neighbors vary. There are people who are able to live in harmony with one another in an artificial reservoir.

The compatibility of certain cichlid representatives with other fish species is displayed in the table:

Subspecies name Suitable neighbors
Cichlazoma severum Astronotus, catfish
Cichlazoma meeki Scalaria, acaras
Cichlazoma-bees (eight-striped) Plextomus, black pacu, brocade pterygoplichthys
Astronotus Proportionate representatives of ray-finned fish
Princess of Burundi Non-aggressive relatives
Melanochromis Johan Lemon cichlid, hummingbird, lombardi, ocellaris
Chromis-beautiful Acaras, bees
Scalaria Mecenos, molly, pecilia, catfish
Auratus "Golden Parrot" Pseudotropheus, fast-swimming fish that prefer the upper layers of the aquarium
Teraps (Japanese Parrot) Cichlosoma Meeki, Congo, Barb, Mettinis, Acara
Apistrogramma Ramirezi Neons, swordtails, guppies, pecilia, rhodostomus
Blue dolphin African catfish, frontosa

As long as they are raised with other fish from an early age, all varieties of cichlids get along fairly well. Even the most combative fish can be housed together with seemingly inappropriate neighbors in these situations. However, only young people can do this. Fish that are older tend to be more aggressive and hostile toward outsiders.

Factors that improve coexistence:

You must arrange for the proper care of cichlids and provide them with comfortable living conditions in order to lessen aggression.

The following guidelines will facilitate better coexistence between members of various species:

  1. Selecting a container whose volume will correspond to the size of the flock. Overcrowding can lead to the death of herbivorous species.
  2. Timely feeding with a variety of food. Due to lack of food, hungry predators will attack weaker fish.
  3. Proper decoration of the aquarium, dividing it into zones with a sufficient number of grottoes and shelters. This will help to avoid territorial wars.

It is best to purchase fry that are roughly the same age and to settle multiple fish species in one aquarium at the same time. When cichlids grow up around other pets, they become accustomed to them and don’t bother them.

Adding juvenile fish to adult fish is not a good idea. Younger friends will be terrorized by older ones all the time, interfering with their daily lives. It is advised to add fish to cichlids that are at least as big as them and have just as much fighting spirit.

Make sure you are familiar with the characteristics of the species you are purchasing when purchasing cichlids. And make sure the fish get along before adding neighbors to them.

Cichlid Species Compatibility with Other Fish
Oscar Can be aggressive; best with robust, similarly sized fish like catfish and larger tetras.
Green Terror May bully smaller or less aggressive fish; good with large, active species and other cichlids.
Jaguar Cichlid Highly territorial; works best with other large, assertive fish. Avoid small or peaceful species.
African Cichlid Generally aggressive; should be kept with other African cichlids or large, sturdy fish that can hold their own.
Midnight Cichlid Can be aggressive; better with similarly sized or larger fish, avoid peaceful or smaller tankmates.

Compatibility between feisty cichlids and other fish in your aquarium can be a bit of a balancing act. Since these fish have a reputation for having strong personalities and being territorial, they occasionally get into conflict with more peaceful species. To establish a peaceful aquatic environment, it is essential to comprehend their behavior and make intelligent tank mate selections.

Strong-willed cichlid fish tend to thrive in groups with other lively, robust fish. Alongside these aggressive swimmers, species that can hold their own and don’t give in easily are more likely to prosper. This does not imply that you have to settle for one of the few options available to you; with thoughtful design, you can accommodate your cichlids and their tank mates in a lively community tank.

It’s crucial to take your aquarium’s dimensions and design into account. Giving each fish a separate area can help decrease aggression by providing an abundance of hiding places and territories. The harmony of your aquatic inhabitants can be greatly improved by adding plants, rocks, and other ornaments.

You can create a vibrant and eye-catching aquarium by taking the time to comprehend the unique needs and behaviors of your cichlids and selecting companions that are compatible with them. Even the most spirited cichlids can live in harmony and give your underwater environment a dynamic edge if you take the proper attitude.

Although they are difficult to pair with other fish and plants because of their aggressive nature, feisty cichlids can bring vibrant energy to an aquarium. It’s critical to comprehend their territorial behavior and select tank mates who can put up with their assertive nature in order to create a harmonious tank. You can keep an aquatic community healthy and balanced by carefully choosing species that get along with one another and by giving them plenty of room and hiding places.

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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