Thinking of setting up an aquarium for African cichlids? Not surprising: from the Rift Lake species from Lake Malawi, Victoria, and Tanganyika, or the West-African river types, Africa has a lot to offer. African cichlids are highly colorful and give you an amazing opportunity to set up a biotope aquarium.
Not all African cichlids are made equal. There’s a lot of variation between species in terms of size, color and temperament. In this article, we discuss 5 of our favorite African species from the Rift Lakes and beyond!
What’s up with all those African cichlids?
Although the Americas have a good bunch, the undisputed winner when it comes to cichlid variety is Africa. Each corner of the continent boasts at least a few species, with the West-African river systems in particular being a bit of a hotspot. Still, the West is nothing compared to the Rift Lakes. Lake Malawi, Victoria, and Tanganyika together contain over 1,000 described cichlid species. How?
The answer is adaptive radiation. This evolutionary principle refers to situations where one or a few ancestral species diversify very quickly, leading to a veritable explosion of variety. When we say very quickly, we mean tens to hundreds of thousands or even millions of years, but still!
Basically, cichlids are almost the only type of fish to exist in the shallows and rocky areas of the African Rift Lakes: massive and diverse bodies of water formed by the Earth’s tectonic movements. Over time, natural selection and occasional hybridization allowed them to evolve to fill every possible ecological niche, from open-water predators to algae eaters to a genus that survives by eating the scales of other cichlids.
All this makes African Rift Lake cichlids an aquarist’s dream. It’s not surprising there are so many Rift Lake tanks out there despite their somewhat challenging requirements (notably the hard, alkaline water). So many fish. So many colors. So many fascinating behaviors. And so many ways to combine them! What more could we ask for?
Did you know? As is so often the case with the most beautiful fish, Rift Lake cichlids are in danger as a result of habitat loss due to human activity. Pollution is a big factor, but many species of Lake Victoria cichlids have also succumbed to an introduced predator: the Nile perch.
Devastating effects of exotic Nile perch invasion in L.Victoria
African cichlids: Rift Lakes
Lake Malawi cichlids
💡 Terms you might come across:
- Mbuna: meaning “rockfish” in Malawi’s native Tonga language. Refers to fish that live along the rocky shores of Lake Malawi.
- Utaka: kind of the opposite of an mbuna. Inhabits the lake’s open waters and tends to feed on zooplankton.
- Hap: basically any fish from the tribe Haplochromini that doesn’t fall in the above categories. Usually open-water predators.
Peacock cichlid (Aulonocara sp.)
Also known as the blue peacock or emperor cichlid, Aulonocara nyassae is a rather spectacular way to kick off this list. The wild form is appreciated by cichlid enthusiasts for its dazzling, metallic-blue coloration, but there are also hybrids out there that were crossed with other Malawi cichlids to create crazy color morphs. Look for ‘Orange Blotch’ or ‘Five Color’ and prepare to have your mind blown!
The genus Aulonocara, known as the peacock cichlids, is the focal point of many an African cichlid tank. The blue peacock is no exception. This sand-sifting variety is naturally found in southern Lake Malawi, where it lives in small groups usually led by one breeding male. It doesn’t like the shallows and is only found at depths of 65 ft or more.
The blue peacock cichlid reaches a maximum size of around 6” and can be kept in aquariums of 55 gallons and up. As far as African cichlids go, this species is on the peaceful end of the spectrum, making it a suitable choice for combining with other Malawi cichlids.
Tip: Keep in mind that only male peacock cichlids display the typical spectacular coloration. Unfortunately, you should avoid combining multiple males to prevent territorial squabbles.
| Type | Hap (though often considered their own category: peacocks) |
| Max. length | 6″ |
| Min. tank size | 55 gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Electric yellow cichlid or yellow lab (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Another aquarium favorite that naturally occurs in Lake Malawi is the appropriately named electric yellow cichlid. Also sometimes known as the yellow lab, a reference to its scientific name, this fish is naturally found on the western shores of the lake at depths of at least 32 ft. It feeds on small invertebrates like crustaceans.
The electric yellow cichlid is a popular choice among beginning African cichlid keepers due to its relatively peaceful nature. As it’s on the small side for a Rift Lake cichlid, growing to a maximum length of only around 4″, it makes a good choice for aquariums of 40 gallons and up.
Keep these fish in harems to avoid overly aggressive spawning attempts and territorial displays on the part of the males. Other peaceful cichlids work well to finish the community. You can find more information about this striking cichlid in the full electric yellow cichlid care guide!
| Type | Mbuna |
| Max. length | 4″ |
| Min. tank size | 40 gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Electric blue cichlid or electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri)
Though not actually that closely related to the electric yellow cichlid, the electric blue (Sciaenochromis fryeri) certainly does make a good match with it when it comes to color. Shimmering, metallic blues and yellows… what more could we ask for? The two can actually be kept together, provided they’re given enough space.
Males of this medium-sized (up to 8”) Malawi cichlid show stunning neon blue coloration when they’re in the right ‘mood’, making them a stunning addition to your Rift Lake aquarium as long as tankmates are chosen carefully.
Given their size, electric blue cichlids are best suited to aquariums of 80 gallons (long) and up. Although they’re not known for being exceptionally aggressive, it’s recommended to keep them in harems with only one male, as they do take their territory rather seriously.
| Type | Hap |
| Max. length | 8″ |
| Min. tank size | 80 gallons |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
Venustus cichlid or giraffe cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus)
A relatively large species, reaching a maximum length of around 10”, the Venustus cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus) is naturally found in Lake Malawi. Its neon yellow to blue coloration and spotted “giraffe” pattern make this quite a spectacular fish to look at, particularly when the males are showing off during spawning time.
Venustus cichlids are not the best choice for the general community aquarium, as they’re lethal ambush hunters that will catch and kill their tankmates if they get the chance. Anything small enough to fit in the mouth of a Venustus will inevitably disappear in there. If you stick to only one fish and pick similarly large species to accompany yours, however, it’s unlikely to cause trouble.
This is a fish eater by nature. Although most will take pellets, regular servings of shelled shrimp and whitebait wouldn’t be a bad idea. No need to feed live food, which always comes with a risk of parasites; avoid goldfish especially, as they contain large amounts of an antinutrient called thiaminase.
| Type | Hap |
| Max. length | 10″ |
| Min. tank size | 125 gallons |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
Cobalt blue zebra cichlid or blue cobalt cichlid (Maylandia callainos)
Native to rocky areas in northern Lake Malawi, the cobalt blue zebra cichlid isn’t really among the more appropriately named fish on today’s list. Its coloration is more pastel than cobalt, and it certainly doesn’t sport zebra stripes, but that’s okay: it’s still beautiful to look at, especially the males.
This cichlid was long scientifically known as Pseudotropheus callainos and is still sometimes referred to as such in the hobby, even though its correct current name is Maylandia callainos (ah, the woes of fish taxonomy!). The species is omnivorous but mostly eats algae, which it scrapes from the rocks along with all sorts of freshwater plankton.
The blue cobalt cichlid grows to a maximum length of around 5.5″, but is known to be quite feisty, particularly toward its own kind. Keep yours with Mbuna that can hold their own, and add multiple females for each male to help disperse aggression.
| Type | Mbuna |
| Max. length | 5.5″ |
| Min. tank size | 55 gallons |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
Lake Tanganyika cichlids
💡 Terms you might come across:
- Shellie: Short for “shell dweller”, referring to several genera of small cichlids that make the shells of dead snails their homes.
- Fairy: A subgroup in the genus Neolamprologus, also known as the Brichardi complex. Recognize them by their lyre-shaped tails.
- Compressiceps: Strongly laterally compressed predatory cichlids with long, sloping faces, such as those of the genus Altolamprologus.
Frontosa cichlid or humphead cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa)
Also known as humphead cichlids due to their rather pronounced foreheads (which is especially noticeable in the males), Frontosa cichlids from the genus Cyphotilapia may just be the most well-known species from Lake Tanganyika. Those vertical black and white bands are hard to miss!
You may notice this species’ similarity to a popular Central American species, the convict cichlid, which is notorious for terrorizing its tankmates. If you like a stripey fish but don’t want to deal with convicts’ aggression, Frontosas may be just the thing for you. True, they’ll happily devour any significantly smaller fish, but they’ll do fine with similarly sized Tanganyika species.
At a maximum length of up to 12”, this is the largest fish on the list. It’ll generally make good use of this advantage in order to take rule of the aquarium. Don’t keep it in a small tank: Frontosas naturally occur in very large groups and appreciates some company of their own kind in the aquarium as well.
| Type | Frontosas (forms its own category) |
| Max. length | 12″ |
| Min. tank size | 150 gallons |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
Princess cichlid or Brichardi (Neolamprologus brichardi)
How elegant is this cichlid, with its golden body, whiteish-blue rimmed fins and elongated lyretail? When it first appeared in the trade, Neolamprologus brichardi was introduced as “Princess of Burundi”—a dramatic denomination, but an appropriate one. It’s been a fishkeeping classic ever since.
The princess cichlid makes a nice choice for aquarists just starting out in the world of Rift Lake cichlids. It’s naturally found throughout Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits the rocky shores. You’d do well to offer yours a similarly rocky environment (with a sandy substrate) in the aquarium. It just loves caves and tunnels, including for spawning.
These cichlids are hardy and easy to keep, but if you want to prevent headaches, go for a single-species set-up. They really are little princesses and will take a diva attitude towards tankmates unless there’s a serious amount of of space to go around. They’re more tolerant toward their own family groups, which often span multiple generations.
| Type | Fairy (so whimsical!) |
| Max. length | 4″ |
| Min. tank size | 40 gallons (one pair) |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
Shell-dwelling cichlid (Lamprologus ocellatus)
Say hello to the author’s personal favorite Rift Lake cichlid! Lamprologus ocellatus, a “shellie”, is the definition of small but mighty. It measures a measly 2.5″ (the females stay even smaller) and looks distinctly froggy with those bulging eyes, but this cichlid will fight tooth and nail to defend its home.
That home, by the way (as the term “shell dweller” suggests) is a shell. Ocellatus cichlids naturally inhabit open, sandy areas of Lake Tangangyika, where the only shelter is provided by the occasional rock or plant and a scattering of empty snail shells of the species Neothauma tanganyicense.
I adore these shell dwellers because they offer a fantastic—and pretty easy—opportunity to dip one’s toes into the world of biotope aquariums. You can keep a trio (1M 2F) in a single-species 10-gallon, so not a lot of space needed.
Just fill the tank with a sandy substrate, a few smooth rocks, and plenty of large empty shells to be able to enjoy these cichlids’ fascinating natural behaviors.
Did you know? Neothauma shells would be the most realistic option, but aquarists have found the empty escargot shells for sale in some gourmet stores and online work wonderfully too.
| Type | Shellie |
| Max. length | 2.5″ |
| Min. tank size | 10 gallons |
| Temperament | A little territorial |
White-spotted cichlid (Tropheus duboisi)
How cool do the juveniles of Tropheus duboisi, aptly known as the white-spotted cichlid, look when they shoal together?! Their stunning polka-dotted pattern unfortunately doesn’t last, but the adult coloration (steel-blue head, pale band behind the head, and charcoal body) gives us no reason for complaint either.
White-spotted cichlids are naturally found in rocky, relatively deep waters in Lake Tanganyika. Here, they stick to a mostly vegetarian diet, scraping algae off the rocks. Like various other fish, these cichlids have found an ingenious way to protect their young: mom keeps her babies in her mouth until they’re large enough to strike out on their own.
This is one of the most popular Tanganyika cichlids, but it’s important to note that it’s not necessarily a beginner fish. It’s not just sensitive to water quality swings, but also an awkward mix of gregarious and territorial.
White-spotted cichlids are best kept in large groups of at least 15 fish to disperse aggression. This results in a significant bioload, so going for a tank of 100 gallons or more is a good idea; all fish must be added at the same time and you can’t adjust the group later, as any tweaks can cause them to turn on each other.
| Type | Tropheus (forms its own category) |
| Max. length | 4.5″ |
| Min. tank size | 100 gallons |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
Pearly Lamprologus (Altolamprologus calvus)
If you’re thinking the pearly Lamprologus (whose genus name nowadays is actually Altolamprologus) looks like a powerful predator, you’re… wrong. Rather than using its impressively big mouth to gulp down other fish, it’s actually a benthivorous species. It finds its favorite food, small crustaceans and similar bugs, by digging through cracks in the rocky substrate.
This compressiceps-type cichlid (so named for its laterally compressed body shape) is appreciated by aquarists for its even temper. Although it’s territorial, it will leave tankmates that are on the larger side alone—except if they’re the ones to start a squabble. Avoid overly boisterous fish!
Keep in mind that pearly Lamprologus are known to be sensitive to low water quality. Stay on top of those water changes for the best result, and consider a different species if this is your first aquarium. Be sure to feed frozen or live foods: these divas don’t tend to have much of a taste for prepared aquarium fare.
| Type | Compressiceps |
| Max. length | 5″ |
| Min. tank size | 40 gallons |
| Temperament | Shy but territorial |
West-African river cichlids
Kribensis cichlid or rainbow krib (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
Although the Rift Lake cichlids are the most popular African cichlids, they’re far from the only ones. Other areas on the African continent also contain a wealth of cichlid species. In West Africa, for example, you’ll find Pelvicachromis pulcher. Better known as the Kribensis cichlid, this one has been a staple fish for as long as anyone can remember.
Unlike the other species on this list, the Kribensis cichlid can be kept in various types of community aquariums. It doesn’t require hard and basic water like its Rift Lake cousins and is an easy species to keep in aquariums of 20 gallons and up—as long as you keep its feisty nature in mind.
Although Kribensis are pretty cranky during breeding season, their reproductive behaviors (like the female’s reddening belly, the male’s mating dance, and their careful herding of tiny fry) are fascinating to watch. Want to know more? Head over to our full Kribensis care guide.
| Max. length | 4″ |
| Min. tank size | 20 gallons |
| Temperament | Aggressive when spawning |
Blood-red jewel cichlid (Hemichromis lifalili)
Africa truly is the continent that keeps on giving when it comes to cichlids! Think Rift Lakes are overdone and West Africa is boring? Rest assured: there’s still more. How about the jewel cichlids of the genus Hemichromis, mostly native to the Congo Basin, for example? We particularly like the blood-red jewel cichlid, H. lifalili.
Now, although it’s very pretty, we do have to warn you: this species can be a real terror, so it’s not suitable for beginners. When it’s spawning, it can reach aggression levels that would leave the aforementioned Kribensis blushing! Fast tankmates like Congo tetras are a must, as is breaking the lines of sight in the tank.
Because this is another creek/stream cichlid, not a Rift Lake one, it likes relatively soft and acidic water. A Congo Basin biotope can include plants (we like Crinum calamistratum, the African onion plant), branches, leaf litter, and some tannins for a darker look that will really make this cichlid’s reds and blues pop.
| Max. length | 4″ |
| Min. tank size | 40 gallons |
| Temperament | Very aggressive when spawning |
Need help?
A Rift Lake aquarium bustling with gem-like, colorful cichlids is a real sight to see. As we’ve seen here, though, it’s not always easy to successfully set up one of these biotope tanks: finding the right species to combine and getting the water values right can be challenging.
If you need help, you’re in the right place! Simply contact us here and we’ll see what we can do to realize your dream aquarium.
Sources & further reading
Givnish, T. J. (2015). Adaptive radiation versus ‘radiation’ and ‘explosive diversification’: why conceptual distinctions are fundamental to understanding evolution. New Phytologist, 207(2), 297-303.
Konings, A. D. (1995). A review of the sand-dwelling species of the genus Aulonocara, with the description of three new species. The Cichlids Yearbook, 5, 26-36.
Palagi, E., Barbuti, R., & Norscia, I. (2020). Aquarium cichlid fish Tropheus moorii flexibly adjust hierarchy when tank fish species composition changes: A pilot study. THE JOURNAL OF ZOO AND AQUARIUM RESEARCH, 86-93.
Yuma, M. (1994). Food habits and foraging behaviour of benthivorous cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 39(2), 173-182.
