CichlidThe best gear for cichlids, picked by keepers
From big, personable Oscars and South American favorites to Malawi mbuna and Central American bruisers. Find the right tank, filter and food, learn how to keep them well, and show off your tank.
Best equipment, food and tanks for cichlids
Our short lists of what actually works in cichlid tanks. Every pick links to Amazon so you can compare prices and reviews.
Everything you get with Cichlid Nation
New to cichlids or keeping for decades, here is what is waiting for you.
Guides for every stage of the hobby
Brand new, or setting up tank number five, these guides get you to a healthy, colorful tank. Every guide ends with the gear you actually need.
Cycling a tank (the nitrogen cycle)
The one step that keeps new fish alive. What the nitrogen cycle is and how to do a fishless cycle.
Read the guide →Choosing a tank
Why bigger is easier, the right size for each kind of cichlid, and what to plan before you buy.
Read the guide →African vs American cichlids
Rift lake color or Amazon personality? How water, diet and temperament differ, and why mixing them rarely works.
Read the guide →Water parameters
The numbers that matter, a cheat sheet for each cichlid type, and a water change routine that works.
Read the guide →Your first fish
Hardy, colorful starter species for every tank type, and how to bring them home the right way.
Read the guide →Compatibility
The simple rules for mixing species, cutting aggression and choosing tank mates that will not become dinner.
Read the guide →Species, oddballs and breeding
Oscars, fire eels, bichirs, puffers, plecos and how to breed cichlids, angelfish and more.
Oscar care
South America’s big personality. Tank size, food and tank mates for healthy oscars.
Read the guide
Feeding cichlids
Match the food to the fish, feed less than you think, and keep mbuna away from heavy protein.
Read the guide
Stocking a tank
Why the inch per gallon rule fails cichlids, plus sample plans by tank size.
Read the guide
Aquascaping and rockwork
Stable rock, the right sand and plants that survive digging fish.
Read the guide
Breeding cichlids
Substrate spawners, mouthbrooders and how to raise your first batch of fry.
Read the guide
Breeding African cichlids
Ratios, holding females and raising the fry of Malawi mouthbrooders.
Read the guide
Breeding angelfish
From a bonded pair to free swimming fry. Slates, eggs and baby brine shrimp.
Read the guide
Fire eel care
A stunning spiny eel that grows big. Sand, a tight lid and a large tank are a must.
Read the guide
Bichir care
Prehistoric looking, air breathing predators. Big footprint, tight lid, meaty food.
Read the guide
Freshwater puffers
Pea puffers to Fahaka. Which puffers are truly freshwater and how to keep their teeth trim.
Read the guide
Pleco care
Not just algae eaters. Which plecos stay small and what they really eat.
Read the guide
Common diseases
Spot problems early. Signs, likely causes and first steps for the illnesses keepers see most.
Read the guideTop Picks for Cichlid Keepers
The gear we would buy again. We link to Amazon so you can check current prices.
Canister filter
Moves lots of water and holds lots of media. The workhorse of most cichlid tanks.
Check price on Amazon
Adjustable aquarium heater
Pick one sized to your tank, or two smaller ones for safety.
Check price on AmazonLiquid master test kit
Liquid tests read ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH far better than strips.
Check price on AmazonCichlid staple pellets
A balanced daily food. Sinking pellets reach shy fish too.
Check price on AmazonLarge cichlid pellets
Big bites for big mouths, with less mess than frozen foods.
Check price on Amazon
Spirulina cichlid food
A veggie heavy diet helps prevent bloat in Malawi rock dwellers.
Check price on Amazon
Holey limestone rock
Lots of caves and it gently buffers hardness for Malawi and Tanganyika fish.
Check price on AmazonLED aquarium light
Look for a dimmer and timer so fish get a steady day and night.
Check price on AmazonWhat do you keep?
Pick a group and we will point you to the best guides for it.
Vote for your favorite fish creator
The cichlid world runs on great creators. These are our launch picks, real channels the community loves. Votes start at zero and every vote is real, one per person per day.
Prime Time Aquatics
Jason and family keep a big freshwater fish room with a strong focus on cichlids, including shell dwellers, explained with a biology background.
Be the first to voteAquarium Co-Op
Cory McElroy teaches fish care, live plants and practical hobby skills for keepers at every level.
Be the first to voteRachel O’Leary
Species profiles and breeding guides for nano and rare freshwater fish from a long time breeder.
Be the first to voteSee the full leaderboard Nominate a creator
Fish influencers and creators: get your spotlight
Apply for a free Creator Spotlight page with your channel, podcast and socials. We review every application by hand and nothing goes live until you approve it.
Create your tank profile
Show off your tank and share your setup. Every member gets a free tank profile with photos, tank size, fish list, filter, lights and food, plus a list of your favorite products so friends can see exactly what you use.
- Your tank photos and full stock list
- Your gear and favorite products, in one link
- Weekly care tips for the fish you keep
Two tiger oscars, sand, driftwood and a lot of water changes.
Setups to inspire yours
Example setups for three popular tanks, each linked to the guide that shows you how. Member tanks appear here once profiles open.
Rocky mbuna tank
55 to 75 gallon Lake Malawi mbuna setup
See the rockwork guide →Oscar tank
75 to 125 gallon oscar setup with sand and driftwood
See the oscar care guide →
Dwarf cichlid tank
20 to 29 gallon planted Apistogramma setup with leaf litter
See the Apistogramma profile →Create your tank profile
Photos, tank size, stock list and the gear you use.
Create your tank profile →Real questions. Real keepers. Fast answers.
Ask anything, from cloudy water to who gets along. Experienced keepers read every question, and the best answers make it into our guides.
Ask a question Ask Ozzy now
Meet Ozzy
Ozzy is our resident oscar. Tap him in the corner of any page for quick answers on cycling, tank size, water and tank mates.
Find a great local fish store
Independent aquarium stores with healthy fish and staff who know cichlids. Store owners can add a free listing or apply for a Featured Store spot.
Find a store Add your store
Started by a fishkeeper, for fishkeepers
Cichlid Nation was founded by Fred Pesce, a lifelong fishkeeper. His last name even means fish in Italian. The idea is simple: give cichlid people one home to learn, share their tanks and celebrate the creators who make the hobby fun.
Our storyQuestions
What is Cichlid Nation?
A free home for cichlid and freshwater keepers: care guides, species profiles, honest gear picks, tank profiles, a fish store finder and a vote for the best fish creators. Founded by lifelong fishkeeper Fred Pesce.
Is Cichlid Nation free?
Yes. Reading guides, voting and creating a tank profile are free.
I am brand new. Where do I start?
Start with How to Cycle a Fish Tank, then Choosing Your First Cichlid Tank. Or tap Ozzy, our oscar, in the corner to ask a quick question.
What fish does Cichlid Nation cover?
African, South American and Central American cichlids, plus livebearers, dwarf cichlids and oddballs like fire eels, bichirs, puffers and plecos. Freshwater only.
Can creators and fish stores join?
Yes. Creators can apply for a free spotlight page and stores can add a free listing or apply for a Featured Store spot.
Stories, ideas and lessons from the fish room
Why Oscars Are Called the Dogs of the Aquarium
They know your face, beg at the glass and redecorate on their own schedule.
Read the post
Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria: The African Cichlid Lakes Explained
Mbuna, peacocks, frontosa and shell dwellers: which lake is which, and why it matters.
Read the post
7 Mistakes New Cichlid Keepers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
From skipping the cycle to the tank that is too small. Easy fixes for each.
Read the post
Planning a Central American Cichlid Tank: Convicts, Firemouths and Jack Dempseys
Big color and big attitude. How to plan a tank for Central Americans.
Read the postAdvertise to cichlid keepers
Leaderboard, sidebar and Featured Store spots for brands and fish stores.
Advertise with us