So you have a 55-gallon tank and are considering building out a cichlid aquarium. With a tank this size, there are plenty of different types of cichlids you can successfully care for. Before we dig into some of these fascinating fish, hobbyists should be well-versed in the intricacies of keeping cichlids. These fish can be quite aggressive, and there are key differences between species.
Cichlid Selection
First bit of advice would be to decide which types of African cichlids you would like to keep. Mbuna while very colorful can be extremely territorial and require extensive rock work and caves. My experience is peacocks and haps are generally less aggressive but tend to get larger. Also might want to consider Lake Victorian cichlids. Many ways you can go with a 55. Easiest route would probably be Mbuna. They are quite fun to keep and there are many species which are not particularly violent.
Mbuna Cichlids
Arguably one of the most popular African cichlid mbunas, is the Electric Yellow Lab (scientific name: Labidochromis caeruleus). I would go along with RD's suggestion of yellow labs, and there are other species in the genus which would make great tankmates, such as "sp. Perlmutt", one of my personal favorites, mild mannered and pretty fish. Trewavasae are also not particularly mean and have the interesting "floppy nose" look.
Next on our list is another African Cichlid Mbuna known as the Demasoni (scientific name: Pseudotropheus demasoni). The Demasoni is a popular type of Mbuna, but hobbyists looking to stock their tanks with these fish should proceed with caution. They're known to have an aggressive temperament and should be kept in a species-only tank, with one male for 3 females.
Last on our list is the Snow White Cichlid (scientific name: Pseudotropheus socolofi). Relatively easy to care for, this Mbuna albino will grow to be about 6 inches in size and requires a 50-gallon tank at a minimum. Similar to other albino fish, the species can be hard to find but is quite rewarding to keep.
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Other Cichlid Options
Another option would be tanganyikan cichlids. Could go with many different species- personally I would recommend a group of shell-dwellers, and a group of rock-dwellers. An expample of each would be N Occelaris- shelldwellers, and A. calvus- rock dwellers. It's fun to watch the cichlids inhabit different areas of the scape.
Another option would be tropheus. 55 is about the minimum tank size you can keep them in- you basically pick a single species and get 15-20 of them, and they live in a big shoal-like colony.
The Cuban Cichlid (scientific name: Nandopsis tetracanthus) is a large fish that grows to be about 10 inches in length. While a fish this size will require a tank that's over 100 gallons, a single Cuban Cichlid can be kept in a 55-gallon tank, but you'll need to provide plenty of rock work and durable live plants to keep the fish stimulated.
Throughout the years, the species has been crossbred to produce some of the brightest colors seen in cichlid-keeping, and the Dragonblood OB is at the top of the list. The fish can be hard to acquire, but its red and blue coloration makes it highly sought after among hobbyists. The intensity of their colors varies, with some producing a vibrant red coloration, while others may be more peach.
The second Peacock on our list of best cichlids is the Blue Dragon Blood.
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Similar to the Cuban Cichlid, the Electric Blue Texas Cichlid (scientific name: Herichthys carpintis) is a large cichlid species with a bold personality and attractive appearance. Native to Northern Mexico, the species is quite aggressive. If you plan on purchasing a tank larger than 55 gallons, you'll be able to pair this species with other aggressive tank mates, such as the Cuban and Electric Blue Jack Dempsey.
Rarer than the Jack Dempsey fish, the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is more than a fish that packs a punch. The fish's bright blue body shimmers when under direct lighting, and is covered with a unique tiger-like pattern. However, once the fish reaches the end of its lifespan, around 12 years of age, the bright coloration will begin to turn a bit more dull.
Next on our list is a classic New World Cichlid, known as the Convict Cichlid. Occasionally referred to as the Zebra Cichlid, these fish are well-studied and have been kept in the hobby for decades. Named after its appearance, which resembles the striped prison uniforms of British convicts, the fish are relatively small, reaching an adult size between 4 to 5 inches in length. This small size only requires a 20-gallon tank, but multiple can be kept in a 55-gallon.
Tank Setup and Environment
These cichlids would like pH a little higher than yours, 8.5+, so may want to add some rushed coral or similar substrate to raise pH and hardness. Their smaller size makes them an excellent choice for smaller aquariums, but in larger tanks, they're often featured in community setups. Congo Tetras and other species native to Africa, such as the Synodontis Catfish are common additions in these tank configurations.
In my 55g tank, I went to a local creek, that feeds into a local river, to pick up river rock. These were free and easily cleaned and provides a plethora of hiding spaces. I got Pool Filter Sand from a pool supply store for my substrate. I first placed the rocks into the aquarium directly on the glass and then filled in with the PFS around the rocks. This way the fish can't dig underneath the rocks causing a shift. I stack my rocks about 60 to 70 percent of the total height to provide a lot of hiding places. My stock is Ps. Saulosi, I love the wet spot it's one of my favorite stores! My pH goes around 7.5 to 8.
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In a 55, a good mix would be two smaller mbuna species, L. I love the wet spot it's one of my favorite stores! My pH goes around 7.5 to 8.
Now that we've provided a few of our favorites, which do you think you'll go with? If you're the proud owner of a 55-gallon tank, it's easy to see that there's no shortage of cichlid stocking options to choose from.
