Keeping cichlids can be a challenge for beginners due to aggression issues, water parameters, and tank size requirements. This article addresses the common question among new cichlid keepers: how to identify different female Malawi cichlids.
Electric Blue Cichlid
The Challenge of Identifying Female Malawi Cichlids
Many new cichlid keepers find it difficult to determine the species of their female cichlids.So, is it possible to figure out what females you have? The answer is, it is very difficult. Many of them look the same.
One common misconception is that egg spots can be used to determine sex. However, many female Malawian cichlids also have egg spots, so this method is unreliable.
From provided pictures, it is possible to identify female Copadichromis species and female peacocks, but generally, distinguishing between different female Malawi cichlids is a significant challenge.
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Key Differences Between Males and Females
While identifying the exact species of females can be tough, there are some general differences between male and female cichlids:
- Fin Shape: The females fins are not as pointed at the ends, the males pectoral fins are more swept back.
Best Beginner Cichlids
For those new to cichlids, choosing the right species can make a big difference. The following cichlids are known for being relatively hardy and easier to care for:
Top 10 Beginner Cichlids - Great Options for Your First Cichlid Tank
- Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata): One of the most beginner-friendly choices, convicts are extremely hardy and can tolerate a variety of tank mates. They stay relatively small and can withstand many beginner-level mistakes. Convicts can also do just fine in smaller aquariums, with a recommended tank size of 30+ gallons.
- Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki): A staple of the aquarium hobby, the Firemouth cichlid is a Central American cichlid that stays medium in size, so they don’t require a massive aquarium. They are usually semi-aggressive, so they are compatible with many other cichlids and community fish. Firemouth cichlids are relatively hardy fish and they are very easy to breed, making them ideal for beginners.
- Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus): Perhaps the most peaceful of all mbuna species, the Yellow Lab is a great option for beginners getting into African cichlids. The Yellow Lab has bright yellow coloration with some black trim on their fins.
- Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher): A great choice for any beginner, Electric Blue Acaras have bright blue colors from a young age and throughout adulthood. They do well with a lot of other American cichlids.
- Severum Cichlid (Heros severus): Severums are very hardy cichlids as well, making them perfect for beginners. They do get large though, so I would recommend a 55 gallon tank at minimum, but a 75 gallon or greater would really be ideal for an adult with tank mates.
- Yellow Tail Acei (Pseudotropheus acei): One of the best options for beginners looking to keep African cichlids, the Yellow Tail Acei is one of the more peaceful mbuna cichlids. They have blueish purple in their body and a bright yellow tail, which makes them stand out in a tank.
- Apistogramma: There are many different types of Apistogramma, which can come in a ton of varieties and with a wide range of colors. Since they stay small (topping out around 3 inches), they are perfect for beginners due to a tank size. Apistogramma can comfortably fit in a 20 gallon tank.
- Kribensis Cichlid (Pelvicachromis pulcher): Kribensis cichlids are often available at the big box stores like Petco and PetSmart, and they are good options for beginners due to their smaller size, great colors, and peaceful nature for a cichlid. Tank size can also be relatively modest at around 30-40 gallons being sufficient, and they usually be kept in planted aquariums without issues.
- Electric Blue Hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri): They are great for beginners due to their compatibility with a lot of different African cichlid setups. The males also have bright blue colors at a young age, so you get to see that awesome pop of color right away, while some other African cichlids might take awhile to color up fully.
- Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata): Jack Dempsey cichlids are one of the hardiest cichlids you will ever find. Jack Dempsey cichlids are Central American cichlids that can usually do well in a tank with similarly sized American cichlids and some of the larger barbs and tetras.
African Cichlids: An Overview
African Cichlids come from three of Africa’s great lakes - Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria. In these lakes there are more species of fish than in any other lakes in the world. Because of their high pH and hardness levels it is necessary to treat the water with some sort of African Cichlid lake salts.
Rift Lake 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!
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.
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Common Terms:
- Mbuna: meaning “rockfish” in Malawi’s native Tonga language.
- Utaka: kind of the opposite of an mbuna.
- Hap: basically any fish from the tribe Haplochromini that doesn’t fall in the above categories.
Specific African Cichlid Species
Here are a few popular African cichlid species, each with unique characteristics:
| Species | Type | Max. Length | Min. Tank Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Peacock (Aulonocara nyassae) | Hap (Peacock) | 6″ | 55 gallons | Known for dazzling, metallic-blue coloration. Only males display the typical spectacular coloration. |
| Electric Yellow Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus) | Mbuna | 4″ | 30 gallons | Popular choice among beginning African cichlid keepers due to its relatively peaceful nature. |
| Electric Blue (Sciaenochromis fryeri) | Hap | 8″ | 80 gallons (long) | Shimmering, metallic blues. |
| Venustus Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus) | Hap | 10″ | 75 gallons | Lethal ambush hunters. |
| Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia callainos) | Mbuna | 5.5″ | 55 gallons | Known to be quite feisty, particularly toward its own kind. |
| Frontosa Cichlids (Cyphotilapia) | Frontosas | 12″ | 125 gallons | Largest fish on the list. |
| Princess Cichlid (Neolamprologus brichardi) | Fairy | 4″ | 30 gallons | Hardy and easy to keep. |
| Shell Dweller (Lamprologus ocellatus) | Shellie | 2.5″ | 10 gallons | Small but mighty. |
| White-spotted Cichlid (Tropheus duboisi) | Tropheus | 4.5″ | 75 gallons | Not necessarily a beginner fish. |
| Pearly Lamprologus (Altolamprologus compressiceps) | Compressiceps | 5″ | 55 gallons | Known to be sensitive to low water quality. |
| Kribensis cichlid (Pelvicachromis pulcher) | West African river | 4″ | 20 gallons | Can be kept in various types of community aquariums. |
| Blood-red jewel cichlid (Hemichromis) | Congo Basin | 4″ | 30 gallons | This species can be a real terror, so it’s not suitable for beginners. |
General Tips for Keeping African Cichlids
Here are some additional tips for keeping African cichlids:
- Tank Size: African Cichlids have aggressive behaviour so their tank should be as large as possible.
- Tank Setup: In the aquarium should be a rock structure with caves and platforms, but with an open area for swimming.
- Water Quality: Because of their high pH and hardness levels it is necessary to treat the water with some sort of African Cichlid lake salts.
- Feeding: Their food should be rich in vegetation. African cichlids should be fed by supplements of peas, romaine lettuce, spinach, and zucchini which is cut into small pieces.
Aquascaping ideas for African Cichlids
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