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Cichlids are colorful, smart, and full of personality, which makes them some of the most rewarding freshwater fish to keep. But not all cichlids are great for beginners. Some species get huge, demand strict water conditions, or defend territory like little bulldozers. The good news is there are several gentle, hardy cichlids that are perfect for first-time keepers. In this guide, you will learn what makes a cichlid beginner-friendly, how to set up your tank the right way, and which species are the easiest to keep. You will also see simple stocking ideas, feeding tips, and common mistakes to avoid so you can enjoy a beautiful, peaceful cichlid aquarium from day one.
What Makes a Cichlid Beginner-Friendly
Temperament and Territory
All cichlids have some level of territorial behavior, especially during breeding. For beginners, choose species known to be peaceful or only mildly territorial. These fish coexist better with tankmates, are less likely to fight constantly, and are easier to manage in community-style tanks.
Adult Size and Tank Size
Small to medium cichlids are easier for beginners because they fit well into common tank sizes. Large cichlids need big aquariums and heavy filtration. For your first cichlid tank, aim for species that stay under 6 inches (15 cm) and tanks in the 20 to 55 gallon range (75 to 200 liters).
Water Parameters and Adaptability
Beginner-friendly cichlids handle a wider range of pH, hardness, and temperature. Stable water is more important than chasing perfect numbers. Pick species that match your local tap water as closely as possible to make care easier.
Feeding and Diet
Hardy eaters that accept quality pellets and frozen foods are ideal. Some cichlids are strict herbivores or very sensitive to diet; those are not great for beginners. Choose omnivores or gentle grazers that thrive on a simple, balanced diet.
Availability and Price
Common, tank-bred species are usually hardier and cheaper than rare wild-caught fish. They also adapt better to home aquariums. Most cichlids in this guide are easy to find in local stores.
Breeding Behavior
Some cichlids breed readily and become very protective. This can be fun, but it can also cause aggression in small tanks. If you want a calm community, choose single individuals or compatible pairs and avoid species known for nonstop breeding unless you plan for it.
Quick Care Basics for Any Cichlid Tank
Cycle the Tank and Use Strong Filtration
Always cycle your aquarium before adding cichlids. Use a reliable filter sized for your tank or the next size up, since cichlids are messy eaters. Sponge filters or canisters paired with a hang-on-back unit provide both biological and mechanical filtration.
Water Parameters Sweet Spots
Most beginner cichlids in this article do well at 75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C). South American species generally prefer soft to moderate water with a pH near neutral. African rift lake species want harder, more alkaline water with a pH above 7.6. Stability is key—test weekly and do regular water changes.
Aquascaping for Cichlids
Use sand or fine gravel so cichlids can dig without injury. Build caves with rocks or driftwood to break line of sight and reduce bullying. Many cichlids appreciate plants, but choose sturdy species like Anubias, Java fern, or Vallisneria and attach them to hardscape so your fish do not uproot them.
Maintenance Routine
Do weekly water changes of 25 to 40 percent, vacuum lightly where food collects, and rinse filter media in tank water (never tap water) to protect beneficial bacteria. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and remove uneaten food after a few minutes.
Choosing Tankmates
Pick tankmates that match your cichlid’s temperament and water needs. Peaceful community fish work with gentle dwarf cichlids. Fast midwater swimmers make good dithers for shy species. Avoid long-finned or very tiny fish with larger cichlids, and do not mix African rift lake cichlids with South American species.
Best Beginner Cichlids: Easy Species to Keep
Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)
Bolivian rams are calm, colorful dwarf cichlids that adapt well to a range of water conditions. They are a bit larger and hardier than German blue rams, which makes them better for beginners. Their gentle personality fits nicely in a peaceful community tank.
Adult size: about 3 to 3.5 inches (7.5 to 9 cm). Tank: 20 to 29 gallons for a pair. Water: 74 to 79°F (23 to 26°C), pH 6.5 to 7.8. Substrate: sand is best for natural sifting behavior. Décor: driftwood, caves, and broad-leaf plants.
Tankmates: small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and peaceful livebearers. Avoid fin-nippers and aggressive cichlids. Feeding: quality sinking micro-pellets, frozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, and occasional blanched vegetables.
Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii)
Keyholes are famously gentle and shy, making them one of the best cichlids for true beginners. They like quiet tanks with hiding spots and reward calm care with relaxed, charming behavior. Their subtle beige body with a “keyhole” mark is understated but beautiful.
Adult size: 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm). Tank: 29 gallons or more for a pair or small group. Water: 74 to 80°F (23 to 27°C), pH 6.2 to 7.8. Décor: wood, rocks, and plants to create shade and cover.
Tankmates: gentle tetras, peaceful barbs, hatchetfish, pencilfish, and corydoras. Feeding: small pellets and frozen foods. They are slow eaters, so provide food in several small spots so faster fish do not outcompete them.
Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
Kribs are colorful West African dwarf cichlids that are very hardy and adaptable. They are excellent for beginners who want a pair with interesting courtship and parental care. When not breeding, they are peaceful. During breeding, they defend a small cave but usually do fine in a well-structured tank.
Adult size: 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm). Tank: 20-gallon long for a pair. Water: 74 to 79°F (23 to 26°C), pH 6.5 to 7.8 (captive-bred fish are flexible). Décor: caves are essential; use coconut shells or stacked rocks.
Tankmates: hardy tetras, livebearers, and bottom dwellers like bristlenose plecos. Feeding: omnivorous—accepts pellets, flakes, frozen foods, and vegetable matter.
Rainbow Cichlid (Herotilapia multispinosa)
Rainbow cichlids are peaceful, undemanding, and change colors with mood, which is fun to watch. They are slightly larger than dwarf cichlids but still manageable. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions and do well in community setups when given space.
Adult size: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). Tank: 40-gallon breeder or 55 gallons for a pair or group. Water: 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), pH 6.8 to 8.0. Décor: sand with driftwood and rocks; hardy plants are fine.
Tankmates: peaceful barbs, larger tetras, rainbowfish, and robust catfish. Feeding: pellets, spirulina flakes, frozen foods. They appreciate some vegetable content.
Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher)
The electric blue acara is a stunner with a calm temperament compared to many medium cichlids. They are confident, curious, and usually do not bully tankmates. They are a perfect “centerpiece” fish for a larger beginner tank.
Adult size: 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm). Tank: 55 gallons for an adult or pair. Water: 74 to 80°F (23 to 27°C), pH 6.5 to 7.5. Décor: wood and rock with open swimming space; sturdy plants are safe.
Tankmates: larger tetras, rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, and catfish like bristlenose plecos. Feeding: high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen krill, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and veggie-based foods for balance.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
Angelfish are iconic South American cichlids that can work well for beginners with a little planning. They are semi-peaceful, tall-bodied fish that look majestic in planted tanks. Keep them in a group as juveniles and rehome extras once a pair forms, or keep a single angel as a centerpiece.
Adult size: tall—needs vertical space; body length around 6 inches (15 cm). Tank: 55 gallons for a small group, 29 gallons for a single. Water: 76 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), pH 6.5 to 7.6, soft to moderate hardness. Décor: plants, wood, and open vertical swimming lanes.
Tankmates: medium schooling fish like larger tetras or rainbowfish; avoid tiny nano fish that may be seen as food. Feeding: floating and slow-sinking pellets, frozen foods, and quality flakes.
Shell Dwellers (Neolamprologus multifasciatus and related)
Shell dwellers, especially “multis,” are tiny Tanganyikan cichlids that live and breed in empty snail shells. They are bold, fun, and very interesting to watch. They need hard, alkaline water, so they are best for keepers whose tap water is naturally hard or who are willing to buffer their water.
Adult size: around 1.5 inches (4 cm). Tank: 20-gallon long for a colony. Water: 75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C), pH 7.8 to 9.0, hard water (high KH and GH). Décor: sand substrate with many shells (at least two per fish) and rock piles.
Tankmates: same-lake species only if experienced; beginners should keep a species-only tank. Feeding: small pellets, crushed flakes, frozen cyclops and baby brine shrimp.
Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus)
If you want your first taste of African Malawi cichlids, yellow labs are among the most peaceful mbuna. They are bright, active, and relatively forgiving. However, they still need an African setup with hard, alkaline water and a larger tank.
Adult size: 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 cm). Tank: 55 gallons or larger. Water: 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C), pH 7.6 to 8.6, hard water. Décor: rock piles with many caves and broken sightlines; sand or fine gravel.
Tankmates: other mild mbuna like rusty cichlids (Iodotropheus sprengerae) or acei (Pseudotropheus/Chindongo sp. “acei”). Stock in groups with more females than males to reduce aggression. Feeding: primarily herbivorous diet—spirulina flakes, algae wafers, and vegetable matter. Avoid high-protein, meaty foods to prevent bloat.
Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) — With a Caution
Convicts are extremely hardy and easy to breed, which is why they are often called “beginner fish.” However, they are very aggressive when spawning and will dominate small tanks. If you keep a single convict in a species-only setup, they can be a good first cichlid. For peaceful communities, choose one of the other species above.
Adult size: 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 cm). Tank: 29 gallons for a single. Water: 74 to 80°F (23 to 27°C), pH 6.8 to 7.8. Décor: rocks and caves for security. Feeding: omnivorous pellets, flakes, and frozen foods.
Species to Avoid at First
Delicate or Demanding Choices
German blue rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) and discus are beautiful but need very warm, stable, and soft water with perfect quality. They are not ideal for a first cichlid tank. Save them for later when you have more experience managing water parameters.
Very Large or Aggressive Cichlids
Oscars, green terrors, jack dempseys, and most mbuna mixes are powerful, territorial fish that require big tanks and careful stocking. These species can be great in the right hands, but they are not the best place to start.
Simple Stocking Ideas by Tank Size
20-Gallon Long
Option 1: A pair of kribensis with caves, plus a small school of midwater fish (if you are not planning to breed). Keep line-of-sight breaks to calm the pair.
Option 2: A colony of shell dwellers (multis). Provide many shells and a sandy floor. Keep it species-only for simplicity and fun behavior.
29-Gallon
Option 1: A pair of bolivian rams with 10 to 12 small tetras or rasboras and a group of corydoras. Add wood, plants, and gentle flow.
Option 2: A pair of keyhole cichlids with peaceful dither fish like harlequin rasboras and a bristlenose pleco.
40-Gallon Breeder
Option 1: A pair of rainbow cichlids with a school of larger tetras and a bristlenose pleco. The 40 breeder footprint gives great bottom space for territories.
Option 2: One electric blue acara as a centerpiece with active dithers like bleeding heart tetras or rainbowfish. Keep aquascape open but structured.
55-Gallon
Option 1: One electric blue acara pair, a school of 12 to 15 robust tetras, and 1 to 2 bottom dwellers like bristlenose plecos. This makes a beautiful, calm display.
Option 2: A group of 8 to 12 yellow labs (with more females than males) in a rock-heavy mbuna setup. Keep diet herbivorous and stock all fish at once to reduce aggression.
Option 3: A small group of juvenile angelfish (6 to 8). As they mature, keep one pair and rehome the rest to maintain harmony.
Feeding Made Simple
Core Diet
Choose a high-quality cichlid pellet that matches your fish’s size. Supplement with frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and mysis. Offer vegetable matter weekly, such as blanched spinach, peas, or algae wafers, especially for herbivorous or omnivorous species.
Feeding Schedule and Portions
Feed small amounts once or twice per day. Your fish should finish everything in a couple of minutes. Overfeeding causes water issues and health problems. Skip one feeding per week to let your filtration catch up and to prevent fatty liver in fish.
Special Note for African Mbuna
Mbuna like yellow labs are adapted to grazing algae and biofilm. Too much animal protein can cause digestive issues (often called “Malawi bloat”). Focus on spirulina-based foods, algae wafers, and plant matter. Use meaty foods only as a rare treat.
Water Chemistry Tips for Beginners
Match Fish to Your Tap Water
Test your tap water for pH and hardness. If it is naturally hard and alkaline, African cichlids and shell dwellers will be easier. If your water is soft to moderate and near neutral, South American and West African dwarf cichlids are a better fit.
How to Raise Hardness for Africans
Use aragonite sand or crushed coral in your filter or as part of the substrate. These slowly raise pH and hardness. Do not swing parameters quickly; make small changes and retest weekly.
How to Soften Water for South Americans
If your water is very hard, mix in reverse osmosis (RO) water during water changes to reach moderate hardness. Again, aim for stable numbers rather than chasing a perfect value. Most beginner cichlids tolerate a range if it is stable and clean.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Adding Fish Before the Cycle Completes
Ammonia and nitrite spikes are deadly. Seed your filter with beneficial bacteria or use media from an established tank when possible. Test regularly and wait for zero ammonia and nitrite before adding cichlids.
Mixing Incompatible Species
Do not mix African rift lake cichlids with South American species. Do not house peaceful dwarfs with large, assertive fish. Choose one region and temperament profile for your first setup.
Incorrect Stocking Ratios
For mbuna, use groups with more females than males to spread attention and reduce harassment. For dwarf cichlids, keep a pair or a single individual rather than multiple males in small tanks to prevent fighting.
Ignoring Territory and Hiding Spaces
Provide caves, rock piles, and broken sightlines. This reduces stress and aggression in all cichlid tanks. A plain, open tank invites conflict.
Feeding the Wrong Foods
Herbivorous cichlids need vegetable-heavy diets. Feeding too much protein can cause illness. Read labels and choose foods made for your species.
Skipping Lids and Quarantine
Cichlids can jump when startled, so use a tight-fitting lid. Quarantine new fish for at least two weeks in a separate tank to prevent disease from entering your main aquarium.
Beginner FAQs
Can I keep one cichlid by itself?
Yes. Species like electric blue acara, rainbow cichlid, or a single angelfish can live alone with community tankmates. Dwarf cichlids like bolivian rams and kribensis are often kept as pairs, but a single individual is fine if you prefer no breeding behavior.
Do cichlids eat plants?
Some cichlids dig and may uproot plants. Choose hardy, attached plants like Anubias and Java fern on rocks or wood. Vallisneria and crinum can work in African setups. Avoid delicate carpets in cichlid tanks.
What substrate is best?
Sand is ideal for most cichlids because they like to sift and dig. Fine gravel is acceptable for larger cichlids as long as it is smooth.
How do I reduce aggression?
Use a bigger tank when possible, add more hiding spots, keep proper male-to-female ratios for mbuna, and add all fish at the same time to prevent territory claims. Rearranging décor can also reset boundaries.
How often should I change water?
Plan for weekly changes of 25 to 40 percent, depending on stocking and feeding. Test nitrates to guide your schedule and try to keep them under 20 to 30 ppm for most setups.
Putting It All Together: A Simple Step-by-Step
Plan Around One Star Species
Choose one main cichlid, such as a pair of bolivian rams or a single electric blue acara. Match tankmates to that fish’s temperament and water needs.
Build a Tank That Fits the Fish
Pick the recommended tank size or larger. Use sand, add caves and wood, and place plants on hardscape. Keep the filter strong and quiet. Add a heater and a tight lid.
Cycle, Stock, and Observe
Cycle the tank fully before adding fish. Introduce tankmates first, then your cichlids. Watch behavior closely for the first week. Feed lightly while the biofilter settles.
Maintain and Enjoy
Do regular water changes, clean gently, and keep notes. Cichlids have real personalities—watching them explore and interact is half the fun of the hobby.
Conclusion
Your First Cichlid, the Easy Way
You do not need a giant tank or advanced skills to enjoy cichlids. Start with peaceful, hardy species that match your tap water and choose a tank size that gives them space to thrive. Bolivian rams, keyholes, kribensis, rainbow cichlids, electric blue acaras, angelfish, shell dwellers, and yellow labs are reliable, beginner-friendly options when set up correctly.
Focus on stable water, smart stocking, and thoughtful aquascaping. Feed a balanced diet, perform regular water changes, and give your fish places to claim and hide. With these simple steps, your first cichlid tank can be colorful, active, and peaceful. As you gain experience, you can explore more complex species and communities—but for now, enjoy the lively personalities and natural behaviors of these easy cichlids. They are some of the best freshwater fish you can keep, and a perfect start to a lifelong love of aquariums.