African Cichlids are vibrant, easy-care fish species that make an excellent addition to any home aquarium. While their aggression levels can sometimes exceed other tropical fish species, to keep these active creatures safe they should be housed in an aquarium of sufficient size with enough rocks, hiding spots, and filter systems to make sure they feel secure in their environment and don't act out. It is also wise to avoid certain fish types that prefer open water swimming as these could become targets of African Cichlids' predatory tendencies.
Your best bet for creating an ideal aquarium environment for your African Cichlid is finding tankmates from similar origin and natural habitat. Cichlids living together often share similar diet, habitat preferences and social behaviors - helping reduce any unnecessary stress caused by incompatible habits or environments.
Choose fish with disease resistance when selecting African cichlids to ensure they thrive in their aquarium. Each species of fish has different susceptibilities to disease outbreaks in an aquarium containing multiple different kinds of fish; selecting tank mates that are highly resistant can save both time, money and aggravation in the long run.
Consideration should also be given when selecting African Cichlid tank mates to their growth rate. Different species of cichlids mature at different speeds which may alter their behavior and nutritional requirements; selecting tank mates that have similar growth rates will allow each one to fulfill its nutritional requirements without competition from other fish.
