How to add African Cichlids:
African Cichlid Care Guide:
The majority of the questions that I receive is about African cichlids, and often the questions are about how to setup an African cichlid tank. In this video, I take you through the steps on what you need to do when setting up an African cichlid tank.
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41 responses to “How to Setup an AFRICAN CICHLID Aquarium”
Please note that this video is specifically for MALAWI cichlids. Hopefully this video has been useful. Here are some other videos that might help you:
African Cichlid Care Guide: https://youtu.be/5ihjpU3YaWU
How to add African Cichlids: https://youtu.be/2jglYkFDnvw
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I was given a male Bumblebee Cichilid. He is currently in a 20 gallon tank 😞 I'm trying my best to make him happy where he is right now until I can get him into a bigger tank. He has a big personality and I don't want him to lose that. I just want you to know that I love your enthusiasm in your video. It was very well done and it helped me. I have done my research on him and I think I'm only gonna get him one compatible tankmate for the time being. I'm going for a 55 tank right now and all the things he needs. Caves, rocks, sand substrate (so I was told to use).
Thank you for your great video. I have subscribed to your site. 🙂
Thanks for the information! I just changed water on my 10 gallon tank, which has one one Convict cichlid in it. Water parameter is the same based on the local aquarium shop. But the fish is now sitting at the bottom corner and not eating or moving. What did I do wrong? How can I save the fish? Thanks so much for your help!
I should elaborate on my previous question… I'm not new to cichlids…I'm just setting up a new 75 gallon tank – I'm and Aussie, so 3oo litres for me 🙂 and I have previously bred cichlids and used a range of methods with success from cannister to undergravel and sponge filters, but I have been watching so many of your videos, I'd love to hear or if you would just refer me to the correct video? I can't seem to see one?
Which filtration method do you recommend, even brand/s for an african tank?
hey this video is such an informative video on African cichlids.I am new to African cichlids.I will be setting a 75 gallon as I am working on a tank stand build.Based on your advice and suggestion I've decided to go with the Dwarf Mbunas I will get the at juvenile size.I am definitely familiar with cycling as I have other tanks.But I must say you have definitely inspired me and I feel confident enough to get my new African cichlid tank going..thankyou!
Really helpful for those in the hobby and starting out
i waited like 1 month then tested with guppies so i can explore more then i gave them away waited 3 months did a little studying and i got cichlids breeding in my tank now need to buy extra tanks for them haha
Hi Ben
; Should I start
An Maine tank with 10 or
15 fish? My tank is 40
Breeder. Thanks for all your videos,ver
Y helpfUl. From, Jim Moore
We are starting a 210 gallon and want African cichlids, thanks for all you do! We really didn't know how to get started.
I just switched from saltwater to fresh 140 gallon red sea and 30 gallon sump what you recommend for media it has the reefmatt 500 for mechanical filtration already
Wow time you get a tank set up doing it this way you talking a year 😂😂
I enjoy African cichlids that's my go-to fish but my question to you is why is all of y'all instructing for all these water changes and all the stuff when I've seen numerous videos of people that if you let nature pretty much do what it does best. Which what I have learned so far is if you have the right plants and all that stuff and like go get some dirt or muck from like a Creeks or ponds near you you have all these live bacteria and organisms that take care of all the essential problems in a tank you don't have to change the water at all ever unless there's some kind of disease that requires it and occasionally add water from evaporation so you mean results you would have a natural environment it takes care of itself pretty much because even the waste will be gotten rid of by the organisms and bacteria and do like algae eaters or plecostomus or snails living inside the aquarium for example one of the guys that I've watched videos on has a tank that he hasn't done anything with it in 20 years and still got plenty of fish a very active Aquarium and I have stumbled upon your video due to the me asking the best way to set up an African cichlid tank even though I've been doing Evan cichlid tank for years I'm still a beginner if you understand what I mean because I love those kind of things but I've never went to in-depth and doing all this research and and and actually attempting it which I'm very eager to learn and researching about stuff like that but I can never seem to find very good videos ever on how to do it I guess meaning in the way that I am expecting them to teach don't get me wrong there's a lot of good videos but after washing them I still left with a lot of unanswered questions I guess in my head or or or whatever I may not be putting it in the right words when I ask or am looking for answers I'm sorry for the lengthy comment but I guess the main thing I was messaging you're coming to you or asking is why is everyone instruct to do so many water changes and all that stuff when you don't have to I just made your opinion why there ain't more videos out there on how to do natural aquariums nature doesn't do water changes its like that yeah it rains to add water to evaporated water and stuff like that or the circulating water which is essentially the filtration system in the aquarium and all the love stuff inside of the tank take care of all that what's Argo when having aquariums is to provide closest to natural environment for the fish as possible and yes keeping the filter Media or whatever bacteria in it is essential but if you have the water correct and treated right and whatever it don't need no water changes cuz you're pretty much shocking the fish and stuff every time you didn't know you got the bacteria That's essential for it service for Gaius you your opinion is you're more of a professional with fish than I am but I would assume that would be our goal and having an aquarium rather than keep changing it up constantly constantly constantly when you don't have to sorry if I confused you with all this I'd appreciate any input that you would have to help answer that for me and help maybe possibly guide me in better knowledge in that thanks in advance
You have definitely inspired me to get my cichlid tank going, I just got my 75 up and cycled and my PH levels are stable. Thank you for being awesome this video was a great help.
I have a 55 gallon tank
This YouTube video is two years old and I very much appreciate the info. I’ve never had cichlids before and was buying a 75 gal and three African cichlids came with it (and a shiner which – what?) but I have no idea what I’m doing. Google recommended your videos and so now I’m devouring all of them. Thank you!
I'm new to African cichlids, your info is very important and helpful
You inspired me to keep these fish and also open my eyes to the challenges Ahead. Thanks for your time and your help
Great video very informational especially the information about the quarantine tank.I'm preparing to set up a 55 gallon tank for African Cichlids(Peacocks and Haps).Please recommend a cannister filter system,as an option a outside hang filter and wave maker.
Just started a new cichlid tank in a 75 gallon tank. Got a exotic jack blue dempsey and some Africans. They all seem to be getting along great
I'm a lover of African cichlids in which I have a 65-gallon tank of them , a 40-gallon community tank, and also a discus tank. Let's just say that this pandemic got me into loving fish a lot more. Also, your videos are amazing and very informative.
Thank you for the videos, they are very informative. I just purchased a125 gallon aquarium and am in the process of setting it up. I have decided that I would like to stock it with Cichlids since I have never had them before. Right now I am in the discovery phase and your videos have been extremely helpful.
iv been looking into getting into african cichlids and came across your viedos awesome videos
would a 30g tank be too small?
You didn't mention what to put in the tank, like rocks, substrate, etc.
I have 40 breeder, what types of chichlids & how many I can keep ?
Want to start setting up tanks and maintaining them for clients. Have had Kenyi and others before and love them. Still need to learn a lot!
There is no scientific evidence for "cycling" a tank. It's literally a myth.
Which sand could I use ? Having mixed emotions with it.
Do you still answer questions?
I came for African cichlids. I setup a 55 gallon and I think the decor is boring. Lots of caves with rock and shell flooring. I was wondering about lighting and decor! Loved your vid!
55 gallon cichlid tank starter here…..
Came here for the cichlid info!! Thank you!!! 🎉
I am just starting with a 5.5 g tank and one African Chiclid because the other fish I was told was compatible with it died within days. Any info you can offer me?
You skipped the part I was looking for. What’s a good tank environment for African cichlids. Darn it!
I'm looking to get back into keeping fish after many years. I've always wanted to go with a Cichlid tank and found this video a great foundation and summary of how it differs from standard freshwater fish keeping.
Great advice 👍
I got some cichlids from my friend. I have setup a tank for them (55 gallons). It’s been a day and they are keep dying, what should I do?
Iv had marine kids got to much so got tropical now there in sons room looking for help setting up african cichlid tank ur video help ammencly thank you
I love this set up. I want to have one.
Awesome guide I love my cichlid