Cichlid
South American cichlids
Discus, angels, geophagus, rams, Apistos, oscars and more. Soft to neutral water for many, and a huge range of sizes.
Discus, angels, geophagus, rams, Apistos, oscars and more. Soft to neutral water for many, and a huge range of sizes.
Discus
Peaceful and shy
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Angelfish
Semi aggressive
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Green Terror
Aggressive and territorial, especially when breeding
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Severum
One of the calmer large cichlids, but territorial when breeding
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Geophagus
Peaceful and social
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German Blue Ram
Peaceful dwarf cichlid
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Apistogramma
Peaceful dwarf cichlid
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Bolivian Ram
Peaceful, but needs clean water and is a poor competitor for food
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Cockatoo Cichlid
Peaceful toward other species
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Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
Peaceful toward other species
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Blue Acara
Peaceful for a cichlid of its size, but will eat fish small enough to swallow
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Uaru
Surprisingly peaceful for such a large cichlid
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Jurupari Eartheater
Surprisingly peaceful unless breeding
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Balzani Eartheater
Not a good community fish
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Flag Cichlid
Peaceful, though more aggressive when breeding
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Flag Acara
Peaceful dwarf cichlid, territorial only when breeding
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Golden Dwarf Cichlid
Very peaceful, but females guard fry aggressively
Open guideCheckerboard Cichlid
Relatively peaceful and struggles against more aggressive tank mates
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Altum Angelfish
Calm like the common angelfish, but will eat fish small enough to swallow
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Peacock Bass
Territorial and moderately aggressive, and it eats any fish that fits in its mouth
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Geophagus Altifrons
Surprisingly peaceful unless breeding
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Keyhole Cichlid
Peaceful and shy
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Water
Discus, angels and dwarfs often want soft, warm water. Oscars are more flexible.
Aquascape
Wood, leaf litter and open sand suit many SA species.
Community
Rams and Apistos pair with peaceful tank mates; oscars do not.
FAQ
Can I keep discus with African cichlids?
Usually no. Water chemistry and temperament clash.
Best South American for beginners?
Severums, festivums and some geophagus are steadier than discus.