Cichlid
Lake Tanganyika cichlids
Frontosa, shell dwellers, Julidochromis, Brichardi and more. Hard water specialists with unique breeding habits.
Frontosa, shell dwellers, Julidochromis, Brichardi and more. Hard water specialists with unique breeding habits.
Frontosa
Fairly peaceful for its size but will eat any fish small enough to swallow
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Fairy Cichlid
Territorial, more so with fry
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Multies
Territorial around its shell but tiny, so it only threatens fish of its own size
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Ocellatus Shell Dweller
Defends its shell and the area around it vigorously, but is too small to harm larger fish
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Marlieri Julie
Territorial
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Tropheus Moorii
Relatively peaceful toward other species but squabbles with its own kind
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Calvus
Peaceful toward fish it cannot swallow, but shy
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Lemon Cichlid
Fairly placid unless breeding, when it becomes territorial and aggressive
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Cyprichromis Leptosoma
Very peaceful
Open guideSimilis Shell Dweller
Defends its shell with real spirit, but it is tiny and only threatens fish of its own size
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Tropheus Duboisi
Relatively peaceful toward other species but fights with its own kind
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Water
Very hard and alkaline. Stability matters.
Shells and rock
Shell dwellers need shells; rock dwellers need caves.
Aggression
Often more subtle than mbuna, still territorial at spawn.
FAQ
Are Tanganyika cichlids good for beginners?
Shell dwellers and some Julidochromis are manageable; frontosa need large adult tanks.
Mix with Malawi?
Possible for experienced keepers in hard water; most shops keep lakes separate.