I Don't Understand Cichlids

[FishyPapa]

Just trying to get feedback because I'm really uneducated in Cichlids but could someone who has these please tell me what the appeal is?  There has to be more to it than my idea of a slightly more colorful but nastily aggressive fish.
 
Anyone?
 

 

[the_lock_man]

Not all cichlids are nasty and aggressive.

 

[fluttermoth]

Of course, it depends what sort of cichlid you're talking about; there are, literally, hundreds of different species, from small, peaceful soft water dwarfs from South America, big hard water aggressive ones from Africa and huge medium water ones from Central America, as well as numerous variations on the theme
 
The appeal of them is, I think, that they're quite intelligent; many of them will recognise their owners (well, the person that feeds them, at least!) and most of them exhibit some sort of brood care for their fry, which makes them amongst the most interesting fish to breed.
 
There are few more delightful sights in fishkeeping than an attentive father cichlid herding his babies around the tank

 

[the_lock_man]

If you have a look on the front page of the forum, you'll see the Fish of the Year photo for 2011, is a cichlid daddy (or should I say Papa?) caring for his littl'uns.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

When they are in spawning mode, every cichlid is nasty. But my two favorite cichlids are discus and angels- preferably wild caught ones.

 

[Gilli]

Character is the appeal!

 

[FishyPapa]

Ah thanks everyone. I really had no knowledge of them and this helps immensely!

Gilli: you have just 1 cichlid in a community tank? Doesn't he/she bother the others?

 

[Gilli]

Ah thanks everyone. I really had no knowledge of them and this helps immensely!

Gilli: you have just 1 cichlid in a community tank? Doesn't he/she bother the others?

 
 
No I have a pair of kribs male and female - you can only see him in my sig pic. Nope they dont bother anyone - just chase fish  away from where they occassionally lay eggs if anyone gets too close, but other than that it is a peaceful tank. Even my fully grown black tailed shark is a chilled out fish and doesnt bother anyone!  Mind you it is a 250L 4 foot very deep tank so theres plenty of space for all

 
Photo below - although it looks very different plantwise now as this was about a year ago!
 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Nice rainbows Gilli. How long have you had them and how big are they currently?

 

[Gilli]

Nice rainbows Gilli. How long have you had them and how big are they currently?

 
 
Alas I only have one Bosemani left now who is fully grown - had him about 4 years now . I  also have x 3 dwarf  electric blue rainbow fish that are around 2 years old you can just about see them in the picture.

 

[bullit]

For something to watch. Youtube african cichlids in their natural enviroment. Wont let me link you for some reason. cheers