American Cichlids: Colour, Chaos, and Character in Glass
, by Majella Gee, 26 min reading time
If you’ve ever stood in front of a tank of cichlids and thought, “Wow, they’re stunning!”, you’re right. If your second thought was, “I bet they’d look amazing in my tank,” — slow down, cowboy.
American cichlids aren’t your average community fish. They’re feisty, full of personality, and can be either your greatest joy or your biggest headache, depending on how you set them up.
Let’s dive deep into the world of these aquatic heavyweights — their habits, homes, and the fine art of keeping them from tearing each other to shreds.
Meet the Americans
“American cichlid” covers a wide family of species native to Central and South America, including some of the hobby’s most popular (and temperamental) fish.
Common Central & South American Species
- Angelfish – graceful, elegant, and relatively peaceful (for a cichlid). Lifespan: 8–10 years.
- Discus – the crown jewel of South America. Sensitive, stunning, and not for the lazy keeper. Lifespan: up to 10–15 years with care.
- Convict Cichlid – tough as nails, breeds like rabbits, and loves rearranging your tank. Lifespan: 8–10 years.
- Oscar – intelligent, playful, and big enough to stare at you with actual judgement. Lifespan: 10–15 years (sometimes over 20).
- Firemouth Cichlid – known for that fiery red throat and a bit of attitude. Lifespan: around 10 years.
- Jack Dempsey – a name that says it all. Gorgeous colours and a boxer’s temperament. Lifespan: 8–12 years.
- Blue Acara – one of the more chilled-out types, perfect for those easing into cichlid life. Lifespan: 8–10 years.
Each one has its quirks. Oscars recognise their owners and might even beg for food. Convicts will remodel your tank daily. Discus demand spa-like conditions and freak out if you skip maintenance.
So before you buy, match your fish to your lifestyle, not your Instagram feed.
Tank Size: Bigger Is Always Better
A single Oscar needs at least a 200L tank, and that’s the bare minimum. A breeding pair of Convicts? 100L or more — but don’t expect tankmates to survive when they’re spawning.
Rule of thumb:
- Small species (Firemouths, Blue Acaras): 100–150L
- Medium species (Severums, Keyholes): 150–250L
- Large species (Oscars, Jack Dempseys): 200L+ per fish
Cichlids are territorial. Think of them as the rowdy neighbours who need their own yards. If space is tight, fights are inevitable.
Water Quality & Chemistry
This is where most new keepers slip up. American cichlids prefer softer, slightly acidic water compared to their African cousins.
- pH: 6.5–7.2
- Hardness: 4–10 dGH
- Temperature: 25–28°C
They hate sudden swings. Invest in a good heater, thermometer, and water test kit — not the bargain-bin stuff.
If your tap water is too hard (common in parts of Australia), mix with RO or rainwater — but always stabilise and condition before adding it to the tank.
Clean water is life. 20–30% weekly water changes are non-negotiable.
Feeding the Beasts
These fish are carnivorous or omnivorous, depending on species, but all need high-protein, natural foods to thrive. Skip the cheap flakes — they cloud water and offer little nutrition.
Recommended Natural Foods (Readily Available in Australia)
- Live or frozen bloodworms – high in protein; great for Angels, Firemouths, and smaller cichlids.
- Brine shrimp – excellent for juveniles and finicky eaters like Discus.
- Blackworms – rich and wriggly; offer occasionally as a treat.
- Earthworms – ideal for Oscars and larger species; chop into bite-size pieces.
- Prawns and shrimp – raw, unsalted, and chopped small.
- Blanched vegetables – peas (for digestion), zucchini, spinach, or sweet potato slices.
- Spirulina – excellent for Blue Acaras and herbivorous varieties to keep colour vibrant.
- Daphnia – natural laxative food for smaller cichlids and juveniles.
Species-Specific Feeding Tips
- Discus: thrive on a mix of high-protein pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and beef heart blends. Feed small portions multiple times daily.
- Angelfish: enjoy frozen brine shrimp, blackworms, and quality flakes. They also pick at fine-leafed plants, so keep their greens up.
- Oscars: intelligent feeders. Offer pellets formulated for large carnivores, plus occasional prawns, crickets, or mealworms. Avoid feeder fish — they carry disease.
- Convicts & Firemouths: omnivorous. Give a balanced mix of pellets, bloodworms, and vegetable matter like spinach or spirulina-based foods.
- Jack Dempsey & Blue Acara: love worms, shrimp, and insects. Supplement with vegetables once or twice a week to aid digestion.
- Severums: often develop a taste for plant matter — zucchini and spinach are favourites.
Avoid feeding red meat, chicken, or oily fish. It causes fatty liver disease and pollutes the water.
And please — don’t overfeed. Cichlids will eat like Labradors, but that doesn’t mean they should.
Tank Setup & Décor: The Art of Controlled Chaos
Cichlids are natural diggers and decorators. They’ll shovel gravel, move rocks, and uproot plants like they’re running a renovation show.
To keep your tank (and sanity) intact:
- Use sand or fine gravel substrate — easier for them to dig safely.
- Choose solid rocks or driftwood that won’t topple when they start redecorating.
- Avoid fragile ornaments and plastic plants — they’ll destroy them.
- Use hardy live plants like Anubias, Java Fern, or Amazon Swords, anchored to rocks or wood rather than buried.
They love creating caves and territories, so build multiple hiding spots. If they all claim one, you’ll need to rearrange (again).
Tankmates: Friends or Foes?
Ah, the eternal question — what can live with cichlids?
Short answer: not much, unless you know your species and personalities.
Generally Compatible (with caution):
- Silver Dollars
- Plecos (large varieties only)
- Giant Danios
- Larger Tetras (e.g., Buenos Aires Tetras)
- Some Catfish (Synodontis, Corydoras for smaller species)
Avoid:
- Small, timid fish (Neons, Guppies, etc.)
- Fin-nippers (Tiger Barbs, small aggressive tetras)
- Anything that fits in their mouth — because it will end up there
If breeding behaviour kicks in, even your “peaceful” pair might turn into miniature monsters overnight.
Breeding: Romance with a Side of Mayhem
Most American cichlids are egg layers and devoted parents, which sounds sweet until you realise “devoted” means they’ll attack anything — including your hand — to protect the fry.
- Convicts, Firemouths, and Severums breed readily.
- Discus and Angels need very clean, calm conditions.
- Oscars often dig pits or clean flat rocks for spawning.
When they pair up, expect aggression. If you’re not planning on breeding, keep just one or ensure you’ve got enough room to separate them.
Oh, and those cute baby fish? You’ll have hundreds. Plan ahead or find a store willing to take fry off your hands.
Common Problems
- Aggression – Natural. Manage it with tank size, structure, and compatible mates.
- Poor Water Quality – Leads to stress, disease, and dull colours.
- Hole-in-the-Head Disease – Common in Oscars, caused by poor diet or water conditions.
- Ich (white spot) – Stress-induced; treat early with aquarium-safe meds.
- Nutrient imbalance – Cloudy eyes, fin rot, or lethargy = check your water first, not your wallet.
Most issues stem from neglect, overfeeding, or overcrowding — all human errors.
Maintenance Routine
Consistency keeps your tank thriving:
- Daily: Observe fish behaviour and check temperature.
- Weekly: Vacuum substrate, clean glass, change 20–30% water.
- Monthly: Rinse filter media in tank water (not tap water).
- Every few months: Deep clean décor and test pH, hardness, and nitrate levels.
Think of it as running a tiny aquatic city. Ignore the infrastructure, and chaos follows.
Final Thoughts: Big Fish, Big Commitment
Keeping American cichlids isn’t for the faint-hearted. They’re not “set and forget” fish — they’re interactive, intelligent, and often unpredictable.
But if you’re up for it, they’ll reward you with vibrant colour, fascinating behaviour, and years of companionship.
Respect their needs, feed them well, and give them space to rule their watery kingdoms — and you’ll never look at “normal” fish the same way again.
If you love the fire and flair of American Cichlids, don’t miss their colourful cousins —
👉 African Cichlids: The Rock Dwellers of the Rift Lakes — a deep dive into their wild, rocky world and the dramatic personalities that come with it.
©Majella Gee 2025
Images
Main image: Red Devil (Amphilophus labiatus)
Top to bottom: Angel Fish (Pterophyllum scalare), Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus), Convict (Amatitlania nigrofasciata), Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata), Albino Convict with eggs, Breeding pair of Firemouth Cichlids (Thorichthys meeki) and a Turquoise Discus.
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