African cichlids include river-dwelling dwarf species, rock-grazing mbuna and large lake predators. They do not share one diet, water recipe or stocking rule. Choose an identified species first, then build the aquarium around its adult needs.
Understand the main groups
Malawi mbuna generally use rocky territories, while peacocks forage over sand and many other Malawi species use open or intermediate habitats. “Hap” is a broad aquarium label, not a guarantee that a fish is a large fish-eater. Mbuna diets also vary; they are not all strict vegetarians.
Tanganyika species include large predators, shell dwellers and colonial rock-spawners. West and Central African river cichlids may need very different chemistry and flow. Shared African origin does not establish compatibility.
1. Peacock cichlids
Aulonocara includes several species and ornamental strains. Males can become territorial, and different peacocks can hybridize. Provide sand and sheltered areas, and keep reliable identity records. The peacock care guide covers adult footprints, feeding and mouthbrooding.
2. African butterfly cichlid
Anomalochromis thomasi is a relatively peaceful river-dwelling dwarf cichlid, not a Malawi butterfly peacock. Its species profile lists about 8 cm standard length and pH 5.5–7.5. A sheltered community may suit it; aggressive alkaline-water mbuna are inappropriate default companions.
3. Orange or red zebra
Orange color and blotches alone do not establish identity. Obtain a species and strain label before breeding. Fish sold as red zebra commonly belong to Maylandia estherae, also called Metriaclima estherae. See the red zebra guide for territorial behavior and color variation.
4. Zebra mbuna
Maylandia zebra and related fish should be purchased with reliable species and locality information. They need a planned mbuna aquarium with refuges and suitable social stocking. The Central American convict cichlid is a different fish despite sometimes sharing the zebra common name.
5. Electric blue hap
Sciaenochromis fryeri is a substantial Malawi predator. Do not confuse it with every fish sold as “ahli,” or put it with companions small enough to swallow. Compare its requirements in the electric blue cichlid guide; similar color does not make other blue males suitable neighbors.
6. Electric yellow lab
Labidochromis caeruleus is often less aggressive than more combative mbuna, but still needs adult territory and compatible companions. The species account lists about 10 cm standard length. It is not a tiny peaceful community fish simply because stores sell small juveniles.
7. Buffalo head or lionhead cichlid
Steatocranus casuarius comes from the Congo system. It needs oxygenated water, appropriate flow and sheltered resting sites, rather than a generic Malawi arrangement. Its species profile describes its bottom-resting behavior and cave spawning. Protect a pair’s territory without trapping other bottom-dwellers beside it.
8. Blue dolphin
Cyrtocara moorii is a large Malawi cichlid that needs sand, open space and a suitable group arrangement. The species profile lists adults reaching about 25 cm standard length. Plan a long, broad adult aquarium rather than a standard small mbuna tank.
9. Maingano
Pseudotropheus cyaneorhabdos, formerly placed in Melanochromis, is an aggressive striped mbuna. It is often sold as electric blue johanni, though true johanni is a different species. The johanni-versus-maingano guide explains the identification problem and adult setup.
10. Malawi eye-biter
Dimidiochromis compressiceps is a large fish-eating predator, not a general community fish. Its species profile lists about 25 cm standard length. Adult space and prey size matter more than whether another fish comes from the same lake.
11. Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher is a river cichlid that breeds in caves. A pair can become strongly territorial while guarding fry. Read the kribensis care guide instead of applying a high-pH mbuna recipe.
12. Venustus or giraffe cichlid
Nimbochromis venustus is a predatory Malawi species with an ambush-feeding strategy. Its species account warns against treating it as a general Malawi-community resident. Small juveniles do not indicate a small adult fish.
13. Sunshine peacock
“Sunshine” overlaps with several yellow peacock trade names. Request a scientific name and source records rather than assuming one locality or species. Treat it as part of the peacock identification problem, not a separate fish that can automatically breed alongside other peacocks.
14. Frontosa
Cyphotilapia frontosa and the related C. gibberosa are large, social Tanganyika predators. They need a very large group aquarium and stable mineral-rich alkaline water. Use the frontosa guide for adult planning rather than housing one indefinitely in a juvenile-sized tank.
15. Fairy cichlid
Neolamprologus brichardi forms breeding colonies that can expand their territory as broods accumulate. Its species account describes the older offspring’s role in brood care. Small body size does not make a colony safe with every Tanganyika neighbor.
Build the setup around the chosen species
Base tank size on adult footprint, group needs and separate territories. Discard gallons-per-inch rules. Match temperature, pH, GH and KH to the species, test replacement water and use supplements only where measurements show a need. Lake Malawi and Tanganyika are freshwater systems; marine salt is not a substitute for mineral balance.
Finish the nitrogen cycle, maintain zero ammonia and nitrite, and provide effective filtration and oxygenation. Monitor nitrate and use regular partial water changes. Feed an appropriate complete food; grazers and predators need different dietary emphasis.
Secure rocks against digging, provide refuges with escape routes and quarantine additions. Separate fish that cannot feed or escape repeated aggression. Adding more fish to dilute bullying increases waste and does not guarantee safety. Keep documented breeding lines apart and arrange homes for fry before encouraging reproduction.
