5 Best South American Cichlids for Beginners

Cichlids are a type of tropical fish that have over 2,000 species and considered as one of the largest families among other species of fish. If you consider including cichclidae in your tank, you should start with the easiest species and work your way toward more difficult species. Cichlids can be difficult to care for because they are aggressive, grow quickly and need specific water parameters to survive.

But fear not, cichlids can be temperamental but most species are very easy to care for. Below we discuss the 5 South American species of Cichlids that are absolutely perfect for the begineer. These species can be kept together, however cichlids are territorial and should be monitored constantly to ensure aggression is minimised. It is always best to add the fish to the aquarium at the same time or restructure the aquarium upon adding new cichlids. This allows the fish to spread out and determine their own territories in the aquarium and greatly reduce the chance of conflict.

Below we discus the easiest South American cichlids to keep in the aquarium. Cichlids are often broken up into South American and South African varieties. The two should never be kept together as this greatly increases the probability of agression.

South American Cichclids can be found in Colombia and Chile. They live in different types of water, but they tend to thrive in in acidic to neutral water.

You can even find South American cichlids in brackish water that is partly saltwater and fresh water. They are considered as tropical fish due to the warmer temperatures of these climates and are often spotted closer to the equator. Most Cichlids are carnivores but will regularly enjoy a diet of omnivorous flakes and mixed foods. These are recommended and will aid in the coloration of your South American Cichlids.

1. Cockatoo Cichlid

A native from Amazon River Basin, this species can live in a dimly lit tank with water of 5.0 to 7.0 pH. The water temperature should be 75-80F, and the tank should be filled with 20 gallon of water for a pair of rams. The Cockatoo cichlid has a stunning red-orange fin that runs down its back. Its a beautiful and easy cichlid to keep.

The Cockatoo cichlid is generally quite easy to source in the LFS but may have to be purchased from other hobbyists in some parts of the world. It is often described to look like the more common Kribensis Cichlid but with a flame orange fin set.

1. Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

2. Severum

It can be found at the Amazon, and it grows from 5 to 10” long. They thrive in water with lower pH and can live along with small tetras, Oscars and arowanas. If you’ll keep a pair of severums, you should have 75 gallon tank.

3. German Blue Ram

This species is a native of Orinoco River Basin. It is considered as dwarf cichlid because it only grows 2” long. A pair of German Blue Rams would thrive in an aquarium of at least 15 gallons of water. They should be housed either female only or a single pair of female and a male. This will avoid conflict in the group and reduce the possibility of fin-nipping (Blue Rams have beautiful decorative fins).

4. Rainbow cichlids

These species have intense colors and adults are more beautiful than the young ones. The rainbow cichlids grow up to 7” long and can live in higher pH and temperature of water as they naturally live in the wild.

5. Blue Acara

The blue acara is very common in Venezuela as well as in Trinidad and Tobago. They don’t grow longer, but they can destroy live plants and are also active diggers.

Black Ghost Knifefish – Care, Diet & Breeding

Overview

The Black Ghost Knifefish is an unusual freshwater aquarium fish that originates from South America near the Amazonian Basin. It belongs to the Ghost Knife Fish family and is capable of both producing and sensing electric signals in the water.

They are very popular in the aquarium hobby due to their strange shape and movement. The Black Ghost Knifefish navigates itself by rippling its head to tail underside fin in a constant rhythm. Aside from the two white strings on its tail and a white stripe on its nose, the Black Ghost Knife is jet black without scales. Unknown to most beginner hobbyists the Black Ghost Knife Fish demands a very large aquarium and can continue to grow in size until it reaches its maximum length of 20”.

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Swordtail Fish – Diet, Care and Breeding

Overview

The swordtail is a very popular species of aquarium fish and it’s a great choice for the beginner aquarist. This is because it is tolerant to a range of conditions and has a very peaceful temperament. As the name suggests swordtails have a long, thin, elongated lower tail. Swordtails are livebearers, meaning they will give birth to live fry instead of eggs. Swordtails readily breed when kept in an aquarium of mixed sex, requiring little intervention. The young are very easy to rear and can be raised in the same aquarium as the adults.
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Clown Loach – Care, Diet and Breeding

Overview

Clown Loach, scientifically named as Botia Macracantha, is one of the must-have species among freshwater fish. The Clown Loach is good at attacking nuisance snails and intruders that could otherwise cause widespread damage. This friendly but shy species of fish is also known as scale-less fish – the extra small scales embedded on its skin are difficult to see with the human eye. Clown Loaches are meek and are generally a great community fish. It should be noted that they can be a little aggressive when provoked and should be monitored for the first few days upon addition to their new home.

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Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlid – Care, Diet & Breeding

Overview

The Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlid (Appistogramma cacatuoides) originates from South American streams and pools. In local fish stores it is often called the Big Mouth Apistogramma, the Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlid or a number of other colloquial names. This breed has a beautiful elongated body with radiant red and black dorsal fins. It is commonly available from LFS or other hobbyists as of 2017.

The double full red cockatoo cichlid is very active and can be somewhat aggressive to other, smaller species. When housed with other similarly sized cichlids they are generally more placid and gentle. Aside from this, its beautiful coloration makes it a target from fin nippers and aggressive fish. It is a good idea to keep them separated from larger more threatening species.

Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlid Parameters

Temperature – 72 – 86 F

pH – 5.0 – 7.0

Hardness – 7GH

Max Size – 3 1/2″

Min tank size – 30 gallons

Diet –carnivore

Care Level – moderate

Temperament – semi-aggressive

Cost – ~$10 (2017)

Other Notes & Facts

Due to it’s maximum size, a tall and wide aquarium is necessary if you plan on housing a Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlid. Due to their South American origin, they are readily compatible with plants and do well in planted aquariums and aquascapes. When kept in groups the Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlids will establish ownership over tank space and can become territorial. It is recommended the aquarium is at least 30 gallons in size with 55 gallons being a good benchmark for most cichlids.

It is also advisable to put a fine gravel or sand in the aquarium. Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlids are not readily suited to bare bottom aquariums. Fine gravel will satisfy the fish’s need to conceal themselves as well as play an integral role in courting and mating (the male will often excavate ‘sand caves’ to attract the opposite sex). Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlids are playful and will enjoy soft, sand based substrates. Seachem ‘Cichlid Sand’ or any fine aragonite substrate are a great choice.

Breeding

Courting from the males will take place a number of weeks before eggs are visible in the aquarium. Males use their brilliant color and ready made dens to attract female counterparts. Once the Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlid Female lays its eggs in caves its male counterpart will then fertilize the eggs and leave. At this point the female cockatoo cichlid is left to take care of the eggs and raise the young. Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlids are an extremely fast growing species. Amazingly the fry will be capable to swim freely on their own in just seven to ten days and at this time, feed the fry with brine shrimp. Newly hatched baby brine shrimp are a suitable size for the fry. Sexual maturity will take place in about five months from this date.

Feeding

The Double Full Red Cockatoo is a carnivore and its diet consists of a variety of food ranging from frozen to live shrimps and worms. Flake food is also excellent for cichlids because they are packed with necessary vitamins. A broad mix of foods will ensure continued health for your cichlid and the best coloration.