Family Reference
Cichlids
Cichlidae — African Rift, neotropical, and dwarf cichlid species: identification, behaviour, breeding, and water-chemistry requirements that defeat most beginner setups.
The Complete Cichlids Guide: African, Neotropical & Dwarf Species
Field reference to Cichlidae: taxonomy, identification, water chemistry, breeding modes, social systems.
Read the guide →Species & Profiles
All articles in this section
Discus vs Angelfish for a Soft-Water Community
Discus (Symphysodon spp.) vs angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare): water parameters, tank size, cost, and community compatibility compared — and why they should not share a tank.
Apistogramma vs German Blue Ram
Apistogramma and German blue rams share a shelf and a niche — but diverge sharply on parameter tolerance, social structure, hardiness, and sourcing reliability. This comparison shows who each one is actually for.
Why Is My Angelfish Chasing Tankmates?
Angelfish chasing is usually pair-formation or breeding aggression — normal behaviour in maturing Pterophyllum scalare. Learn the cause, when to act, and how to prevent it.
Why Is My Ram Cichlid Hiding?
Ram cichlids hide when temperature, conductivity, or social conditions fall outside their tolerance. Nine causes explained with diagnostic steps and fixes, from hormone-compromised farm stock to breeding behaviour.
Why Is My Discus Losing Color?
Why discus (Symphysodon spp.) lose colour: diagnostic guide covering social stress, water-chemistry mismatch, Hexamita, gill flukes, and bacterial infection with targeted treatments.
Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki): Care & Bluff Displays
Field profile of Thorichthys meeki (firemouth cichlid): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
Tropheus duboisi: Tanganyikan Care, Diet & Bloat Prevention
Field profile of Tropheus duboisi (Tropheus duboisi): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
Apistogramma agassizii: Care, Colour Forms & Cave Spawning
Field profile of Apistogramma agassizii (Agassiz dwarf cichlid): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Frontosa (Cyphotilapia frontosa/gibberosa): Tanganyikan Care
Field profile of Cyphotilapia frontosa and C. gibberosa (frontosa): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare): Care, Pairs & Altum Confusion
Field profile of Pterophyllum scalare (angelfish): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
Green Terror (Andinoacara rivulatus): Care & Aggression Management
Field profile of Andinoacara rivulatus (green terror): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
Severum (Heros efasciatus): Care, Size & Peaceful Cichlid Behaviour
Field profile of Heros efasciatus (severum): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus): Care & Ram Comparison
Field profile of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Bolivian ram): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata): Care & Territorial Planning
Field profile of Rocio octofasciata (jack Dempsey): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus): Tank Size, Filtration & Behaviour
Field profile of Astronotus ocellatus (oscar): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.
German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi): Warm Soft-Water Care
Field profile of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (German blue ram): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Discus (Symphysodon spp.): Care & Blackwater Conditions
Field profile of Symphysodon aequifasciatus and S. discus (discus): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Electric Yellow Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus): Mbuna Care
Field profile of Labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellow cichlid): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata): Care & Breeding Control
Field profile of Amatitlania nigrofasciata (convict cichlid): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Apistogramma cacatuoides: Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Care
Field profile of Apistogramma cacatuoides (cockatoo dwarf cichlid): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding.
Demasoni Cichlid (Chindongo demasoni): Care & Stocking Strategy
Field profile of Chindongo demasoni (demasoni cichlid): identification, water parameters, aquarium husbandry, behaviour, breeding, and common failure points.