Vividly coloured and highly varied , cichlids are some of the most truly exotic fish you can keep in your aquarium. They are noted for their intelligence and are highly sociable, making them very rewarding fish to interact with. They are also comparatively easy to breed.
The first thing you need to be aware of when keeping cichlids is that they can get big - in the case of some species, up to three feet long!
Because of this, and because they are mostly community fish, you'll need to have plenty of space for them. You'll also need to make sure you get the ph of the water right, as some species of cichlids come from environments with unusual water chemistry and will struggle in a neutral aquarium. Most species are happiest when they have plenty of places to hide, especially enjoying caves.
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