African Cichlid (Mbuna)

African Cichlid (Mbuna)

Pseudotropheus sp.

Family: Cichlidae • Origin: Africa

African Mbuna cichlids are intensely colorful and fiercely territorial. Keep in overstocked, all-male groups with lots of rock to break line of sight.

Min Tank
55 gal
Max Size
6"
Temperature
76-82°F
pH
7.5-8.8
Lifespan
8 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
15-30 dGH
aggressiveintermediateherbivorefin-nipper ⚠️

Care Tips

  • • Only keep with other African cichlids
  • • Overstock to spread aggression
  • • Needs lots of rocks for territories
  • • Hard alkaline water ONLY
  • • Do NOT feed high-protein — causes bloat

Feeding: Spirulina flakes, algae wafers, vegetables. NO high-protein foods (causes bloat).

Compatibility Notes: Only keep with other African cichlids. Overstock to spread aggression. Need rock formations.

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size
55 gallons
Recommended Tank Size
75 gallons
Swimming Level
middle

Water Parameters

Temperature
76–82°F
pH Range
7.5–8.8
Hardness (dGH)
15–30
Water Type
freshwater

Behavior & Temperament

Temperament
aggressive
Aggression Level
4/5
Schooling
No
Territorial
Yes
Fin Nipper
Yes ⚠️
Predatory
No
Diet Type
herbivore
Growth Rate
moderate

Only keep with other African cichlids. Overstock to spread aggression. Need rock formations.

Breeding

Breeding Type
mouth brooder
Breeding Difficulty
easy
Lifespan
8 years

Ideal For

55 galloncichlid tank

Compatible Tank Mates

View all →
Bristlenose Pleco

Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus cirrhosus

Easy
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful5"
Oscar

Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Medium
74-81°FpH 6-875+ gal
aggressive14"
Buenos Aires Tetra

Buenos Aires Tetra

Hyphessobrycon anisitsi

Easy
64-82°FpH 6-820+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
Blue Gourami

Blue Gourami

Trichopodus trichopterus

Easy
72-82°FpH 6-830+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Peacock Cichlid

Peacock Cichlid

Aulonocara sp.

Easy
76-82°FpH 7.5-8.555+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Mosquitofish

Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis

Easy
60-80°FpH 6.5-810+ gal
semi-aggressive2.5"

Similar Species

Salvini Cichlid

Salvini Cichlid

Cichlasoma salvini

Medium
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
aggressive8"
Convict Cichlid

Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Easy
72-82°FpH 6.5-840+ gal
aggressive6"
Jewel Cichlid

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis bimaculatus

Easy
72-82°FpH 6-7.540+ gal
aggressive6"
Tropheus Moorii

Tropheus Moorii

Tropheus moorii

Hard
77-82°FpH 8-920+ gal
aggressiveschooling 12+5"