Centrarchids & Cichlids as Tank-Mates in the Same Aquarium

Centrarchids, also called sunfish, and cichlids are common aquarium fish. They are both fresh water fish. However, it's probably best that they not be kept together in a common tank. Most cichlids grow much bigger than the sunfish --- the peacock cichlid can grow to 2 feet long, and depending on the species cichlids can be territorial or aggressive, especially during the mating season. They also have different requirements for optimal aquarium habitats.

  1. Sunfish

    • In the wild sunfish are one of the most popular sport fishes, and some can grow to about a foot long. The dorsal fins are joined, and the caudal fin is usually forked. They're indigenous to the waters of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, but because of their popularity with anglers they've been introduced into other areas. There are 32 species of sunfish in North America.

    Cichlids

    • Cichlids are noted for their elaborate breeding behavior and bright colors. They're a widespread and abundant family of fish that comes in many colors and shapes. They not only tend to be aggressive in an aquarium, but they also like to dig up aquatic plants. Several species have been introduced for weed control and pond culture and this has had an adverse effect on some native fishes.

    Sunfish Preferences

    • The black-banded sunfish grows to 4 inches long and likes the water cold, from 39 to 72 degrees F. It also prefers moderately hard to hard water, or water with some minerals dissolved in it, which is refreshed occasionally with new water. The sunfish also likes good light, a deep sandy bottom and an ample amount of vegetation. It takes live food. Sunfishes are nonaggressive and can be kept with other peaceable surface dwelling fish that aren't too large. Ideally, sunfish should be kept in a species tank.

    Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid and Ramirez's Dwarf Cichlid

    • Both of these fish originated in South America. The Agassiz likes the water a bit cooler than the Ramirez, from 66 to 77 degrees F, and the Ramirez likes it up to 82 degrees for breeding. They both like the water to be slightly acid and soft. They like vegetation in three quarters of the tank and lots of hiding places. They both take live food, though the Agassiz is omnivorous. They are both territorial. The Agassiz grows to 3 inches long; the Ramirez is a little shorter.

    The Fire Mouth and Banded Cichlid

    • The fire mouth and banded cichlid are different looking fish, with the fire-mouth being longer and the banded being rounder. The fire mouth likes the water from 68 to 73 degrees F while the banded likes it from 72 to 81 degrees F. The pH of the water doesn't matter. The banded cichlid grows to 8 inches long while the fire mouth grows up to 6 inches. They both are omnivorous, and the banded likes earth worms and even small fish. The banded may be kept with other non aggressive species but needs to be moved to a species tank during the mating season when it becomes territorial and aggressive. The fire-mouth cichlid is also territorial and should really only be kept with its own species.