How to Mix African Cichlid Fish in an Aquarium

African Cichlids are a popular aquarium fish due to their wide variety of vibrant colors and patterns, hardiness and engaging personalities. They are also known for their aggression, which can make mixing new African Cichlids into an existing aquarium population challenging. Due to their aggression, African Cichlids cannot be kept with all species of tropical fish, and some aquarists even recommend keeping only African Cichlids species of the same African lake together. Before mixing African Cichlid fish into an aquarium, make sure all species are compatible.

  1. African Cichlid Personality

    • African Cichlids are known for their aggressive personalities. Some species are more aggressive than others, but as a whole, Cichlids are more aggressive than other species of tropical fish. Before adding African Cichlids to your aquarium, do some research to make sure they're compatible with the species of tropical fish you already have, even if you already have African Cichlids, as some species are not compatible.

    Aquarium Preparation

    • Before you mix new African Cichlids into your aquarium, take some measures to make the introduction as stress free as possible. Doing a water change will subdue them, as they are likely to hide, and rearranging the rock work will keep them busy claiming new territory, diverting their attention from the new fish. You can also add some aquarium salt to the tank, which will make it easier for your African Cichlids to breathe and further reduce stress.

    Introduction

    • With the new African Cichlids still in the transport bag, place the bag in the aquarium to allow the new fish to become accustomed to the temperature. After 10 minutes, add some of your aquarium's water to the bag. After 10 more minutes, add some more of the aquarium's water to the bag. Then after 10 more minutes, release your new fish into the aquarium. You can also feed your other fish, which will help divert their attention from the new African Cichlids and lessen aggressive behavior. Introducing new fish at night or with the lights off will also lessen aggression.

    Aggression Control

    • There is no way to directly control your African Cichlids' aggression, but there are things you can do to make them less aggressive and more docile. Try lowering the water temperature slightly, but go no lower than 74 F (the water should always be kept between 74 F and 82 F). Learn how to identify males and females, and limit the number of males in your tank to no more than one for every three or four females. Do not overstock the tank, and make sure there is enough food to eliminate their need to compete for meals.