Field Guide

African Cichlids

African cichlids from the Great Rift Valley lakes are renowned for their explosive colour. Browse our species guides below.

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Natural-history-style illustration of the Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus).

Yellow Lab

Labidochromis caeruleus

Territorial · Beginner
Natural-history-style illustration of the Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher).

Kribensis

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Territorial · Beginner
Natural-history-style illustration of the Acei Cichlid (Pseudotropheus acei).

Acei Cichlid

Pseudotropheus acei

Semi-aggressive · Beginner
Natural-history-style illustration of the Demasoni Cichlid (Pseudotropheus demasoni).

Demasoni Cichlid

Pseudotropheus demasoni

Aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Red Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia estherae).

Red Zebra Cichlid

Maylandia estherae

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Rusty Cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae).

Rusty Cichlid

Iodotropheus sprengerae

Territorial · Beginner
Natural-history-style illustration of the OB Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara sp. OB (hybrid)).

OB Peacock Cichlid

Aulonocara sp. OB

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Flavescent Peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti).

Flavescent Peacock

Aulonocara stuartgranti

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa).

Frontosa Cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus).

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis bimaculatus

Aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Buffalo Head Cichlid (Steatocranus casuarius).

Buffalo Head Cichlid

Steatocranus casuarius

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Venustus Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus).

Venustus Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Semi-aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Electric Blue Hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri).

Electric Blue Hap

Sciaenochromis fryeri

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Fairy Cichlid (Neolamprologus brichardi).

Fairy Cichlid

Neolamprologus brichardi

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Lemon Cichlid (Neolamprologus leleupi).

Lemon Cichlid

Neolamprologus leleupi

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Compressiceps Cichlid (Altolamprologus compressiceps).

Compressiceps Cichlid

Altolamprologus compressiceps

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Jumbo Cyprichromis (Cyprichromis sp. “Leptosoma Jumbo”).

Jumbo Cyprichromis

Cyprichromis sp. "Leptosoma Jumbo"

Peaceful · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Black Calvus Cichlid (Altolamprologus calvus).

Black Calvus Cichlid

Altolamprologus calvus

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the African Butterfly Cichlid (Anomalochromis thomasi).

African Butterfly Cichlid

Anomalochromis thomasi

Peaceful · Beginner
Natural-history-style illustration of the Bumblebee Cichlid (Pseudotropheus crabro).

Bumblebee Cichlid

Pseudotropheus crabro

Aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Julidochromis Marlieri (Julidochromis marlieri).

Julidochromis Marlieri

Julidochromis marlieri

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Red Empress Cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus).

Red Empress Cichlid

Protomelas taeniolatus

Semi-aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Electric Blue Maingano Cichlid (Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos).

Electric Blue Maingano Cichlid

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Livingston’s Cichlid (Nimbochromis livingstonii).

Livingston's Cichlid

Nimbochromis livingstonii

Semi-aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Auratus Cichlid (Melanochromis auratus).

Auratus Cichlid

Melanochromis auratus

Aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the White Spotted Cichlid (Tropheus duboisi).

White Spotted Cichlid

Tropheus duboisi

Aggressive · Advanced
Natural-history-style illustration of the Red Fin Kadango Cichlid (Copadichromis borleyi).

Red Fin Kadango Cichlid

Copadichromis borleyi

Peaceful · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Multifasciatus Shell Dweller (Neolamprologus multifasciatus).

Multifasciatus Shell Dweller

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Territorial · Beginner
Natural-history-style illustration of the Five Barred Cichlid (Neolamprologus tretocephalus).

Five Barred Cichlid

Neolamprologus tretocephalus

Aggressive · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Golden Ornate Julie (Julidochromis ornatus).

Golden Ornate Julie

Julidochromis ornatus

Territorial · Intermediate
Natural-history-style illustration of the Chipokae Cichlid (Melanochromis chipokae).

Chipokae Cichlid

Melanochromis chipokae

Aggressive · Advanced
Natural-history-style illustration of the Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia callainos).

Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid

Maylandia callainos

Territorial · Intermediate