African Butterfly Cichlid
Cichlidae sp.
The African Butterfly Cichlid (Cichlidae sp.) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 95 litres (25 US gallons), water held at 73-81°F, and a pH of 6.5-8.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / South America (varies)
- Africa
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
African Butterfly Cichlid Tank Setup
Give them at least 95 litres (25 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 73-81°F and a pH around 6.5-8.5.
What Do African Butterfly Cichlids Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
African Butterfly Cichlid Tank Mates
May nip fins; avoid with long-finned or slow tankmates. Predatory; may eat small fish or inverts. The African Butterfly Cichlid is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are African Butterfly Cichlids Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
African Butterfly Cichlid - frequently asked questions
What size tank do African Butterfly Cichlids need?
African Butterfly Cichlids need a tank of at least 95 litres (25 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do African Butterfly Cichlids need?
Keep them at 73-81°F with a pH of 6.5-8.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do African Butterfly Cichlids eat?
African Butterfly Cichlids are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are African Butterfly Cichlids good for beginners?
African Butterfly Cichlids are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with African Butterfly Cichlids
- Mixing with long-finned fish - African Butterfly Cichlids will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with African Butterfly Cichlids
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Neon TetraIncompatible temperament or care requirements
