Umbrella Cichlid
Cichlidae sp.
The Umbrella Cichlid (Cichlidae sp.) is a peaceful amazon soft-acid dwarf cichlid fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 70 litres (18 US gallons), water held at 75-81°F, and a pH of 7.8-9.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa (Lake Tanganyika)
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Umbrella Cichlid Tank Setup
Give them at least 70 litres (18 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 75-81°F and a pH around 7.8-9.
What Do Umbrella 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.
Umbrella Cichlid Tank Mates
Lake Tanganyika cichlid - needs even harder, more alkaline water than Malawi species; very sensitive to poor water quality despite being genuinely hardy once established. Forms stable pair or small-group bonds rather than loose shoals - do not disturb an established group by adding/removing individuals casually. The Umbrella Cichlid is peaceful amazon soft-acid dwarf cichlid, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. 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 Umbrella 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.
Umbrella Cichlid - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Umbrella Cichlids need?
Umbrella Cichlids need a tank of at least 70 litres (18 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 Umbrella Cichlids need?
Keep them at 75-81°F with a pH of 7.8-9, 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 Umbrella Cichlids eat?
Umbrella 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 Umbrella Cichlids good for beginners?
Umbrella Cichlids are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
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.
Check Umbrella Cichlid against any other fish → Compares water parameters, predation risk, fin nipping and tank size, and draws both at life size.
Fish to avoid mixing with Umbrella Cichlids
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Black Skirt TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
