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This group collects the larger Central and South American cichlids: angelfish, discus, severums, oscars, convicts, firemouths, Jack Dempseys and more. They are intelligent fish that recognize their owner and care for their young, but they also grow big and can be territorial.
The range of temperament is wide. Angelfish, severums and discus can live with robust schooling fish, although adult angelfish will eat small tetras such as neons. Convicts, Jack Dempseys and jewel cichlids are aggressive, especially while breeding, and oscars eat anything that fits in their mouth.
- Tank size: be realistic. Angelfish need tall tanks of 40-55 gallons (150-200 L) for a group; oscars need 75 gallons (300 L) or more.
- Filtration: large cichlids produce a lot of waste. Plan on a canister filter rated well above the tank volume.
- Water: most do well at 76-82 °F (24-28 °C); discus want warmer, soft water and very frequent water changes.
Blood parrots are a man-made hybrid with a deformed mouth that limits how they eat; choose them knowingly. Above all, buy the tank for the adult fish, not for the juvenile you see in the store.
American cichlids
| Species | Min. liters | Size | Temp. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Discus Symphysodon aequifasciatus | 79 gal (300 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 82–88 °F (28–31 °C) | Difficult |
 Oscar Astronotus ocellatus | 106 gal (400 L) | 11.8 in (30 cm) | 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Blood parrot cichlid Amphilophus hybrid | 53 gal (200 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) | Easy |
 Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata | 40 gal (150 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Firemouth cichlid Thorichthys meeki | 53 gal (200 L) | 5.9 in (15 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Easy |
 Geophagus altifrons Geophagus altifrons | 159 gal (600 L) | 9.8 in (25 cm) | 79–86 °F (26–30 °C) | Moderate |
 Jack Dempsey Rocio octofasciata | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 72–84 °F (22–29 °C) | Moderate |
 Jewel cichlid Hemichromis bimaculatus | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
 Severum Heros severus | 79 gal (300 L) | 7.9 in (20 cm) | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) | Moderate |
No species match those filters.