So you have a 55-gallon tank and are considering building out a cichlid aquarium. With a tank this size, there are plenty of different types of cichlids you can successfully care for. African Cichlids, Dwarf Cichlids, and New World Cichlids can all make potential tank additions, but which should you choose?. In this comprehensive african cichlid fish tank guide, we'll walk you through everything, step-by-step. From choosing the perfect tank to managing their famous feisty personalities, you'll get the expert advice you need to build a stunning and healthy cichlid habitat. Let's build that dream tank together!
Tank Size Selection: Bigger Is Always Better Tank dimensions matter more than raw volume when housing African cichlids. These fish are primarily mid-level and bottom-level swimmers, so longer tanks with larger footprints outperform tall, narrow designs. For Mbuna (rock-dwelling aggressive cichlids): A 55-gallon tank works as an absolute minimum for small community groups, though most.. Every new African cichlid keeper asks this question (and it's understandable why). One of the first things that you learn when keeping African cichlids is that overstocked tanks are essential in reducing their aggression. And so, how many African cichlids in a 55 gallon tank? Let's just cut to the chase; there is no perfect number and there are numerous calculations!