Rainbow Cichlid 5cm

Rainbow Cichlid

The Rainbow Cichlid is one of the most underrated Central American cichlids in the aquarium hobby. While other cichlids in the region might grab attention with size or aggression, the rainbow cichlid holds its own with stunning colouration, a peaceful temperament (for a cichlid), and adaptability that makes it a fantastic choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike.

The name Rainbow Cichlid really isn’t an exaggeration. These fish can display an amazing spectrum of colours across their body depending on mood, lighting, and breeding conditions. At a glance, they can have golden yellow sides, an orange belly, electric blue highlights around the face and fins, and a black horizontal band running from eye to tail. When in full breeding colour or feeling bold, those colours become even more saturated, making them look like a little firework drifting through the tank. Their body shape is more oval and compact, which gives them a sort of chunky, cartoonish charm that’s easy to fall in love with.

Breeding rainbow cichlids is relatively eas;y they are cave or flat surface spawners and form strong pair bonds. Males and females can be distinguished by size and fin shape, with males generally growing larger and having more extended dorsal and anal fins. Once a pair is formed, they’ll fiercely guard their territory, clean a spawning site, and lay dozens (if not hundreds) of eggs. Fry care is excellent, with both parents contributing to guarding and guiding the young, making them a fascinating fish to observe during their breeding cycle.

Tank Recommendations for your Rainbow Cichlid

Rainbow cichlids are active and intelligent, requiring a tank of at least 120 litres for a pair. Provide plenty of space and hiding places using rocks, driftwood, and hardy plants. They will appreciate a soft sandy substrate and benefit from slightly warmer temperatures between 24–28°C. Although they are adaptable, maintaining a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 will help mimic their natural Central American environment.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Rainbow cichlids are relatively peaceful for a cichlid, but can be territorial during spawning. They can be housed with a variety of tank mates as long as the other fish are not overly aggressive or small enough to be mistaken for food.

Usually Compatible

Firemouth cichlids, swordtails, larger tetras, rainbowfish, angelfish, bristlenose plecos, and corydoras.

Sometime Compatible

Convict cichlids, kribensis, and other semi-aggressive cichlids with caution, especially during breeding.

Rarely Compatible

Highly aggressive Central American species like Jack Dempseys, Green Terrors, or any large predatory fish.

Feeding your Rainbow Cichlid

Rainbow cichlids are a very easy fish to feed in the home aquarium hobby, like a lot of other cichlids, and will readily eat a wide range of food,s being both dry, fresh, and frozen. Their diet should contain good quality pellets with high contents of protein, but they will really eat anything. Feeding these fish once a day will be perfectly fine.