7 best beginner Beginner Cichlids. Hardy + peaceful + widely available species perfect for new aquarists.
Most peaceful Mbuna. Hardy. Group of 6+ in 55g+.
Mid-water swimmer. Peaceful for Mbuna.
Tough Central American. Will breed in any setup.
Hardier than the German blue ram. Peaceful South American dwarf.
Striking red throat display. Semi-aggressive but manageable.
Beautiful + manageable for first cichlid. Pair-bonds.
Peaceful + larger cichlid. Vegetarian-leaning.
Browse all beginner pick guides. Pair with step-by-step setup tutorials + the stocking calculator for a complete first build.