By the way - if you want to see more amazing fish definitely check out the fish room tours we have done. Here is the playlist: kzread.info/head/PL79yWtqvNd3WVb99ZvPbDhXwPOSOeO3am Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

@pauljohnson2534

4 жыл бұрын

My favorite 2 species Jaguar ( Central American) and Hemichromis Elongatus (West African) I kept them together for a long time and despite the difference in size the Elongatus held his own .

@sandravaldez995

4 жыл бұрын

Can I get my rocks & branches from my yard or hardware store or only from aquarium stores?

@mohamedelbouaiadi2899

2 жыл бұрын

Q

The best Cichlid is the one you own.

@jhyaceecortez9583

4 жыл бұрын

Gary M thats right....

@paddypeet3878

3 жыл бұрын

I was about to throw fella shade at the African cichlids but my friend being the first comment I make of 2021, I agree with you whole heartily

@Emilyherreramiramontes

3 жыл бұрын

The most wholesome comment.

@torrinscichlids

2 жыл бұрын

Oscar ;) jk the best cichlid is the one you own best comment I would say for sure. The comment should have a lot more likes

@2ssrs950

2 жыл бұрын

Well said fellow fish keeper

I love my Oscar the most because he's basically just a water based dog. The Dempsey is great because of the coloring, and the Convict for that amazing stripped pattern. Basically a water Zebra. Love these guys.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

All cool fish!

@goatdezsi3527

4 жыл бұрын

Oscars are my favourite too

@williamdavis9735

3 жыл бұрын

I have a convict a Jack Dempsey and jewels in my tank

@shawnmcquate4178

2 жыл бұрын

I had this exact combo in high school with jewels and blue acara

@bflo1000

Жыл бұрын

@@williamdavis9735 The Jewel is an African, so they have different water conditions.

Even though I'm African, I actually prefer American Cichlids. They have more research on them and they are more monogamous parents. You could say they also have more personality

@ariskavallaris4276

4 жыл бұрын

from the malawi cichlids maybe yes...from tanganyikans i dont think so

@shxzwxng1972

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@voultronix761

3 жыл бұрын

South african here , I agree !

"Two mutations away from being able to talk to their owner." Lol. Some fish are truly smart.

@jimsvo4486

3 жыл бұрын

I must use that two mutations away sometime since I have two small Oscars.

American. Green Terror, Geo's, Apisto's, Electric blue Acara etc

I love Severums, the gold variety is such a beauty.

@makiarn777

4 жыл бұрын

Zachary360 they are my favorite as well!

@newerafrican

4 жыл бұрын

Some day (wishing)!!

@chowdhurywilddenindiabatanagar

2 жыл бұрын

I also keep severum,gold,large.... In my channel....

@ashleygarnish9995

2 жыл бұрын

Are they aggressive

@chowdhurywilddenindiabatanagar

2 жыл бұрын

@@ashleygarnish9995 depends on species

I like both. African -Kribensis American -Apistogramma -Bolivian Ram -German Blue Ram

@thomasashe2681

4 жыл бұрын

I agree. But my list is slightly different. African - Kribensis (pelvicachromis pulcher) - Neolamprologus birchardi - Neolamprologus caudopunctatus - Anomalochromis thomasi American - German Blue Rams - Philippine Blue Angels - Discus - Apistogramma cacatuoides - Apistogramma borelli These are just the cichlids that I like. I like other non-cichlid fish too.

@SP-qs4yh

3 жыл бұрын

I don’t like kribs they cause more problems than good. They are should not be called peaceful even if they are not breeding...

@thomaswolsey2319

3 жыл бұрын

@@SP-qs4yh I like Kribs. But you are right they are very aggressive.

Electric Blue Accra - nuff said😉😃😃

@orionmoonsamy3408

3 жыл бұрын

Me too

I highly appreciate the fact that you were unbiased when analyzing this topic. Well done! 💪 Greetings from Costa Rica 👌

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I love all cichlids. I've had angelfish, discus, mikrogeophagus ramirezi, kribensis, aulonocara, venustus, copadichromis borleyi etc., and love them all. I do hope to try the longfin geophagus one day.

Thank you so much for this video So much years of knowledge condensed I’ve learned a lot not many videos on KZread like this one

😀 Thanks for a detailed video, I thought you'd not go into depth but you did and i did enjoy knowing what fish are possible for the people who have a space constraint.... Thank you!!!!

I'm still new to the hobby but I'm learning so much from you and the KGT team. Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge

@PrimeTimeAquatics

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Good to hear

I can't choose either! When I get my own house and I have enough money I would have a 150 gallon peacock/hap African tank and a 125 gallon south American tank. Thats my dream, only 2 tanks, but they would be amazing.

South american cichlids every day. From discus to geophagus to green terror to Oscar. So many varieties and so much personality

Hey Jason. My favourites at the moment are Kribensis, but let me explain....I have a breeding pair and it is just fascinating watching them guard the cave. When mum goes off for something to eat, dad will come down to the cave entrance until she returns. They had about 25 fry and the most bizarre thing ever is watching them take the fry out for a swim and to feed. It's like watching a duck with ducklings following in a line. After 15-20 minutes they all trek back to the cave, and then about 6 hours later, do it all again. Without a doubt the best parenting have ever seen in fish. Best wishes from Manchester, England

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

I know! They are so interesting to watch!

My favorite is a Flowerhorn. As you pointed out they are very affectionate, almost like a puppy, the wife even has grown to love ours.

Kind of fall in the same boat as you Jason. My Malawi tank is my favorite tank, so many people think it’s saltwater, but my favorite fish is my pair of Gold Vieja Apistogramma. Great work as always 👍

your channel and the king of diy channel are my most favourite ones on youtube. i never miss a video since the day i have subscribed.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

That's good company to be in. : -) Appreciate you being here!

Beautiful video with so many Cichlids ... Wow , the colors are magnificent .. Tks for sharing

I love this channel it’s so calming lol

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for being here.

Hello, just found your channel and I love the Central and South American cichlids...thanks for the great content!!!

Central South amrican for me! My favourites being a couple that didn't get a shout out it the video being the electric blue acara and FireMouth Cichlid, underrated fish that dont require a massive tank. However I have admired african chiclids from a far and would love to keep them someday but coming from a softwater area I always feel I would have issues

okay dam, this guy makes such insightful points and I can tell he actually thinks about the topic prior to the video and not just recording surface level babble while on camera. This quality shows!

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate you watching!

Thats difficult... i love my Malawis, Tanganjikans and bichirs. But i also love my angelfish and dwarfcichlids.

Great video. I've been in the hobby 40+ years and I love both for all the reasons you spoke on. The Red Oscar and the Gold Severum are 2 of my all time favorites. But for about 12 years now I have been breeding tanganyikans and Brichardi ,Leulpi, regani's, man that's where my heart.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Tanganyikans have a way of capturing people!

I've kept south American, central American, lake Malawi, and lake Tanganyikan cichlids. They're all great fish. The most rewarding experience I've ever had with any cichlid was getting wild caught brown discus to trust me enough to eat out of my hand.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

That's cool!

I'm a fan of American cichlids. One of my favorites is Cichlasoma festa!! I plan on keeping a few geophagus red head tapajos soon. Love the videos. Keep up the good work.

This satisfies my cichlid obsession. More videos like these please!

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help. : -)

Green Terrors are probably my favorite but I love all SA and CA cichlids. They get larger and the personalities are awesome.

It amazing how many different kinds of cichlids are out there. All different colors and looks

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

I know! You could spend a lifetime trying to keep them all.

Electric blue acara are my favourite! The faces they give me..... awww

@simonmoylan4014

11 күн бұрын

they are one of the best as far as aggressive goes

I love african cichlids, Aesthetically they remind me of the devonian period. I named one ancient. I never knew such small fish could demonstrate so much personality and wit. Very excited I went with my instinct and chose these guys over all the fish in the pet store. I only guessed by their structure that they would be smart and personable. Thanks for sharing your love and knowledge for these fish.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Jason Great Video!!!! My favorite has to be the Discuss! Love their demeanor and powerful quietness. I've had my 2 female Deep Red Melons for about 10 years now. They are very personable and just LOVE coming to the front of the 200 gal tank when they see me. They are both just a little over a foot perfectly rounded out. I only have about 30 Rummy Noses in with them. Heavily planted with 3 Amazon Swords and two large Anubis logged unto huge logs of driftwood. The substrate is all dark brown or black pebble rocks, boulders actually!!! LOL

@PrimeTimeAquatics

2 жыл бұрын

At some point Joanna is going to want discus. :-)

Tropheus! I love the colony dynamic of these fish.

Great video. Love the Electric Blue Acara and a few of the African Peacock Cichlids

Thank you for your kind of information Keep it up my best wishes are always with you

vieja synspilum I love mine such gorgeous colors

Love 'em all but I'm an Mbuna and Peacock guy for sure.... Great video....

Always a fun topic Jason seems like everyone loves to get involved in this conversation! My preference is American, but I still like African too. I have had both and I currently have Oscars,Severums & a Flowerhorn Tank. In the past I have probably had close to 100 different fish, maybe more?

Two that I learned to love was Amatitlania sajica (T-Bar) and Amatitlania siquia (Honduran Red Point)

South American anytime. Favourites being Sevrums, Discuss, Flowerhorn and Angels

Being the hobby for 35 years the shift has definitely been towards Africans for many years as being smaller and some of the colors is appealing to most new comers. Heck even at the GCCA swaps you are hard to seed to find centrals. I’ve got lyonsi, festae, and melanura fry currently that I can’t hardly give away but in 30 tanks you won’t find a single old world fish in my house.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Festae are so awesome!

I used to be heavy into African Cichlids, but had to be a slave to water changes. When the drought hit California, I had to let it go. I came back into the hobby and got into heavily planted tanks. Now I keep angels and bolivian rams and can go over a month without a water change. Love African cichlids and think they are more fun to watch, but being able to keep plants with the south Americans is a game changer for me.

@123bizzyboy

4 жыл бұрын

I am a slave to it lol but I love African Cichlids. A little stressful to keep at times with like you said having to be on it for water changes etc... And the aggression issue at times. Really need extra tanks on hand with Africans for various reasons. And expensive. But love them.

South/Central American cichlids are my preference so far. I really like apistogrammas, rams, and angelfish.

I love cichlids from both continents. I used to keep Frontosa, Yellow Labs, Kribs and Jack Dempsey in the same tank. I only had a problem when the Jacks started to reproduce and I had to remove them.

I love your awesome videos, enjoy them very much. Thank for your insight info, very knowledgeable and professional. My all-time favorite Cichlid is Salvini Cichlid, too bad I can't get it here in Singapore.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

I'm getting peacocks for a 190 Gallon tank and you just made me very happy. Maybe I could keep at least one Oscar there. I've had Oscars before and I absolutely love them! You don't get more personality in a fish than that.

I have an 65 gallon african and American mixed cichlid tank. My favorite for personality is my Kobalt Blue Zebra. As far as color I have a Texas that's absolutely stunning, and an orange Peacock with a purple/blue Irridescent shimmer.

I really love my mbuna tank. But... I've always wanted oscars and y'all have me in love with that altifrons!

I've always been an African Cichlid fan over the others. I've had Frontosa, Venustus, as centerpiece fish as well as smaller ones.

@Wildernessoutside

3 жыл бұрын

cracklingice I love the colour and markings for the frontosa

American cichlid hands down Dovii, Red Devil, are my favorites. Currently looking for some green terror

This is a very good video information on point 💯✔

My favorite are South and Central American I have 3 Texas hybrids and they are just stunning to look at.

Fossocromis rostratus I've had many different chiclids over the 45 years of keeping fish and my favorite is the malawi sand diver obviously fully mature.

Demasoni! Best cichlid hands down! Gorgeous and fun to watch!

@PrimeTimeAquatics

Жыл бұрын

But mean :-)

I don't yet own any cichlids, but the ones I have on my wishlist for the coming few years are shelldwellers (in large part thanks to you & your lowboy!), angelfish and maybe apistos or rams to go in a South American community tank. I'm tempted by Oscars, but I much prefer smaller tanks, I don't think I'd want to give up the space needed for the necessary tank to keep one in (twice the size of my largest community tank). But I learned about an entirely new one thanks to this video, and am going to look into Nannacara Anomala - so beautiful!

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Those are all great choices.

Never owned a ciclid other than Angels. Never expect to either but your videos are tempting me.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

They are really cool. : -)

My favorites are my Red Devils . They have so much personality!

I have tried the Africans but have been keeping South & Central American cichlids and for many years. I love the personalities and how friendly they can become. I keep Vieja, Chocolates, Nicaraguam, Neon Blue Acara, Geo Tapajos and they all eat out of my hand, I love them. Although I do find the dwarf cichlids and smaller ones like rams are more skittish

@PrimeTimeAquatics

3 жыл бұрын

I have some synspilum growing out right now that I', excited about!

@belveder69

3 жыл бұрын

@@PrimeTimeAquatics sadly mine is mating with my Nicaraguam which i gather is wrong ggrrr

U can see by my name 😂what I like a prefer..African cichlids...big variety and colors

I'm a planted tank/aquascaping guy, so the central and south American cichlids are the only ones I've kept, but those African cichlid colors sure are tempting.

I love the American Cichlids in particular the Bolivian Ram, Whit the exception of Crib's I currently have both and they each have different personalities that like.

Im an international cichlid guy, I love oscars and green terrors, But I'm a fan of frontosa and milawi eyebitters, also can't forget the tilapia species from asia. Also individually I prefer american cichlids, but I prefer african cichlid tanks

Jason these African cichlids have stolen all my attention. Even my kids noticed lol

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

They have a tendency to do that. : -)

The Electric Blue Acara are my favorite. They are very peaceful and colorful.

@videogazer801

Жыл бұрын

This video is about South America vs African Cichlids only. Not blue fish. SMH

Great video very well done thanks for sharing

South American cichlid. Ram is my fav fish. The way they swim and stay calm interacts with the owner and the cute frontal face makes me fall in love with that cutie.

I loved this video! I'm trying my best to do as much research as I can before I finally branch out into owning my very first cichlid! my only issue is that I can't find any videos on the specific species that I want and some of the blogs I've read about aren't very consistent. The species I'm interested in is Neolamprologus tretocephalus! what are your thoughts on them?

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

They tend to be very aggressive, but very pretty. I actually think they fit in better with mbuna than other types of Lake Tanganyikan fish.

I had a tank full of borleyi kidango,, awesome beautiful Lake melawai cichlid,,,

Nice video as usual...Question what are those Yellow ones with black spots?.

Your video one of the best summaries on different cichlids. I own fresh and saltwater tanks. Discus and cichlids are very close on color to salt.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I’ve loved and kept many cichlids. On the American side I’m particular to Geophagus and Severum. If I had to limit myself to one location though it would have to be Lake Tanganyika and if I could only keep one species it would be Altolamprologus Calvus. That Arganteus (sp?) at 3:30 though is a seriously gorgeous fish.

Great video man! All Ive kept for years are the Africans. Well I actually just started keeping an Oscar tank. I also have a group of Geophagus Tapajos. Even Favoring Africans like I do, I still dont think I could pick a Favorite. There are to many more amazing species I plan to keep in the future. Keep up the great videos, I love them❤

20 yrs in & keep both, love both

@dmac4048

3 жыл бұрын

But do you keep both together and if so which African and American cichlids mix the best?

I like Lake Malawi Africans. I currently own my own group of them and it’s like a reality TV show in my living room. They are just a joy to watch. When I first got them, they were much like puppy dogs always at the glass begging for food, but as they grew older, they became more interested in each other. I’ve successfully been able to raise up 3 fry in my main tank. It’s really an amazing tank to watch.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Everytime I go to feed mine, it's like they have never eaten a day in their lives!

My pair of blue acaras and my pair of pelligrinis were long time faves. I also really like kribensis.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

3 жыл бұрын

Those are great fish!

I use to be fanatic about CA cichlids. Most of them have great personalities like you mentioned. But they do need a lot of space. For that reason, I am keeping mainly African cichlids now. Great video btw!

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, that about sums it up. :-)

I like jewel cichlids perfect sub for Is piranhas. If keep in a community setting. But right now I'm crazy about blue Texas and veja cichlids. And they're perfect together

I love my Green Terror GS and Tiger Oscar with Convict

I enjoy your contents alot.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Ive gone through lots of phases but lately I really like angles because you can have plants, they are hardy and have great personalities : )

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

For sure - plants and angels are a nice mix. :-)

For me tigar and albino oscar are my favorite. They are big and so interactive.

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Oscar's are some of my favorite.

I’m an American guy, I would have to say my favorite fish is my big male Parachromis Managuense

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Love those too!

@raymondg7866

3 жыл бұрын

Love mine too and my Dovii 🐠👍

I am in love with South/Central American cichlids. I am planning a monster fish tank now. Cycling a flowerhorn tank now.

@KenzieLaMar

3 жыл бұрын

As far as my favorite its really hard to say. Oscars for personality and Vieja synspilum for color and body shape. I am new to the Maskaheros you showed. That one is amazing as well. Like I said, I love new world cichlids.

That’s a super tricky decision! Although I really like shell dwellers and Cryptochromis, I also really enjoy Geophagus and Keyhole Cichlids. They’re all too cool for me to pick a favorite. 😭

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Ya, that is a tough decision. :-)

Well, after reentering the aquarium world again 4 years ago, my vote is for African Cichlids. I bought some German Red Peacocks from ebay a few years ago. They have bred more times than I can rescue the offspring! I'm for African Cichlids because over the last 4 years, I have learned their behavior, they are compatible with hard water, which is what is supplied by my municipality, and they don't get too big (like Oscars). I feed them a varied diet and they seem to like it to the point where anytime that I go near the tank in the daytime, these greedy fish think that they are going to be fed! I have an overcrowded tank, about 30 Cichlids in a 55-gallon tank, and they have not been dying.

@brendanhall9346

Жыл бұрын

Get yourself a bigger tank you will forsure have issues I wont keep over 40 in my 110 gallon tank with 3 huge canister filters and 75% water change every Sunday

Nice, informative vid, someday....right now I am carrying Tetras, but all are beautiful fish...tnx

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Those a great too!

To me a big part of the difference is the environment they are found in ( and what my tank will look like): logs and maybe plants vs rocky reefs

I love Malawi they are way more smarter than the rest. Actually a research paper was done on them which proved they are actually a super advanced freshwater fishes. Haps: Fossochromis rostratus Peacock : Lwanda Mbuna: yellow labs These are my favorites

I prefer the American cichlids, the mellow smaller ones are very fun to keep in a group. Lots of plants and rocks, a few rams with cory cats and maybe some inverts roaming around. That's my favorite

Just love all cichlids

South and Central American cichlids get #1 spot for me. From my first pair of pink convicts to my Midas/ red devil and everything in between. #2 and a very close race I might add with my all time favorite being the hemochromis elongatus 5 spot jewel, stunning fish!

@bysab2741

4 жыл бұрын

I would go towards American cichlids. I am being biased in a way. I own a beautiful Jack Dempsey, 4x Firemouths, 4x Boliviam Rams, 4x Blue Rams. To me they are a bit more hardy than the African cichlids. Also their personalities is something I can watch all day.

Amazing video great African fish

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

Kribensis Cichlid, Ram Cichlid, Festivum Flag Cichlid, Julidochromis Cichlids, Apistogramma's, and Golden Dwarf Acara are my favorite and beloved Cichlids!! 🤍🖤🤎💙💛❤️

@PrimeTimeAquatics

Жыл бұрын

All cool fish!

Electric blue acara are probably my favorite S American cichlid. Super docile and vibrant

Parachromis genus is my favorite by far!!!! Definitely an American cichlids fan!

I love tanganyikan for their personality and variety, malawi for their color and aggressive nature, american for their size and monogamous nature ❤❤❤

Interesting video! I have been keeping tropical fish for years but I am planing on starting a cichlid tank. I can’t decide which type I want. I have been leaning towards peacocks but love them all. This video didn’t help! So many cool choices from both areas. I always wanted an Oscar they are like water dogs so personable. Mbuna are stunning fish but mean as hell. My water is so perfect for lake malawi cichlids so I have been leaning that way. The debate continues.......

@PrimeTimeAquatics

4 жыл бұрын

The nice thing is if your water is already well suited for Africans they will really thrive in your tanks.