The longest-lived of the West African Cichlids that I discovered in my research is the extraordinary-looking Buffalo Cichlid (aka. West African Cichlids are a lesser-known group of cichlids from countries such as Congo, Nigeria, and Cameroon.Īmong the most famous of these are the cute, beginner-friendly Kribensis (or ‘Kribs’ for short) which tend to live for around 3-6 years in captivity, and the aggressive but stunningly beautiful Jewel Cichlid with a typical lifespan of around 4-6 years. How Long Do West African Cichlids Live For? Hap species need to be chosen carefully to avoid fighting but can typically live for around 7-10 years when well cared for in a suitable aquarium environment. Popular species include Electric Blue Hap (or Electric Blue Cichlid), Blue Dolphin Cichlid, Tangerine Tiger Cichlid, and Venustus (also known as Giraffe Cichlid). Haplochromis, or “Haps” as they are commonly known, are the largest genera of Cichlids, with many species residing in Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria.

The Lemon Cichlid (life expectancy of 8 years), Fairy Cichlid (life expectancy of 8-10 years), Daffodil Cichlid (life expectancy of 8-10 years), Frontosa Cichlid (life expectancy 8-10 years), and the Blue Goby Cichlid (life expectancy 3-5 years). Ranging in size from 2 inches to over a foot long, the most popular aquarium species of this diverse group include: There are more than 150 different species of cichlid hailing from Lake Tanganyika, the second-deepest lake on our planet. Like their cousins, the mbunas, Peacock Cichlids tend to live for between 8-10 years, but it has been known for specimens to exceed 15 years on rare occasions! How Long Do Lake Tanganyika Cichlids Live For? Popular species include Butterfly Peacock Cichlid, Blue Peacock Cichlids, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid, and Dragonblood Peacock Cichlid. How Long Do Peacock Cichlids Live For?Īlso from Lake Malawi, Peacock Cichlids are an incredibly striking type of African cichlid. When given hard, alkaline water and a healthy tank environment, mbunas typically live for 8-10 years. Some of the most famous species include the Livingstonii Cichlid, Bumblebee Cichlid, Auratus Cichlid, Electric Yellow Cichlids, and Yellow Lab Cichlid. Mbuna cichlids are a popular group of cichlids from Lake Malawi. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular varieties.

Species from other parts of Africa are more genetically diverse and can vary in age considerably. But, of course, there is some variation between species. African CichlidsĪfrican Cichlids are simply members of the Cichlidae family that are native to the African continent.Īlthough most of them hail from the East African lakes of Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika, there are also a few from other parts of Africa, such as the glorious Jewel Cichlids and Kribensis from West Africa.Īfrican Cichlids from the Great Lakes usually live for around 7-10 years when treated well in an appropriate environment. If there were a dating website for fish, Cichlids would have a great profile!īut are cichlids so lucky when it comes to longevity? While their lifespans vary considerably, most cichlid species will live between 5-10 years in captivity when treated well.īut since there’s so much variation, let’s take a closer look at the different lifespans of the most popular types of cichlids and what you can do to help your fish live for as long as possible. Beautiful, intelligent, with bags of personality.

Oscar fish lifespan