As the popularity of keeping cichlids increases, we have seen a number of different questions about keeping cichlids from the aquarium keeping community.
A number of people are also starting to try their hand at keeping a brackish water tank too so it is only natural that we would see people reaching out for advice on brackish water cichlids that they can keep in their tank.
With so many people reaching out to ask questions about keeping brackish water cichlids in their tanks, we wanted to publish this article going over a number of cichlids that can survive in brackish water tanks.
Now, before we go any further, we want to quickly say that just because a cichlid can survive in brackish water, it does not mean that you can instantly put the fish into a brackish water tank.
In most cases, you will have to put the cichlid through some type of acclimation process unless it has been raised in brackish water.
Due to brackish water tanks becoming increasingly popular, there are a number of pet stores that offer various fish species that have been raised in brackish water removing the need for the acclimation process but for the most part, your cichlids will usually come in fresh water and have to be slowly acclimatized to brackish water with a dripper.
Brackish Water Cichlids!
Here is our list of the seven best brackish water cichlids that you are able to keep in your tank:-
- Green Chromide!
- Pseudetroplus Maculatus!
- Spotted Tilapia!
- Etroplus!
- Redbelly Tilapia!
- Ptychochromis!
- Nile tilapia!
Please note that this is just a general list and depending on your area, local laws and regulations may be in place to prevent you keeping some of these fish due to being classed as endangered or due to being classed as an invasive species.
Green Chromide!
The Green Chromide (Etroplus suratensis) is a beautiful cichlid that is endemic to brackish and freshwater habitats in South India and Sri Lanka.
The fish gets its name from the green coloration that covers its body with some yellowish-orange coloration on the fins.
In the wild, the Green Chromide can grow to a length of around 20 cm (8 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 10-15 cm (4-6 inches).
The Green Chromide is an omnivore and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
Pseudetroplus Maculatus!
The Pseudetroplus maculatus is a cichlid that is endemic to freshwater and brackish water habitats in Costa Rica and Panama.
The fish gets its name from the dark spots that cover its body with the word “maculatus” meaning spotted in Latin.
In the wild, the Pseudetroplus maculatus can grow to a length of around 20 cm (8 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 10-15 cm (4-6 inches).
The Pseudetroplus maculatus is an omnivore and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
Spotted Tilapia!
The Spotted Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a cichlid that is endemic to freshwater and brackish water habitats in Africa.
The fish gets its name from the dark spots that cover its body.
In the wild, the Spotted Tilapia can grow to a length of around 50 cm (20 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 20-30 cm (8-12 inches).
The Spotted Tilapia is an omnivore and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
Etroplus!
Etroplus is a genus of cichlids that are endemic to freshwater and brackish water habitats in South India and Sri Lanka.
The fish in this genus get their name from the Greek word “etron” meaning belly and “oplus” meaning armed referring to the spines on the belly.
There are a number of different species in this genus such as the Etroplus suratensis (Green Chromide), Etroplus maculatus (Spotted Chromide), and Etroplus canarensis (Canary Cichlid).
In the wild, these fish can grow to a length of around 20 cm (8 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 10-15 cm (4-6 inches).
The Etroplus are omnivores and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
Redbelly Tilapia!
The Redbelly Tilapia (Tilapia zillii) is a cichlid that is endemic to freshwater and brackish water habitats in Africa.
The fish gets its name from the red coloration on the belly.
In the wild, the Redbelly Tilapia can grow to a length of around 30 cm (12 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 15-20 cm (6-8 inches).
The Redbelly Tilapia is an omnivore and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
Ptychochromis!
Ptychochromis is a genus of cichlids that are endemic to freshwater and brackish water habitats in Madagascar.
The fish in this genus get their name from the Greek words “ptyche” meaning fold and “chroma” meaning color referring to the color pattern on the body.
There are a number of different species in this genus such as the Ptychochromis grandidieri (Red-finned chromide), Ptychochromis insolitus (Rainbow cichlid), and Ptychochromis inornatus (Plain cichlid).
In the wild, these fish can grow to a length of around 15 cm (6 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 10 cm (4 inches).
The Ptychochromis are omnivores and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
Nile tilapia!
The Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a cichlid that is endemic to freshwater and brackish water habitats in Africa.
The fish gets its name from the fact that it is found in the Nile River.
In the wild, the Nile Tilapia can grow to a length of around 50 cm (20 inches) but in the aquarium, they are usually much smaller only growing to a length of around 20-30 cm (8-12 inches).
The Nile Tilapia is an omnivore and in the wild, their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, and small fish but in the aquarium, they will accept a wide variety of foods such as pellets, flakes, and live foods.
