Cichlids are among the most popular types of aquarium fish. They’re really good options for beginners, too.
These fish are so well-loved because they’re fairly easy for beginners. Cichlids are hardy fish that can do well in your tank if you take care of their basic needs.
How long do cichlids live, though? Are these fish that will live for many years or are they relatively short-lived fish?
Continue reading to learn about cichlid lifespans. You’ll get information about the life expectancy of cichlids so you can decide which types you’re interested in.
How Long Do African Cichlids Live?
African cichlids are among the most common types of cichlids that people own. These fish look amazing and they can add a lot of color to your fish tank.
If you’re looking for fish that will live for quite a while, you’ll be happy to hear that these fish live for many years. An average African cichlid is going to live between 6 and 10 years in captivity.
It’s even possible for these fish to live longer than that if things go really well. When these fish are receiving optimal care, they might live a bit longer than ten years in a fish tank.
Of course, there are several types of African cichlids out there that you can buy. Some of them might have slightly different life expectancy information.
Even so, you can expect these fish to live for many years in your tank. If you do a good job caring for your African cichlids, they’ll hang out in your aquarium for a long time.
How Long Do Oscars Live?
Oscars are very big cichlids that many people find to be impressive. If you’re looking to own a large and interesting fish, Oscars will certainly fit the bill.
These fish grow to be between 8 and 16 inches long once they reach maturity. Since they get so large, they require bigger fish tanks.
One Oscar can fit in a 75-gallon aquarium comfortably. If you wish to keep two Oscars together, you’ll need a 100-gallon aquarium.
These fish won’t be practical choices for many fish owners due to their size. Having to keep such large fish tanks in your home might not be appealing if you’re working with limited space.
Oscars are cichlids that can live for a very long time, though. If you want a cichlid that will live for well over a decade, this might be your best bet.
The average lifespan of an Oscar is between 10 and 20 years. Some Oscars might even live slightly longer than twenty years if they receive excellent care.
How Long Do Angelfish Live?
Angelfish are among the most popular types of fish. They’ve become incredibly common sights in home aquariums due to how pretty they are.
These fish are sold in just about every store that sells fish. You’ll find many different types of angelfish being sold that have different color variations.
Choosing angelfish will be a great idea when you want fish that are easy to care for. These fish aren’t going to be hard to keep alive since they’re so hardy.
They are a little bit aggressive, but they aren’t as aggressive as some of the more aggressive cichlids. You can put angelfish in a community tank pretty easily so long as you pick good tank mates for them.
Angelfish live for up to 10 years in captivity. Sometimes angelfish might survive for slightly longer than 10 years when they’re being cared for very well.
How Long Do Convict Cichlids Live?
Convict cichlids are interesting little fish that usually only grow to be three or four inches long. They aren’t incredibly small, but they’re certainly smaller than many of the larger cichlids.
As you might expect, these fish are called convict cichlids because they look as if they have stripes that resemble old-fashioned prisoner outfits.
When you care for these fish they can live for a good amount of time in captivity. The average lifespan of a convict cichlid is between 8 and 10 years.
As usual, you need to care for these fish well for them to live that long. If you meet the care needs of these fish properly, you’ll enjoy keeping these fish in your tank for quite some time.
How Long Do Ram Cichlids Live?
Ram cichlids are actually less beginner-friendly than most other types of cichlids. These fish are a bit harder to take care of overall.
Even so, they’re interesting fish to look at. Many people think these fish are very neat and they love keeping them in their fish tanks.
If you learn how to care for these fish well, you can keep them alive for up to four years in captivity. They typically don’t live longer than that.
Also, they won’t live for four years unless you care for them right. It’ll require some effort to keep these fish healthy in your tank.
How Long Do Electric Yellow Cichlids Live?
Electric yellow cichlids are among the most visually striking fish you can buy. If you’re looking for fish that will add color to your fish tank, it’s hard to beat these fish.
They grow to be approximately four inches long once they’ve reached maturity. You’ll want to keep them in a 50-gallon fish tank to get optimal results, too.
These fish are carnivores that are fairly hardy overall. They should do well in your aquarium if you commit to caring for them properly.
When you care for these fish well, they’ll live for 6 to 10 years in captivity. These fish are comparable to standard types of African cichlids in many ways.
How Long Do Firemouth Cichlids Live?
Firemouth cichlids are really neat fish that you’ll likely find to be appealing. Typically, these fish are kept in pairs.
You can keep two firemouth cichlids together in a 30-gallon fish tank. They’re hardy fish that will do well if you keep a close eye on the water parameters.
These fish can have health issues if they encounter water quality issues. For this reason, you should be careful to test the water regularly.
Keeping up with tank maintenance will also be important. Remember to clean the tank and do weekly water changes to protect the fish.
If you do all of this, you can expect firemouth cichlids to live for up to 10 years. Some have lived for as long as 15 years although this isn’t typical.
How Long Do Jewel Cichlids Live?
Jewel cichlids are another common type of cichlid that you should know about. These are pretty fish that have bright red or orange bodies.
They also have colored spots all over their bodies that help them to stand out. Some variants of jewel cichlids will have dark-blue or turquoise bodies.
In captivity, these fish will grow to be approximately six inches long. In the wild, they grow to be much bigger and may reach up to a foot in length.
These fish can live between five and seven years in captivity. You’ll need to keep them in a 30-gallon fish tank or something larger so they can thrive.
How Long Do Flowerhorn Cichlids Live?
Flowerhorn cichlids are rather unique. When you look at these fish you’ll be drawn to their unusual bumpy foreheads.
The “flower” marking on their heads is what gives them the flowerhorn name. They truly do stand out from other cichlids from a visual perspective.
These are pretty big fish, too. Male flowerhorn cichlids can grow to be 12 inches long, but the females will be slightly smaller.
Flowerhorn cichlids can live for a decent amount of time in captivity. On average, they’ll live between 8 and 10 years.
How Long Do Kenyi Cichlids Live?
Kenyi cichlids are another type of fish that is becoming quite popular. These fish are often sold in pet stores and they look really nice overall.
You’ll find that these fish grow larger in fish tanks than they do in the wild. In the wild, they grow to be five inches, but they can grow to be longer in your home aquarium.
Expect these cichlids to live for up to 10 years. If you do a great job of caring for them they will survive for a good amount of time.
Final Thoughts
There are all sorts of different cichlids out there. The cichlids that you learned about above are just some of the most popular and common options.
You can find dozens of other cichlids that might appeal to you as well. Cichlids are great fish that make a lot of sense as aquarium fish.
They’re overall hardy fish that are simple enough for beginners to take care of. If that appeals to you, don’t hesitate to buy cichlids for your fish tank.
Many cichlids can live for a very long time. Oscars can live for up to 20 years when you care for them optimally.
Some cichlids will live for shorter periods of time. Ram cichlids will only live for up to four years.
Keep this information in mind and choose the type of cichlid that appeals to you the most. This will ensure that you have a great experience that you’ll be happy with.
Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his family’s fish tank. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything he’s learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium.