Top 10 Dwarf Cichlids | Best Cichlids for Small Aquariums

Looking for the best dwarf cichlids for your small aquarium? In this video, I break down the Top 10 Best Dwarf Cichlids, showcasing their stunning colors, unique personalities, and fascinating behaviors. These amazing fish stay under 4 inches in length, making them perfect for tanks as small as 20 to 40 gallons.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fishkeeper, dwarf cichlids bring beauty and character to your tank. I cover care requirements, tank setups, and what makes each species special, plus some honorable mentions you won’t want to miss!

🐠 Featured Dwarf Cichlids:

⭐ Apistogramma Cichlids – Vibrant colors and bold personalities make them a top pick.
⭐ Kribensis Cichlids – Hardy, colorful, and great for community tanks.
⭐ Ram Cichlids – Stunning blues and golds with peaceful temperaments.
⭐ Shell Dwellers – Tiny but full of character, perfect for nano tanks.

🌟 Ready to upgrade your small tank with these incredible fish? Subscribe for more unboxings, tank setups, and care tips for cichlids and other aquarium favorites.

If you're interested in any of the products used in our aquariums today or show throughout the video, feel free to check out the affiliate links below.

Equipment

Substrate

Food

Chemicals
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 - Intro
0:58 - Dwarf Flag Cichlid
1:57 - Zebra Acara
2:51 - Lemon Cichlid
3:40 - Julidochromis Cichlid
4:22 - Shell Dwellers
5:46 - Checkboard Cichlid
7:20 - Golden Cichlid
8:25 - Kribensis Cichlid
9:12 - Ram Cichlids
10:06 - Apistogramma
11:17 - Honorable Mentions
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#dwarfcichlid #cichlids #cichlidtanks

[ashleighbowen]

Great video as always! 🤩 I love my Apistogramma Panduro tank, they are so personable and get on with all the tank mates with them. 😄

[sandyloyst]

I really said "wow" when I saw that zebra acara! I like the adult photo's of them colored up. Great camera work as usual. Thanks Troy. Peace.

[Becka.T]

Wow such a beautiful range of fish, I have red jewels and they won’t stop breeding ( I love them )

[ldhumou]

I’ve been trying decide which dwarf cichlids to get for my 40 breeder. Perfect timing 😎.

[juanrcovas]

Pretty informative video congratulations!!!!

[j.t.cooper]

Kribensis have been my favorites for 37 years now. When I got my first pair back in 1988 I was hooked and I'm still keeping 2 breeding pairs.

[NiX_aKi]

I so agree with your list. Haha. My favorite julidochromis is the Dickfeldi. Those blue tipped fins.. Ugh! The Pulchers you showed is the red variety thou. Not so common. I've successfully line-bred the albino form that carry those red traits. They are jaw dropping

[williamflynn]

Amatitlania Nanolutea. Maybe an Honrorable, Honorable Mention?

[izladoom]

I have never heard of the goldeneye cichlid that’s one I’m going to look into more

[dieselxdan]

Awesome video!!!! Love the selections.

[WGDV]

very nice video great tp10 list my favorite is the judiochromis cichlids

[cwalden]

I really like the saulosi and rusty cichlid (two dwarf mbuna that are fairly chill, offer great color, and can live happily in a 40B).

[emmanuelcruz]

I was waiting for this list love the dwarf cichlid species 🤩

[mateoosorio]

Great timing!

Ive been losing sleep thinking about a center piece and and structure over all for a 65 gallon tank…. !
Already have 2 Bolivian rams in smaller tank but I want to transfer it to the 65!
Apistos, dwarf flag and keyhole are now my favourite!!! Thank
I’ll do some research maybe I can have a little some of this species in my new tank!

[mellowsohype]

perfect timing! setting up a 20 gallon as we speak

[jaredrice]

Shell Dwellers are my favorite. Especially Lamprologus Brevis.

[scotp]

Kribensis are definitely my favorite so far on this list. I started with 2 and wound up with 27 in a 75g planted tank. It is awesome to watch 5 or more females displaying their bright purple bellies at the same time. I have not successfully kept Brichardi with Multis. The Brichardi can be ruthless. However I have kept multis with Leleupi, Julidochromis, Calvis, and Buescheri. I have kept most on your list and am looking for both Zebra Acara or Ivanacara Bimaculata, and will be buying checkerboards soon. They just got some in at my LFS.

[PriceTagAquariums]

The Goldeneye cichlids should have a common name of James Bond 😄 I always loved the Bolivian and German blue Rams. Great list overall, Troy!

[douglashagstrom]

Definitely have my eye on some Bolivian rams and the zebra acara for a 40g planted community. Great video and insight on this list!

[motherlandbot]

Most of the "Laetacara curviceps" in the US aquarium trade today are actually the more compact and somewhat more cool temperature tolerant Laetacara dorsigera. All of those shown in your video are L. curviceps.

Many dwarf cichlids are deadly to Corydoras and other small to medium sized catfishes. They often suddenly attack and maim or kill these after coexisting peacefully for weeks or months. This frequently happens even if the cichlids are not in spawning mode.