This is the top 21 most aggressive CA/SA cichlids. (Not really good with africans there maybe more then one african that could be on the top of this list. I know one for sure though Butti.)
I wanted to hear your opinions on this list?
1.) Parachromis Dovii. Dovii Cichlid. The infamous wolf cichlid, these guys are huge beasts. They have very large teeth, large mouths, and a muscular body. Not so aggressive when small, but once they reach 6 or more inches they dominate almost all their tank mates. Don't ever under estimate these guys, they are capable of doing a lot of damage to YOU and other FISH.
2.) Caquetaia Umbriferus. Umbee Cichlid. Another big cichlid like the Dovii. They are easily the largest Central American cichlid you could own in the hobby. These guys are actually quite cute when young, but when they get older the tides turn. They get a large mouth, teeth, strength, and become ferocious. They are called the "Blue Freckled Monster" for a reason.
3.) Nandopsis Grammodes. The mini dovii cichlid. These guys are literally a dovii, just a small package. Which means, instead of growing 25+inches like the dovii, they will only get about 12 inches. Grammodes are very skilled fighters, they will go for the eyes and throats of all their enemy's. Grammodes are very fast fish, I had some flying out of the water to get piece food. Their speed is insane, and they use it when they battle with their enemy's. Grammodes are also one of the most territorial cichlids, female's of this species will sometimes guard their turf with their lives. The only down side of these species is their growth, they grow extremely slow. Which stops them from beating the larger cichlids.
4.) Buttikoferi Tilapia. Hornet Tilapia. These guys are nothing but evil. Do not let his mouth fool you, they crush & rip the lips off of all their enemies. The pressure in their bite is ridiculous. Giving me 9 stitches on my hand and eating the stomach's off other fish. These guys should never be trusted, they are born mean and will die mean. Remember these monsters get to 16 inches, at that size they can compete with most dovii's & umbee's.
5.) Nandopsis Beani. Green Guapote Cichlid. A very rare guapote. These guys freak out when kept with other fish. At a foot long they can take a 200 gallon to themselves. These guys are hyper aggressive, which means they will chase and kill without taking a break. Beani's are best kept with cichlids that can defend themselves because they are not very good at fighting back. The bad part about these species is they are susceptible to bloat. Due to this, they usually get severely sick if they fight or have poor water conditions. There is no other cichlid at 12 inches like the beani that will try to kill cichlids that are MUCH larger than themselves. No cichlid has more courage then the beani.
6.) Amphilophus Labiatus. Red Devil Cichlid. These guys are nothing but killers. They are very common and are known to kill all the cichlids Above. Red Devil's are great cichlids though, full of personality. Remember these guys need close attention when mixed with other fish because they will kill if the other fish can't defend itself. Red Devils are one tough Demons.
7.) Parachromis Managuense. The jaguar cichlid. They are cousins to the dovii. Jaguar cichlids are very powerful and will fight to the death at times. I've had some of these species fight until every single piece of scale rips off their body's. Jaguars are rarely aggressive when kept in appropriate sized tanks, they are just very territorial because of this they will take large tanks to themselves. Jaguars are very cool, but some are seriously psychotic.
8.) Nandopsis Haitiensis. Black Nasty Cichlid. These guys are nothing but black hell. This species are beasts. Capable of reaching 16 inches they can easily give the dovii or umbee a run for their money. The males of this species need lots of attention if mixed with other fish. Haitiensis are very prone to bloat, so they need extra care just like the beani. That is why they are lower on this list.
9.) Parachromis Motaguensis. This species is very underrated as far aggression goes. These guys are notorious for disemboweling tank mates. They are very alike to the managuense but they are smaller and are a bit calmer. Still a very powerful cichlid though.
10.) Nandopsis istlantus. This species are Hyper aggressive and nasty despite its small size. They have Sheer temper problems. They are known to kill a whole community of fish in a couple hours, now that's impressive.
There are other cichlids that are mean too, but couldn't make it to the top ten.
Here are the others, in order.
11. Herichthys Bartoni
12. Nandopsis Urophthalmus
13. Amphilophus Trimaculatus
14. Amphilophus Festae
15. Nandopsis Tetracanthus
16. Nandopsis Salvini
17. Amphilophus Citrinellus
18. Amphilophus Saggitae
19. Melanochromis sp.
20. Amphilophus Zaliosus
21.Herichthys Cynoguttatus
I wanted to hear your opinions on this list?
1.) Parachromis Dovii. Dovii Cichlid. The infamous wolf cichlid, these guys are huge beasts. They have very large teeth, large mouths, and a muscular body. Not so aggressive when small, but once they reach 6 or more inches they dominate almost all their tank mates. Don't ever under estimate these guys, they are capable of doing a lot of damage to YOU and other FISH.
2.) Caquetaia Umbriferus. Umbee Cichlid. Another big cichlid like the Dovii. They are easily the largest Central American cichlid you could own in the hobby. These guys are actually quite cute when young, but when they get older the tides turn. They get a large mouth, teeth, strength, and become ferocious. They are called the "Blue Freckled Monster" for a reason.
3.) Nandopsis Grammodes. The mini dovii cichlid. These guys are literally a dovii, just a small package. Which means, instead of growing 25+inches like the dovii, they will only get about 12 inches. Grammodes are very skilled fighters, they will go for the eyes and throats of all their enemy's. Grammodes are very fast fish, I had some flying out of the water to get piece food. Their speed is insane, and they use it when they battle with their enemy's. Grammodes are also one of the most territorial cichlids, female's of this species will sometimes guard their turf with their lives. The only down side of these species is their growth, they grow extremely slow. Which stops them from beating the larger cichlids.
4.) Buttikoferi Tilapia. Hornet Tilapia. These guys are nothing but evil. Do not let his mouth fool you, they crush & rip the lips off of all their enemies. The pressure in their bite is ridiculous. Giving me 9 stitches on my hand and eating the stomach's off other fish. These guys should never be trusted, they are born mean and will die mean. Remember these monsters get to 16 inches, at that size they can compete with most dovii's & umbee's.
5.) Nandopsis Beani. Green Guapote Cichlid. A very rare guapote. These guys freak out when kept with other fish. At a foot long they can take a 200 gallon to themselves. These guys are hyper aggressive, which means they will chase and kill without taking a break. Beani's are best kept with cichlids that can defend themselves because they are not very good at fighting back. The bad part about these species is they are susceptible to bloat. Due to this, they usually get severely sick if they fight or have poor water conditions. There is no other cichlid at 12 inches like the beani that will try to kill cichlids that are MUCH larger than themselves. No cichlid has more courage then the beani.
6.) Amphilophus Labiatus. Red Devil Cichlid. These guys are nothing but killers. They are very common and are known to kill all the cichlids Above. Red Devil's are great cichlids though, full of personality. Remember these guys need close attention when mixed with other fish because they will kill if the other fish can't defend itself. Red Devils are one tough Demons.
7.) Parachromis Managuense. The jaguar cichlid. They are cousins to the dovii. Jaguar cichlids are very powerful and will fight to the death at times. I've had some of these species fight until every single piece of scale rips off their body's. Jaguars are rarely aggressive when kept in appropriate sized tanks, they are just very territorial because of this they will take large tanks to themselves. Jaguars are very cool, but some are seriously psychotic.
8.) Nandopsis Haitiensis. Black Nasty Cichlid. These guys are nothing but black hell. This species are beasts. Capable of reaching 16 inches they can easily give the dovii or umbee a run for their money. The males of this species need lots of attention if mixed with other fish. Haitiensis are very prone to bloat, so they need extra care just like the beani. That is why they are lower on this list.
9.) Parachromis Motaguensis. This species is very underrated as far aggression goes. These guys are notorious for disemboweling tank mates. They are very alike to the managuense but they are smaller and are a bit calmer. Still a very powerful cichlid though.
10.) Nandopsis istlantus. This species are Hyper aggressive and nasty despite its small size. They have Sheer temper problems. They are known to kill a whole community of fish in a couple hours, now that's impressive.
There are other cichlids that are mean too, but couldn't make it to the top ten.
Here are the others, in order.
11. Herichthys Bartoni
12. Nandopsis Urophthalmus
13. Amphilophus Trimaculatus
14. Amphilophus Festae
15. Nandopsis Tetracanthus
16. Nandopsis Salvini
17. Amphilophus Citrinellus
18. Amphilophus Saggitae
19. Melanochromis sp.
20. Amphilophus Zaliosus
21.Herichthys Cynoguttatus
