Lifespan of cichlids

[peppermint22]

May I know the average lifespan of these cichlids, given ideal conditions and proper maintenance:

1. Discus
2. Angelfish
3. Apistogramma
4. Acara
5. Geophagus
6. Kribensis
7. Julidochromis
8. Neolamprologus

[Poet8102]

From your other post I am assuming that you want to know wich ones will live 5+ years right? The discus will; the angelfish will; I am assuming that you mean Blue Acara, if so, it will; There are a lot of Geophagus species but most of them will; I don't really know about the others though.

Just two bits of advice though. You have on your list, both Afrakan and American cichlids, and those two groups tend to have very different water requirements and behaviors. I would pick a group of cichlids first that matches your own water parameters and go from there. You may find your water to be too hard for the soft water Angelfish, or too soft for the hard water rift lake cichlids. If you haven't bought one yet, buy a water testing kit to find out your ph level first.

The other bit is, what size tank are you planning on having. That may well influence the specific fish that you get. A few of those are going to require at least a 29g where as others will require a 55g.

[aharris]

Most Apistogramma are relatively short-lived. I think they average around three to four years, but on the other side, they mature and breed very quickly.

I don't know how long Julidochromis live, but I have a breeding pair that has lived 8 years with me, and were probably 6 mos to a year old when I got them. I would imagine that you would get similar life spans out of most Neolamprologines and well, most mid-size African Rift cichlids for that matter.

[peppermint22]

Wow! That's long. Howabout microgeophagus altispinosa a.k.a. Bolivian Rams? From what I've gathered from the net: here's what I've read: Angels can live up to 10 years. Are angels good cichlids to start with? My dad says they're sensitive, like the discus.

[aharris]

I'm not sure about Bolivian Rams although they're usually considered a dwarf cichlid. I had one for a couple of years and was very pleased with it, but I moved so it got traded in.

I don't think that Angelfish are as sensitive as discus, but then, I've never bred them either. I think as long as you keep their water clean and within their water parameters, they'll thrive all right for you. If you're looking to breed though, I can't help you there. I always wound up with one angelfish out of six juvies. I never got a pair even in a 55g tank.

[peppermint22]

Howabout kribs? Can they live for 10 years? I'd like something of moderate size that is long-lived.