Noob Question

I am new to cichlids and I was told that cichlids need different water than tropical fish. Is this true?

depends which cichlids your talking about. african cichlids thrive better in different conditions than south american or central american cichlids.

if it were me i'd do mbuna, but go with what you love. do lots of reasearch and find out everything there is to know about the fish you decide to go with, to save yourself grief down the road.
 
I'm relatively noob too and I've had a lot of success with blue rams, they're docile but can get occasionally territorial/heirachical but for the most part they're easy fish to keep and they look great too!
 
If you want smaller and community type cichlids.. i only know of one.. keyhole cichlids! they are fairly peaceful. Mine have never beaten up anything neither have they ever attacked anything else in the tank! that's if you would like more like a south american community tank.If you want smaller and active and constantly breeding, go for convicts! mine have just had their 2nd batch of fry.
 
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