If you don’t know how to properly care for a cichlid, then you might have trouble keeping it in your tank. It is important to surround the cichlid with warm water at a high pH level and feed it with specialty food designed specifically for cichlids. You will also want a big tank with plenty of room and one or two filters. Sand is the best substrate for most cichlid species. Of course, the precise composition of your aquarium will depend on what type of cichlid you want to buy.