Cichlid Statistics Singapore 2026: Most Popular Species & Prices
In Singapore, the most popular cichlids on FishyHub are angelfish and discus, which combine high purchases with high buyer interest, along with the broad "other cichlid" group. Cichlids as a whole sit in the mid-range price tier in SGD terms and prices are trending up; discus and apistogramma are upper mid-range, rams and African cichlids are budget buys, and flowerhorns sit in the collector tier. Angelfish, discus and apistogramma are gaining momentum, while several other groups are cooling.
Key Findings
- FishyHub marketplace data shows angelfish, discus and the "other cichlid" group have high purchases and high buyer interest in Singapore, the most popular cichlids on the marketplace.
- FishyHub data shows cichlids as a whole sit in the mid-range price tier in Singapore, and prices across the category are trending up.
- On FishyHub, discus, apistogramma and the "other cichlid" group sit in the upper mid-range price tier in Singapore, while rams and African cichlids are entry-level / budget.
- FishyHub data shows flowerhorns sit in the collector / premium tier in Singapore, with plenty of listings but supply running ahead of demand and prices easing.
- FishyHub data shows angelfish, discus and apistogramma activity is rising in Singapore, while African cichlids, American cichlids, parrot cichlids and rams are cooling.
- FishyHub data shows demand runs ahead of supply for American cichlids, rams and tilapia in Singapore.
- FishyHub data shows angelfish have very high supply in Singapore and a wide price spread, from everyday fish to selected show grades.
The Most Popular Cichlids in Singapore
FishyHub measures popularity in Singapore through orders and buyer interest (wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves). Grouped by tier and listed alphabetically:
Most popular tier: high purchases and high interest
- Angelfish - very high supply, rising momentum, prices trending up.
- Discus - high supply, rising momentum, prices trending up.
- Other cichlids - very high supply, but momentum cooling.
Also popular: moderate purchases and interest
- African cichlids
- American cichlids
- Apistogramma
- Parrot cichlids
- Rams
- Tilapia
Flowerhorns are a special case. They have high supply and moderate buyer interest, but limited purchases. Many hobbyists follow flowerhorns closely without buying often, which fits a fish bought as a single centrepiece rather than in groups.
Oscars, which FishyHub lists under monster fish, also deserve a mention: they have high purchases and high interest in Singapore, demand ahead of supply, and prices trending up.
Cichlid Prices in Singapore
| Group | Price tier | Price direction |
|---|---|---|
| African cichlids | Entry-level / budget | Not reported |
| American cichlids | Mid-range | Trending up |
| Angelfish | Mid-range | Trending up |
| Apistogramma | Upper mid-range | Stable |
| Discus | Upper mid-range | Trending up |
| Flowerhorn | Collector / premium | Easing |
| Other cichlids | Upper mid-range | Trending up |
| Parrot cichlids | Mid-range | Stable |
| Rams | Entry-level / budget | Stable |
| Tilapia | Mid-range | Not reported |
What drives these prices
Discus are a Southeast Asian breeding speciality, and Singapore has a long tradition of discus farms. Local stock is graded by strain, body shape and colour, and raising young discus to a good size takes time and frequent water changes. Rising buyer interest and rising prices suggest Singapore hobbyists are still willing to pay for well-graded fish.
Apistogramma are small, but many are wild-caught or line-bred colour forms, and they are kept in pairs or harems. That puts them in the upper mid-range despite their size.
Angelfish have a wide price spread. Common silver and marble fish sit at the lower end, while selected lines such as koi, platinum and wild altum-type fish reach much higher. With very high supply and rising prices, buyers are moving towards better grades.
Flowerhorns are priced on head size, colour and pearling, so the collector tier reflects show-grade fish. With supply ahead of demand and prices easing, Singapore buyers currently have negotiating room.
Rams and African cichlids are farm-bred widely across the region, which keeps them in the budget tier.
Supply and Demand
Most cichlid groups in Singapore are balanced on FishyHub, with listings broadly matching buyer activity. The exceptions:
- Demand ahead of supply: American cichlids, rams and tilapia. Buyers looking for specific species in these groups may need to watch for new listings.
- Supply ahead of demand: flowerhorns. Plenty of fish, fewer buyers, prices easing.
Tilapia have a very wide price spread, because the group covers everything from common food-fish types to ornamental colour forms.
Momentum: Which Cichlids Are Rising
| Direction | Groups |
|---|---|
| Rising | Angelfish, apistogramma, discus, flowerhorn, tilapia |
| Steady | Cichlids as a whole |
| Cooling | African cichlids, American cichlids, other cichlids, parrot cichlids, rams |
The rising groups share a theme: they suit the planted and display tanks popular in Singapore homes. Angelfish and discus are classic centrepiece fish for a tall tank, and apistogramma fit naturally into the aquascapes that many local hobbyists keep.
What Shoppers Search For
FishyHub search terms, combined across Singapore and the US, show very high interest in angelfish, discus, flowerhorn and oscar, and high interest in "apisto" and "cichlid". Searches for "luohan", the Chinese-influenced name for the flowerhorn, appear too, which reflects the fish's strong following in the region.
Keeping Cichlids in a Singapore Home
Singapore's warm climate means most cichlids, including angelfish and apistogramma, do well without a heater in an HDB flat or condo. Discus prefer warmer water than many fish and some keepers still use a heater to keep conditions stable. Singapore's soft tap water suits discus, angelfish, rams and apistogramma, while African cichlids need the water hardened with buffers or crushed coral.
Where Cichlids Are Bought and Sold
FishyHub's livestock data shows Central Singapore with the most buyers and sellers, followed in activity by the North-East and West. The East has fewer buyers and the fewest sellers, and the North has the fewest buyers. Merchants deliver across the island, and many cichlid sellers are home breeders, so a buyer can reach discus and angelfish breeders anywhere in Singapore.
Methodology
This page is based on FishyHub marketplace activity in Singapore over the period from October 2024 to October 2026. We looked at active cichlid listings, listed prices and their direction, price spread, orders, wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves, new listings and orders over time, buyer and seller regions, and search terms. All findings are reported as tiers and directions, not figures.
FishyHub groups cichlids by category rather than by individual species, so species named within a group come from general hobby knowledge. Regional data covers all livestock, not cichlids alone, and search terms combine the Singapore and US markets. The data covers sales by independent merchants on FishyHub and does not measure fish farms' export trade or retail shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular cichlid in Singapore?
On FishyHub, angelfish, discus and the "other cichlid" group have high purchases and high buyer interest in Singapore.
How much do discus cost in Singapore?
Discus sit in FishyHub's upper mid-range price tier in Singapore, and prices are trending up as buyer interest grows.
Are flowerhorn prices dropping in Singapore?
On FishyHub, flowerhorns remain in the collector tier, but supply runs ahead of demand and prices are easing.
What is the cheapest cichlid in Singapore?
Rams and African cichlids sit in FishyHub's entry-level / budget tier in Singapore.
Do cichlids need a heater in Singapore?
Most do not, as room temperature in Singapore homes already suits them. Some discus keepers still use one for stability.
How to Cite This Page
Source: FishyHub, "Cichlid Statistics Singapore 2026: Most Popular Species & Prices" (2026), https://fishyhub.com/sg/blogs/blog-detail/cichlid-statistics-singapore-2026-most-popular-species-and-prices
