Mikes Cichlids

Tucked away in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Mike's Cichlids is a dedicated fish farm that has earned a loyal following among freshwater enthusiasts across the country. Specializing in cichlids from both South America and Africa, this operation is run by seasoned owners who have been in the business for years, and that experience shows in the quality of every fish that leaves their facility. What sets Mike's Cichlids apart is the caliber of their livestock.

One customer ordered three plecos — a male and two females — and had a successful spawn within days of receiving them, a testament to how healthy and well-conditioned the fish are before they ship. Another buyer who had been searching for blue neon females finally found them through Mike after posting in an online group, and all arrived healthy within four days. That kind of reliability in shipping live fish is no small feat and speaks volumes about their packing and care protocols.

Mike's Cichlids also makes appearances at major aquarium events like Aquashella, where attendees have picked up plecos that survived long car rides home and settled into their tanks without issue. The in-person experience mirrors the online one: friendly, knowledgeable people who genuinely care about the fish they raise and the hobbyists they serve. This is a breeding operation at heart, which means the fish aren't just being resold from wholesalers — they're raised on-site with attention to genetics and health.

Customers consistently describe the experience as the best they've had ordering fish online, and the owners are known for going above and beyond when order issues arise. For anyone in the market for quality freshwater cichlids, African cichlids, or plecos, Mike's Cichlids in New Smyrna Beach delivers — literally and figuratively. Their online store ships nationwide, but a visit to the farm or a meet-up at an expo is well worth the trip.