[Ebook] 500 freshwater aquarium fish - Cichlids

The cichlids are a large family (Cichlidae) comprising at least 2,000 species. In fact, some authors believe that, depending on the way in which a species is defined, Lake Malawi in Africa alone may contain 1,600 different species. They occur mainly in freshwater in Central and South America, the West Indes, Africa, Madagascar, Syria, the coastal areas of the southern half of India, and Sri Lanka.

The northernmost species is the Texas Cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus). The largest species — at a length of 36in (90cm) — is Boulengerochromis microlepis from Lake Tanganyika. The smallest cichlids belong to the genus Apistogramma and grow no bigger than 1 1/2in (3.5cm). While the overall form of cichlids varies immensely there are common features. Cichlids have only one nostril on each side of the head rather than the normal two; the lateral line is often split, the front (longer) section being located higher up the body; most species have brown-tipped teeth; and the dorsal fin is divided into a spiny, unbranched (hard) front section and a branched (soft) rear one supported by rays. Spawning behavior in cichlids is very varied, although parental care is characteristic. Spawning strategies include depositing the eggs on rocks, leaves, and so on; incubation in the mouth by females (mouthbrooding); and a few feed young on body secretions during the first weeks of life.

Cichlids will eat a wide range of foods and are therefore not generally difficult to keep. There are so many species available within the hobby that, once basic aquarium keeping has been mastered, most aquarists interested in cichlids begin to specialize.

[Ebook] 500 freshwater aquarium fish – Cichlids

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