Detailed Cichlid Info
November 26, 2011 
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Cichlid
Detailed Cichlid Info
Article by Mark Philip
Cichlids are, basically, freshwater fish belonging to the Cichlidae family in the order Perciformes. Cichlids cover a wide range of body sizes, from species featuring a size as small as 2.5 cm a going up to as large as 1 meter in length. One feature that is commonly shared by cichlids is “the fusion of the lower pharyngeal bones into a single tooth bearing structure.” Besides, Cichlids are considered as proficient feeders that incarcerate and process an extensive array of food items. Generally, cichlids are aggressive. It is, therefore, better to put a small group of 8-12 fish in one tank instead of keeping a pair as this might result in one of them being picked on. Moreover, keeping 8-12 fish in a tank also assists in finding many hiding places like caves and plants for some cichlids to move away as and when one cichlid begins to become aggressive.Cichlid Info: Species Cichlids are considered to be the non-Ostariophysan family, in freshwaters around the world, which features a wide range of species. The most diverse forms are found in Africa and South America. Africa alone is believed to host 1600 species while Central America and Mexico are a home for about 120 species. Madagascar, on the other hand, has its own distinctive species which include Oxylapia, Paratilapia, Paretroplus, Ptychochromis, and Ptychochromoides. Moreover, these species are only indistinctly related to those on the African mainland.Cichlid Info: Feeding The variety of feeding styles enables the cichlids to dwell in similarly varied habitats. Most of the cichlids are largely herbivores feeding on plants and algae. A small part of their diet is formed by small animals, specifically invertebrates. Other cichlids are, however, detritivores which consume all kinds of organic material. The rest species are predatory which consume little or no plant matter. This category includes generalists which catch different small animals, like insect larvae and other fishes. Many cichlids, either entirely or partly, also feed on other fish. Cichlid Info: Breeding Cichlids feature well organized breeding activities. All the species exhibit parental care for both larvae and eggs. The cichlids also nurture free-swimming young until they are weeks/months old. Multiple cichlid species exhibit communal parental care which involves multiple monogamous pairs caring for a mixed school of young. The different categories of parental care are -a.Substrate or open brooders which lay eggs on different surfaces like rocks, logs, or leaves. These cichlids are known as hands-on parents wherein the male cichlid watches over the territory while the female cichlid is busy caring for the fry till they hatch.b.Secretive cave brooders are those which lay eggs in cervices, caves, holes, or any other secretive place. These cichlids have been noted to commune with the young ones through fin flicking and shaking.c.Two types of mouth brooders – ovophile mouth brooders, which filch up their eggs and hold them in their mouths till they hatch, and larvophile mouth brooders, which do the opposite by laying eggs on open surfaces or in caves and then hold up the hatched fry into their mouths.Cichlid Info: Population StatusThe population status, as given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2010, classifies 184 species as vulnerable, 52 species as endangered, and 106 species as critically endangered. Six species are also listed as extinct, but many more species are included in the list.
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Cichlid question by Al: What is a good south american dwarf cichlid to breed?
So 20gallon tank with a perfect amazon set up. Currently i’m breed kribensis in there but i really want a pair of south americans instead. What is a good starting south american cichlid. Keeping in mind i have already bred cichlids and kept other types of fish.
Cichlid best answer:
Answer by DAHARKAZ ANGEL
First thing that come to mind before reading the entire question was Dwarf Blue Rams……not necessarily easy but if you like a Challenge and a Beautiful fish then they are the go. Not to mention 20 gal doesn’t leave you with many options. Here:
http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm
Best of luck Angel
