Cichlids Zone

The Salvini Cichlid – A Colorful Wizard

The Salvini cichlid (en: Cichlasoma salvini) is a colorful South America cichlid, known also as yellow belly cichlid or tricolor cichlid, due to its impressive colors. While juveniles have a less shiny grey color, adults are bright yellow with two lines of black and blue dots running through their body. They possess long turquoise fins and have red bellies,…

Jaguar Cichlid – Large and Territorial

The Jaguar Cichlid (scientific name: Parachromis managuensis) is a South American freshwater cichlid, which has been introduced in the USA, Philippines and Singapore. It is a valuable species, traded not only for aquariums but also targeted in both recreational (game) and commercial fisheries and also produced in aquaculture.

As most cichlids, the species has…

Frontosa Cichlid – A Kind Giant

The Frontosa cichlid (scientific name: Cyphotilapia frontosa), also known as “humphead cichlid”, is an endemic species in Lake Tanganyika, widespread in the north part of the lake. It is a pelagic fish that is mainly encountered in the water column, in depths between 20-50 meters. The species can be distinguished from two main characteristics: a pronounced hump in…

The Firemouth Cichlid – A Colorful Jewel

The Firemouth cichlid (scientific: Thorichthiys meeki) was discovered in 1918 by Walter Lannoy. It is native in South America, usually encountered in rivers and lagoons in the peninsula of Yucatan in Mexico and also in Guatemala and Belize. It is a mid-sized cichlid, reaching a maximum length of 4.5-6 inches (13-15 cm). Its name originates from its…

Rainbow Cichlid – A Colorful Dwarf

The Rainbow cichlid (scientific: Archocentrus multispinosus) is a South America cichlid, member of the cichlid group commonly known as dwarfs, due to their small size. The species reaches a maximum size of 6 inches (15 cm), however in aquariums its length is usually around 3-4 inches (7-10 cm). It is a beautiful fish species, with colors ranging from lemon…

Convict Cichlids – The Fearless Zebra Cichlid

The Convict cichlid (scientific: Amatitlania nigrofasciata), known also as zebra fish, is a cichlid species native to the coasts of Central America, encountered in both the eastern side of the continent from Guatemala to Costa Rica and the western part, from Honduras to Panama. It usually prefers streams with moderate current and finds shelter in…

Electric Blue Cichlid Overview

The Electric Blue Cichlid – Bluest Cichlid Alive

The Electric Blue Cichlid (scientific name: Sciaenochromis fryeri) is a freshwater species endemic to the lake of Malawi, Africa. It is mostly known among aquarists because of its stunning blue colour, however this characteristic is limited to males, while female individuals usually have a silver colour. Both sexes display dark vertical bars on…

African Cichlids – The Rock Dwellers

African cichlid species make up an astonishing group of animals with great diversity in terms of colors, preferred habitats, prey and behavior. While one can encounter cichlids in small lakes and rivers, most of the species inhabit three great African lakes: Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. Consequently, African cichlids are classified in three…

South American Cichlids Overview

South American Cichlids, or “new world cichlids”, are a group of colorful, durable species which although not as famous as African cichlids, they display a remarkable variety of shapes, colors and behaviors. An estimated number of 450 cichlid species can be encountered in rivers and lakes of South America, however 75% of the known species can be encountered in a…

Lake Victoria Cichlids – Little Colorful Survivors

Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world and one of the youngest lakes in Africa. Despite its young age, it hosted a remarkable number of species which has attracted the interest of many scientists studying fish evolution: the lake had been characterized as an evolutionary miracle, hosting a variety of species including…

Lake Tanganyika Cichlids – A Stunning Diversity of Freshwater Fish

Lake Tanganyika is one of the oldest and largest lakes in the world. It is also the second deepest lake in the world, having a depth of approximately 4823 ft (1420 m). It hosts more than 150 cichlid species belonging to more than 50 genera. These species are classified in twelve groups, eight of which are endemic to the lake.

Lake…

Lake Malawi Cichlids – A Group of Colorful Unique Fish

Lake Malawi is one of the oldest and largest lakes of the world, known for the clarity of its waters and the fascinating amount of fish species that it hosts. It is estimated that it hosts around 1000 species of fish species, only a third of which is scientifically described and catalogued. Apart from 44 fish species which belong to other…

Breeding Cichlid Species – A fascinating and Rewarding Procedure

The family of the cichlids, consists of more than 2000 species with different needs and habits, including their breeding behaviour. However most of the species are divided into two main groups: mouthbrooders and substrate brooders.

In mouthbrooding species, females incubate the eggs into their mouth after spawning and after…

A brief introduction to cichlids. This is a recently revised article. Enjoy.

Introduction to Cichlids – Fascinating Tank Inhabitants

Cichlids (family: Cichlidae) are a group of freshwater fish species, typically encountered in South America, Africa, India and Madagascar. The family so far consists of more than 1500 species with the list increasing as more species are described every year. They are typically encountered in lakes and rivers, however some species have been…

An Introduction to Cichlids

Cichlids (family: Cichlidae) are a group of freshwater fish species, typically encountered in South America, Africa, India and Madagascar. The family so far consists of more than 1500 species with the list increasing as more species are described every year. They are typically encountered in lakes and rivers, however some species have been reported in saltwater, mainly in brackish waters and…

South American Cichlids habitat

South American cichlids habitat

  The South American cichlids habitat is very diverse to that of Africans. Logs and limbs largely supplant rough outcrops yet having a foundation that can give safe secure retreats are essential. We feel darker rock, for example, the Red Gravel mix suits the intelligent colours of South American cichlids, looked at to lighter substrates spawners who will structure…