#cichlidae

Zebra Acara Cichlid (Ivanacara adoketa), family Cichlidae, order Cichliformes, found in Rio Uaupes and Rio Preto, two side rivers of Rio Negro in Brazil

Though most fish aren't noted for their parental abilities, discus fish should certainly be in the running for parent of the year. Both males and females secrete an orange mucus from their skin which is rich in proteins, nutrients, and antibodies- not unlike the milk secreted by mammals! Young discus fish feed off this mucus for about three weeks after hatching, at which time they're weaned and expected to find their own food.

Blue Victoria Mouthbrooder Haplochromis nubilus

A cichlid fish from Lake Victoria in Africa.

Common Crib aka Rainbow Crib (Pelvicachromis pulcher), family Cichlidae, order Cichliformes, found in freshwater ecosystems in southern Nigeria and to coastal areas of Cameroon