| Cichlids come in all shapes and sizes and live in South | | | | other environmental problems are allowed to go too |
| America, North America, Africa and Asia. Since they | | | | far - we would probably find a wide range of new |
| require warm conditions, they are only found south | | | | cichlid species and even new genera. |
| of 30 degrees North on the North American | | | | As mentioned above, cichlid species have evolved to |
| continent. Many aquarium keepers are fond of cichlids | | | | fit into a vast array of different ecological niches and |
| and keep them in their tropical aquariums. Since | | | | they will therefore display diverse characteristics. |
| cichlids have adapted to a wide range of different | | | | There are however a series of physical |
| habitats, you can almost always find cichlids that are | | | | characteristics shared by all cichlid species. The cichlids |
| suitable for your particular aquarium and level of | | | | will for instance have only one single nostril - just like |
| experience. | | | | the damsel fishes. Unlike many other fish groups, the |
| Most beginner aquarium keepers have comparatively | | | | cichlids are equipped with teeth in the upper and |
| small aquariums and can therefore be tempted to get | | | | lower jaws, and even inside the throat. The cichlids |
| some of the dwarf cichlid variants for their first cichlid | | | | have a small intestine that leaves the body at the |
| aquarium, but before you make such a decision you | | | | left side of the cichlid, instead of the right side which |
| should be aware that dwarf cichlids are more | | | | is the normal anatomy for fishes. |
| sensitive and harder to keep than most medium-sized | | | | Cichlids are appreciated by aquarium keepers all over |
| cichlids. Choosing a sturdy, medium-sized cichlid is | | | | the world and some of the most popular aquarium |
| therefore usually a better idea for the novice | | | | fishes belong to the family Cichlidae. Oscar |
| aquarium keepers, even if it means that you must | | | | (Astronotus ocellatus), Jack Dempsey (Archocentrus |
| purchase a larger aquarium or keep a lower number | | | | octofasciatum), freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum |
| of fishes. | | | | scalare) and the various Discus variants are just a |
| The cichlids belong to a family named Cichlidae that | | | | few examples of cichlids commonly found in |
| currently contains more than 1300 described species | | | | aquariums. Before you purchase a cichlid, you should |
| in 105 different genera. These numbers will however | | | | always find out its preferred environment, |
| most likely change in the future, since many of the | | | | temperament, maximal size and feeding habits since it |
| waters where cichlids can be found are far from | | | | is impossible to create an aquarium that is suitable for |
| comprehensively explored by science. We only have | | | | all different cichlid species. Giving general guidelines |
| to take a look in the Great Rift Valley lakes on the | | | | regarding cichlid keeping is quite a waste of time, |
| African continent to marvel at the abundance of | | | | since one cichlid species may be killed or severely |
| endemic cichlid species that can be found in each lake. | | | | stressed by water conditions that are highly suitable |
| If these lakes were to be thoroughly investigated - | | | | for another member of the same family. |
| before pollution, over fishing, invasive species and | | | | |