What Are Cichlid Fish?
Cichlids (pronounced sick-lids) are a large species of fish belonging to the family Cichlidae. They are freshwater fish that come in an assortment of bright colors and sizes. Among the most common aquarium fish in the cichlid family are angelfish, Oscars, Jack Dempseys and discus. There are over 1,300 different species of cichlid.
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What Differentiates Cichlids From Other Fish
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Even though cichlids species are quite varied, they all have a few things in common. Almost all other fish species have a small intestine that exits the body on the right side. Cichlids' small intestines exit their bodies on the left. They also only have one nostril. Many freshwater fish do not have teeth, but the cichlids have teeth in the upper and lower jaw, as well as in their throat.
Natural Habitat
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Cichlids live in Asia, Africa and south of 30 degrees N in America. They are classified in three main groups: African cichlids, Central and North American cichlids and South American cichlids. The most common aquarium cichlid is the African cichlid. Africa is home to three large lakes, Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria, where the cichlid species are indigenous. They are divided into subcategories according to which lake they come from.
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Characteristics
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African cichlids are aggressive fish. They are extremely territorial and will attack other fish species, and even other cichlids, if threatened. They are the most colorful freshwater fish, which is why they are so popular among hobbyists. They breed well in captivity because they adapt to aquarium life easily. Most African cichlids are mouth brooders. This means that once the eggs are fertilized by the male, the female picks the eggs up in her mouth and carries them there until they hatch about three weeks later. Even after hatching, she will sweep the babies back into her mouth if she thinks they are threatened.
Heirarchy
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Within their schools or in an aquarium, there will be dominant fish and submissive fish. Usually, the largest cichlid will act aggressively toward smaller fish, sometimes killing them. Color comes into play to show dominance, too. Usually, the brightest colored fish are the more dominant ones, while a pale fish could indicate a submissive, smaller cichlid. Dominant, territorial males will also be brightly colored in hopes of attracting a mate.
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