k
ld) Any of various tropical and subtropical freshwater fishes of the family Cichlidae, many of which are popular as aquarium fish.[From New Latin Cichla, type genus, from Greek kikhl
, a
kind of fish; see ghel-1 in Indo-European Roots.] What are Cichlids?
cich·lid (skld)
Any of various tropical and subtropical freshwater fishes of the family Cichlidae, many of
which are popular as aquarium fish.[From New Latin Cichla, type genus, from
Greek kikhl, a
kind of fish; see ghel-1 in Indo-European Roots.]
There are more than 600 species of fishes of the family Cichlidae (order Perciformes), many of which are popular aquarium fishes. Cichlids are primarily freshwater fishes and are found in tropical America, Africa and Madagascar, and southern Asia. The majority of species are African, appearing in great diversity in the major African lakes.
Cichlids are rather deep-bodied and have one nostril (rather than the usual two) on each side of the head. They generally have rounded tails and, though sizable for aquarium fishes, usually do not grow longer than about 30 centimetres (12 inches). In many species, the rear edges of the dorsal and anal fins are pointed and the pelvic fins are elongated.
Depending on the species, cichlids range from vegetarian to carnivorous. They are noted for their complex mating and breeding behaviour. This usually involves courtship and preparation, maintenance, and defense of the nest and protection of the new young. In certain species, they breed their young in the mouth. Examples include certain catfishes and cardinal fishes. The male of the sea catfish Galeichthys felis places up to 50 fertilized eggs in its mouth and retains them until they are hatched and the young are two or more weeks old. The cardinal fish Apogon imberbis incubates the eggs in the pharynx. Both the male and female Symphysodon discus take turns mouthing the eggs.