CICHLIDS FOR YOUR AQUARIUM

CICHLIDS

Recent estimates suggest that the family Cichlidae comprises approximately 1,650 scientifically described species across 253 genera, with total species estimates ranging between 2,000 and 3,000. New species continue to be discovered and described regularly, reflecting the group's remarkable diversity and ongoing research efforts.

This group exhibits a vast diversity of color, behavior, size, and body shape. Cichlids are found across the world, including Africa, South America, Asia, Central America, and even North America. All Cichlids belong to a single family, Cichlidae, and in this book, they are classified by their geographical origins. Most Cichlids kept in captivity come from the Great African Rift Lakes, Lake Malawi or Lake Tanganyika; various African rivers, the Amazon Basin in South America, or Central America.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

The Cichlid family includes an extensive and diverse group of fish, making generalizations difficult. However, many Cichlids are known for their aggressive tendencies. This behavior is often linked to their highly developed brood care. Other Cichlids are shoaling fish that thrive in groups.

PAIRING

Cichlids form several types of bonds between males and females, including:

  • Monogamy – The male and female remain together after spawning.
  • Polygyny – The male stays with multiple females.
  • Polyandry – The female bonds with multiple males. This is rare.
  • Agamy – No lasting bond forms; the pair separates after spawning.
BROOD CARE

Cichlids exhibit various methods of parental care, categorized into six family structures:

  1. Nuclear or Parental Family – Both parents equally share the duties of raising the young. This structure is common among monogamous, open-water brooders.
  2. Matriarch/Patriarch Family – The female cares for the brood while the male defends the territory. Once the fry become free-swimming, both parents assume equal responsibility.
  3. Patriarch/Matriarch or Male-with-Harem Family – The male defends a large territory that includes multiple spawning sites of several females. Each female tends to her own brood.
  4. Matriarch Family – No pair bond forms. The female alone guards the eggs and fry, common among ovophile mouthbrooders.
  5. Patriarch Family – Similar to the matriarchal structure, but the male carries the eggs and fry. This is rare, with Sarotherodon melanotheron being the only known example.
  6. Extended Family – Parents, along with older offspring from previous spawnings, help care for the young. This occurs among certain Lake Tanganyika Cichlids, such as Julidochromis and Neolamprologus.
BREEDING

Cichlids have highly developed reproductive behaviors. Nearly all species lay their eggs on a substrate such as rocks, plants, or sand. Cichlids are categorized into two breeding groups: Open Brooders and Shelter Brooders.

  • Open brooders – These species lay eggs on an open surface like rocks, sand, or plants. Clutch sizes can reach up to 10,000 eggs. Examples include Pterophyllum, Symphysodon, and most Cichlasoma species.
  • Shelter brooders – Divided into cavity brooders and mouthbrooders:
    • Cavity brooders lay eggs in caves, with both parents actively protecting them. Examples include Apistogramma, Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, and Pelvicachromis.
    • Mouthbrooders take their eggs or fry into their mouths at some point during brood care. They are further classified into:
      • Ovophile mouthbrooders – The female collects the eggs into her mouth during or after spawning, where they remain until hatching. Some males display colorful egg spots on their anal fins, which play a role in fertilization. Examples include Aulonocara, Haplochromis, and Pseudotropheus.
      • Larvophile mouthbrooders – These species lay eggs on a substrate and later collect the fry into their mouths for protection. Examples include Geophagus and Sarotherodon.
DUMMY-EGG SPOTS

Many Cichlids, particularly those from Lake Malawi, have colored patches on their anal fins known as egg spots. These markings play a role in fertilization by mimicking real eggs. During spawning, the female attempts to collect these "eggs," prompting the male to release sperm, which fertilizes the actual eggs inside her mouth.

FEEDING

Cichlids exhibit diverse feeding habits, but most have large appetites and are easy to feed. They are categorized into three primary feeding groups:

  • Omnivorous Cichlids – The most common group, feeding on insects, crustaceans, worms, and plant matter. They should receive a mixed diet in aquariums. Examples include Cichlasomines, many West African species, Angelfish, and Heros species.
  • Carnivorous Cichlids – Predatory fish specialized in eating other fish. In aquariums, they consume live fish, worms, insects, and crustaceans. Examples include many Haplochromines, Pike Cichlids (Crenicichla), and Cyphotilapia species.
  • Herbivorous Cichlids – Primarily feed on plant matter. In aquariums, they require plant-based diets. Some species also consume algae and the microorganisms within it, known as Aufwuchs. Examples include some Tilapia species, Lake Malawi Mbunas, and Lake Tanganyika Tropheus.


African Cichlids


American Cichlids
Asian Cichlids