Cichlid

Cichlids (Cichlidae) are a family or `perciform' (the order is probably polyphyletic) secondary freshwater fishes, that inhabit most of the Paleotropics (Africa) and the Neotropics (Americas south of ca. 30 deg N). The family in very diverse and has some 2000 species, in sizes that range from ca. 3 cm (e.g. Apistogramma) to close a meter (Boulengerochromis, Cichla), and with morphologies ranging from highly compressed (Pterophyllum, Symphysodon) to extremely elongated (Teleogramma, some Crenicichla spp.). Diets are also diverse: generalized predators, plakton-feeders, herbivores, piscivores, scale-eaters, paedophagus (eat other species' young). All species show some form of parental care for both eggs and larvae, often extended to free-swimming young until they are several weeks old. Some species are important food fishes, and many other are valued aquarium fishes.