Cichlids: Everything You Need to Know
Cichlids are a family of bony fish. They belong to the group of perch relatives. With more than 1,700 known species, cichlids are the third largest fish family after carp and gobies.
As many species are very colourful and also extremely easy to keep, cichlids are very popular ornamental fish.
Origin of the cichlids
The majority of cichlids live in Africa's large lakes, where they often make up the majority of the fish population and some species are important food fish. In addition, cichlids are also common in Central and South America and in parts of Asia.
Most cichlids are freshwater fish. Some species, however, also live in the brackish water of river mouths.
Man-launched cichlids have now spread to Europe and are increasingly displacing native species. For example, the chanchito, which originates from South America, can be found in southern Portugal and Spain, as well as in some German lakes.
Characteristics of the cichlid
In view of the great diversity of species, it is not surprising that the various cichlids differ from each other, sometimes quite considerably, from the outside. While the smallest specimens only reach a size of three centimetres, large cichlids grow to a length of up to 80 centimetres.
Many cichlids have an elongated, oval body with flattened sides. Depending on the habitat, however, their body can also have a completely different shape. There are, for example, species with a disc-shaped form or the physique of a pike.
The mouth shape of the cichlids is adapted to the respective diet of the different species and can therefore also vary considerably. The colour spectrum of cichlids ranges from inconspicuous shades of grey to strong blue and red, and there are both single-coloured and multicoloured fish.
Popular cichlid species for the aquarium
Apart from the importance of some species as food fish, some cichlids have become popular ornamental fish due to their attractive appearance and uncomplicated keeping.
These include the following cichlid species:
- Discus Fish
- Angelfish
- Butterfly Cichlids
Discus Fish
The name discus fish already suggests that this cichlid has the shape of a disc. The size of discus fish ranges from 12 to 20 centimetres. The tail fin is rather small compared to the rest of the body.
The scales of discus fish can shine in different colours, such as red, blue or yellow. There are both single-coloured and multicoloured specimens, whereby the fins on the back and belly often form a colour contrast.
Angelfish
Angelfish reach a length of about 15 centimetres and a height of 25 centimetres. Due to their pointed snout and long fin rays, the shape of these cichlids resembles a triangle or even an arrowhead.
The scale-dress of the angelfish, which is divided into three different species, shimmers in different colours and often has four, mostly black horizontal stripes.
Butterfly Cichlids
Butterfly cichlids are originally from Venezuela and are bred for keeping in aquariums in the colours yellow, red and blue, with males usually being much more colourful than females.
Male butterfly cichlids reach a body length of up to seven centimetres. Females, on the other hand, usually only grow to about five centimetres.
Looking after cichlids
Since the middle of the 20th century, cichlids have increasingly developed into popular ornamental fish in the aquarium industry. Cichlids are very much adapted to their respective habitats. The requirements that have to be met when keeping them therefore differ quite considerably depending on the cichlid species.
While small cichlids can easily be kept in aquariums with a volume of well under 100 litres, larger species require correspondingly more space. The situation is similar with regard to the requirements for setting up the aquarium.
Regardless of this, it is advisable to keep cichlids only together with conspecifics and not to keep any other fish besides cichlids in the same aquarium.
The plants for cichlids
Finding the correct plants for cichlids can be difficult. While dense planting is not a problem for some species, herbivorous cichlids tend to eat the aquarium plants quite quickly, making normal plant growth practically impossible.
Other species do not eat the aquarium plants, but dig them up again and again when searching for food. As with size, it is therefore important to consider the individual needs of each cichlid species when choosing plants for the aquarium.
Are cichlids aggressive?
Cichlids are often considered aggressive. Even though it’s true that some species exhibit distinct territorial behaviour, aggression is usually less a general characteristic of the fish, but rather a sign of mistakes in keeping them.
Some species of cichlids, such as Apistogramma (dwarf cichlids), even prove to be extremely peaceful aquarium inhabitants.
The reproduction of cichlids
Apart from so-called substrate spawners, there are also mouth breeders among the cichlids, which carry their offspring in their mouths and thus protect them from external influences.
In contrast to many other fish, such as goldfish, cichlids generally have a quite distinctive brood care. They protect their eggs from enemies and also clean them regularly. With some species, even the older siblings help to care for the young fish.
Cichlids nutrition
The countless different species of cichlids differ from each other not only visually, but also in terms of their diet. There are pure carnivores and herbivores as well as omnivores.
Depending on which cichlid species you have chosen, it is therefore necessary to adapt the diet to the respective needs of the fish.
Carnivorous cichlids require a protein-rich diet, unlike their herbivorous conspecifics, whose health can be quickly damaged by too high a protein content in their food.
Regardless of this, we advise that when buying ornamental fish food for cichlids, you should always ensure that it is of good quality and that the portion sizes are correct.
Aquaris ornamental fish food for cichlids
The Aquaris range offers you the right food for all types of cichlids. Our products are characterised by high-quality ingredients and good digestibility.
With ornamental fish food from Aquaris you will always make the right decision and support the growth and health of your cichlids from an early age.
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