Cichlids

Cichlids 

Cichlids are fish from a large and diverse family Cichlidae, which includes approximately 1.300 described species, and the large number of undiscovered species, it is assumed that the final number of species of this family reach the 1.900. Cichlids are fish that are significantly different in shape, color, size, lifestyle and behavior.
The size of the representatives of this family range from 2.5 centimeters to 1 meter, while the body forms ranging from strongly laterally flattened to cylindrical. The shape of the body depends on the environment in which there are: laterally flattened fish such as those from the genus Pterophyllum are adjusted hiding among dense aquatic vegetation, while the body shape of fish from the genus Julidochromis specialized feeding into the narrow hole in the rocks.


Males are larger and more intensely colored, very territorial and often aggressive with their fish and other species. Vividly colored species are becoming increasingly popular aquarium fish, while less frequent those unsightly paint. Some species, like tilapia, are important fish in the diet.

Cichlids in the nature of the tropical waters of South Asia, Africa, South and Central America. Most often found in fresh, either current or stagnant water, although some species (of which the most important types of genera Etroplus and Sarotherodon) can be found in bocatnim and salt waters.

Cichlid food varies as much as they do. There are species which are primarily herbivores and feed on algae and soft parts of higher plants, and feeding only occasionally include small invertebrates. Other species are capable predators - carnivorous whose prey ranges from snails, insect larvae, sponges and the other fish. A smaller number of species belongs to detritovore, feeding on rotting organic matter.

Some fish in this family are highly monogamous, while others form harems consisting of one male and several females. All representatives of this family show a strong parental care of eggs and young. Eggs or young are kept both or only one parent, depending on the species. Parents species that lay eggs in the open (the leaves of plants, rocks or substrate) Aeris water around the eggs, removed pljesnjivu neoplodenu and eggs, and is aggressively guard against predators. Another form of parental care is the preservation of eggs and young in their mouths, and can be found in fish from the genus Haplochromis. Females of these types of eggs immediately after oplodenju placed in the mouth and there was kept during incubation and after hatching young. During all this time, females do not eat and spend their time hidden than other fish, which they sometimes try to force him to throw young out of the mouth. Although females are generally the ones that keep young in the mouth, it can be males and less often both parents. Some species, such as discs, are known for their ability to feed their young skin secretions.