| Cichlids are a type of freshwater fish. They form a | | | | herbivores. They eat algae and plants for the most |
| large and diverse family of fish. There are currently | | | | part, but small animals and invertebrates do still make |
| 1,300 scientifically described species. Each year, new | | | | up a small part of their diet. Other cichlid species are |
| species are discovered. For this reason, no one quite | | | | detritivores. This means that they will eat any type of |
| knows how many species of cichlids exist. | | | | organic matter that comes across their path. They are |
| Generally speaking, cichlids are of a medium size, | | | | not picky by any stretch of the imagination. Other |
| ovate in shape, and are laterally compressed. Many | | | | cichlids are carnivores or predators. They will eat |
| species of cichlids are important food fishes such as | | | | smaller fish of any species and consume very little to |
| tilapia. Other types are important for game fishing. | | | | no plant life. |
| Many other types are popular by aquarium owners the | | | | Because of the wide range of dining preferences |
| world over. For this reason, and many others, the | | | | evident among various cichlids, they are able to |
| cichlid species is the most species-rich family of fish in | | | | occupy a large number of incredibly diverse habitats. |
| freshwaters world wide. | | | | Some fish are purely freshwater while others have |
| The population of cichlids is most popular in South | | | | been able to live in both brackish and salt water |
| American and Africa. The fish is also prevalent in | | | | environments. In addition, there is a wide variety in |
| Central America from Panama through Mexico. There | | | | where the fish live in their habitats. Some prefer living |
| are even cichlids found, naturally, in the Rio Grande | | | | among the plants while other prefer living more in open |
| which separates Texas and the United States from | | | | water. All of these things have helped cichlids develop |
| Mexico. While cichlids do not appear naturally in the | | | | into a wide array of fish. |
| United States north of the Rio Grande, in areas where | | | | Since the 1940s, cichlids have been increasingly popular |
| the climate is right, such as in Florida, colonies have | | | | as aquarium fish. This is because they are ideal for |
| started of the fish. | | | | aquariums. Many are small to medium sized. In addition, |
| Cichlids, like many other species, have a diverse diet. | | | | it is also easy to feed the fish with a wide range of |
| Many of the 1300 discovered species are primarily | | | | prepared foods. |