Cichlid Species

The number of cichlid species identified in the wild is well over 1,000 and biologists think that many more are waiting to be discovered. They are found in many locations throughout the world and include such favorites as the freshwater angelfish, the tiger oscar fish and the jack dempsey cichlid.

They can be quite fascinating and territorial, especially when they pair off and start to spawn. Some will tolerate tank mates and some can only be kept as lone individuals or in very aggressive species only tanks. Some retailers and breeders tend to keep them overcrowded in display tanks to try and limit the aggression and indeed it does seem to work. However, there could be many factors at play in this scenario. The water quality could be very poor, likely high in ammonia (and possibly nitrites) thereby causing them to appear more docile. The theory is that a crowding situation prevents a lone fish from becoming dominant over a few. There are just too many other fish to dominate in a crowded tank. Once you get a few of them acclimated and at home in your aquarium the situation could be completely different.

Use caution when selecting tank mates and due your research before getting any of these cichlids to make sure you can meet their requirements.

Fish Species Picture	Fish Scientific Name / Common Name
	Apsitogramma cacatuoides Cockatoo Cichlid
	Archocentrus nigrofasciatus Convict Cichlid
	Pterophyllum scalare Angelfish
	Symphysodon aequifasciatus Discus
	Thorichthys meeki Firemouth Cichlid
	Cichlasoma octofasciatum Jack Dempsey
	Hemichromis bimaculatus Jewel Cichlid
	Pelvicachromis pulcher Kribensis Cichlid - Krib
	Astronotus spp. Oscar
	Microgeophagus ramirezi Blue Ram Cichlid
	Amphilophus labiatus Red Devil Cichlid

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