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This family is unique to its diversity, for size, shape, swimming
levels and even behaviour. Body shapes range from the disc-like
Discus, to the long and pointy Checkerboard. These fish can be
very colourful, although many fish in this family get to a very
big proportion. One of the most frustrating things about cichlids - although
you can get them to breed, they can be very, very territorial wjen spawning.
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 Keyhole Cichlid (Aequidens maronii): The Keyhole is reported to be one of the most peaceful of cichlids,
and don't burrow often and shouldn't damage plants. They form a nuclear
family and can care for the fry up to 6 months
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 120 mm |
Guyana |
Medium |
Carnivore |
24 C |
Friendly |
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 Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus): These are a very popular fish, although too many new aquarists buy them, and then find out
that they will eventually grow too large in their aquariums. Best to keep them in a very large tanks (roughly 100 gallons). They are carnivores, so any smaller
fish may become victim to their diet. They are open breeder, and the brood should be cared for well.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 330 mm |
S.America |
Difficult |
Carnivore |
24 C |
No small fish |
Photo - Charlie Hatch.
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 Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher): A very attractive
Cichlid, and a very popular fish, as it only grows up to 3-4". It would form pairs, and then
into a close-knit family, which would then defend its territory/eggs.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 90 mm |
Africa |
Easy |
all foods |
24 C |
Tolerant |
Photo - Andrew Chant, Queensland, Australia.
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Angelfish (pterophyllum scalare): Angelfish has black bars on a silver-coloured body.
However many new varieties have been developed. They are very graceful, slow moving, and are quite aggresive at
breeding times.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 120 mm |
C.America |
Easy |
all foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
Picture- Freshwater Aquarium
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Atlum Angel (pterophyllum atlum): Of course, very similar to the Scalare. It can be
a more of a difficult fish to keep, as it demands correct good water conditions (acid, clean) , They aremostly wild caught, and are quite rare. Would be territorial if were breeding.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 180 mm |
S.America |
Moderate |
all foods |
28 C |
Species |
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 Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa): Very attractive fish, classic white and black striped colour on the body.
They are territorial, but given enough space they can tolerate others, and shouldn't harm plants. You can distinquish females/males,
as males can have a pronounced bump on the forehead.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 350 mm |
Africa |
Moderate |
Live foods |
24 C |
Tolerant |
Picture - Henry Deford, H & B Cichlids
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 Electric Yellow (): A very attractive fish, bright yellow body colour, Dorsal fin has a
black streak giving it a good look. This is a peaceful fish, and is not territorial.
They live in pairs, and form a matriach family
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 150 mm |
Lake Malawi |
Easy |
Flakes, Live foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
Picture - Matt Staroscik
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 Ram (Apistogramma ramirezi): This is a colourful fish, with blue spots across its body. It also
has orange, yellow and purple hues. They are sensitive to change
in the tanks water conditions
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 60 mm |
S.America |
Moderate |
all foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
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 Checkerboard Cichlid (crenicara filamentosa): The fish is brown, covered in checkerboard
pattern of deep blue and orange. The fins are red and blue. This fish
tends to lurk around the bottom of the aquarium, and likes hiding places.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 75 mm |
S.America |
Easy |
all foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
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 Discus (Symphysodon discus): The Discus is a veryattractive fish, but it is
very delicate so I would not recommend for the beginner. It needs the
water temperature of 28C.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 150 mm |
S. America |
Difficult |
Meat |
28 C |
Species |
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 Firemouth cichlid (Cichlasoma meeki): The Firemouth Cichlid has an red
colour on its underbelly, which can be quite intense. The fish can be very
territorial during spawning, otherwise they will be peaceful to other tank mates.
They are great parents, and make a nuclear famaly.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 90 mm |
Guatemala |
Moderately easy |
all foods |
24 C |
friendly |
Picture - Freshwater Aquarium and Shirlie Sharp.. |
 Lemon Cichlid (Neolamprologus leleupi): True to its name, it is has a pure
lemon colour all over its body. It is normally a peaceful fish, although
it can be quite aggresive if there are too many fish in the tank. They are cave
breeders, and the male will defend the territory during spawning.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 100 mm |
L.Tanganyika |
Difficult |
Live foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
See even more fish: Anabantoids,
Cyprinids,
Characins,
Livebearers,
Killifishes,
Catfishes,
Different fish
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