African Cichlids
Prepare to meet some colourful swimmers. We are home to a school of male and female fish.
These fish come from a big family
Cichlids are freshwater fish found throughout Africa, Central and South America, and parts of the Middle East and southeast Asia. There are believed to be well over 1,000 different cichlid species, with more to be discovered. This species is known for being colourful, as well as being hardy in different salinities.
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (at relatively low risk of extinction)
- Type: Fish
- Habitat: Lakes, rivers, and swamps throughout Africa, Central and South America, Jordan, Iran, India, and Sri Lanka
- Diet: Omnivore – phytoplankton, zooplankton, and algae
- Size: 4 centimetres long
- Weight: 60 to 80 grams
facts about our animals
Fun Facts about African Cichlids
Cichlids are oviparous, meaning that females incubate eggs in their mouths.
Most cichlid species are found in Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, which are all in eastern Africa.
They are found in water that is above 20 degrees Celsius.
Cichlid species are known for being territorial.
For the first week of their life, cichlids may return to their mother’s mouths for safety.
Cichlid is prounounced “sick-lid”.
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