Cichlids
(South American)
Order: Perciformes Family: Cichlidae Genus: Cichlasoma spp.
Found in the lakes and rivers of southern North America and throughout Central and South America. From Mexico, through the amazon and Orinoco basins, to the southern borders of Brazil.
| Habitat Living in lakes and slow flowing rivers, cichlids prefer shallow waters near the shore, where they can find plenty of food among the rocks and vegetation. The habitat available to them is vast, especially during the tropical rainy season,When the Amazon River and its tributaries burst their banks, flooding the surrounding forests and creating an extensive network of lakes. Cichlids are small fish and there are plenty of predators in the waters ranging from piranha to the Amazon River dolphin. |
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Behaviour Cichlids have very aggressive tempers. They are most quarrelsome during the breeding season, when the males claim territories and defend them against other males of the same species. However, both sexes attack fish they regard as threats, particularly when they have young to defend. |
| Despite their hostility, cichlids rely mainly on early detection for defence against predators. A row of sensory cells along the flanks alerts them to subtle shifts in the water currents and the possible approach of aquatic predators. |
Feeding
Cichlids feed among the stones and waterweed, investigating every crevice and
nosing about on the riverbed and lake floor. Although some prey on other fish,
members of the Cichlasoma genus are content with smaller prey such as
crustaceans, worms and shrimps. They crush hard shelled prey between the pharyngeal
bone (in their throat) and a hard pad in the palate. During high rainy season
floods, they move into the forests and take advantage of the extra food resources.
| Breeding Cichlids are unusual among fish in that many species form stable pairs and work together to defend their young from predators. Males compete for the best breeding sites, staking their claim and driving away smaller rivals. They glow with excitement during these encounters and their heightened colours help attract females in breeding condition. The female lays her egg sin a hollow pit or on carefully selected stones. The pair guards the clutch, fanning water over the eggs tto ensure a healthy oxygen supply. If any of the fry stray, a parent quickly scoops them up in its mouth and carries them back to the nest |
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