Cichlids
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Origins: Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Known only from the northwestern coast of the lake.
Scientific Name: Labidochromis caeruleus
Common Name: Yellow Labidochromis
Size: 3"
Preferred pH range: 7.4 – 8.0
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / aggresive
Comments: Aquarium keeping: many females for one male
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There are approximately 1300 scientifically described species, and due to the many species that remain undescribed, it has been estimated that the number will reach more than 1900 species, making it one of the three largest vertebrate families. Cichlids span a wide range of body sizes, from species as small as 1" in length to much larger species approaching 3' in length
Yellow Labidochromis
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Origins: Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in the southern part of the lake from Jalo Reef, north of Nkhota Kota southward along the entire western coast down to Crocodile Rocks including all islands and reefs.
Scientific Name: Melanochromis auratus
Common Name: Auratus
Size: 4"
Preferred pH range: 7.4 – 8.0
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / aggresive
Comments: Found in rocky habitats. Feeds from the biocover by nibbling and picking on the algae. Aquarium keeping: many females for one male
Auratus
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Astronotinae
Origins: South America: Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia and Brazil to Argentina
Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus
Common Name: Oscar
Size: 18"
Preferred pH range: 6.4 – 7.4
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / aggresive
Comments: Preferably inhabits quiet shallow waters. Feeds on small fish, crayfish, worms and insect larvae. Occurs in mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and ponds
Red Tiger Oscar
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlasomatinae
Origins: North and Central America: Atlantic slope from southern Mexico (Papaloapán River) to Honduras (Ulua River).
Scientific Name: Cichlasoma octofasciatum
Common Name: Jack Dempsey
Size: 10"
Preferred pH range: 6.8 – 7.4
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / aggresive
Comments: Occurs in swampy areas with warm, murky water. Found in weedy, mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and drainage ditches. Prefers coastal plains and slow moving waters of the lower river valleys. Feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and fish
Jack Dempsey
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlasomatinae
Origins: South America: Amazon River basin, in tributaries along the Solimões-Amazon River from the Putumayo River in Colombia and Peru, to the Tocantins River basin.
Scientific Name: Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Common Name: Blue Discus
Size: 5"
Preferred pH range: 6.0 – 7.0
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / semi-aggresive
Comments: In deep, rocky areas in crevices and among roots. Normally in schools, but territorial during breeding season. Feeds on insect larvae, insects, and planktonic invertebrates. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; keep pairs in small tanks for breeding
Discus
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Geophaginae
Origins: South America: Orinoco River basin, in the llanos of Venezuela and Colombia.
Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Common Name: Ram
Size: 1.5"
Preferred pH range: 6.0 – 7.0
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / semi-aggresive
Comments:
Ram
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Origins: SAfrica: Southern Nigeria. Also known from the coastal zone of Cameroon
Scientific Name: Pelvicachromis pulcher
Common Name: Kribensis
Size: 4"
Preferred pH range: 6.8 – 7.4
Temperature Range: 72-78 F
Temperment: Community / semi-aggresive
Comments: Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects. Aquarium keeping: in pairs
Kribensis
