Cichlid Information

The largest fish family in the world is the family Cichlidae. Made up of approximately 160 Genera with more than 1,300 described species, this family is found in the Americas (Central and South America) as well as Africa and Asia.
Cichlids are the second most colorful fishes, second only to marine fishes. Cichlid colors vary widely, to include, blues, yellows, reds and greens.
These fishes tend to be more aggressive than the standard tropical fish, but in a tank with other cichlids, their aggressive nature makes for a very active and interesting tank.
South America is home to Angelfish, Discus, Oscars, Jack Dempsey, and Rams. These fish require a pH of 7.0, matching the pH found in the standard home aquarium.
Although Austin Aquariums sells Cichlids from all over the world, Michael leans more towards the species found in Africa, specifically the rift Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika.
Some 150 million years ago, as Gondwanaland broke up into the continents of India, Australia, Antarctica, Africa, and South America, two large splits in the earth opened in Central Africa trapping early fishes. Over time, these rifts continued to fill with water to become deep, highly mineralized lakes. Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world, with a maximum depth of two miles. Over millions of years, these fishes evolved separately from all other fish species. Today we know these fishes as African Rift-Lake Cichlids, whose closest relative is the salt-water damselfish.
Michael loves to discuss the fishes found in these lakes, as well as the other regions of the world. Come in and use his experience with these animals to create a lively, exciting tank of these colorful fishes.

credit : Original Composition by Michael Holcomb and Charles Teel.
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