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Taxa

Cichlidae

Fish Families

Cichlidae, whose members are called cichlids, is a large, diverse and widespread family of percomorph fish in the order Cichliformes. At least 1,760 species have been scientifically described, making cichlids one of the largest vertebrate families, surpassed only by Cyprinidae in species diversity, and they inhabit the Neotropics, Africa including Madagascar, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, with some populations introduced elsewhere in the world.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Family 2
Geographic Distribution
Neotropics, Africa including Madagascar, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, with some species introduced worldwide 2
Defining Characteristics
All cichlids practice some form of parental care, usually guarding the eggs and fry or mouthbrooding 2
Member Count Band
Over 1000 Species 3
Era First Appeared
Paleogene 4
Partially Attested
Member Species/Taxa Count
1760 2
The source says at least 1,760 species have been described and estimates the true number at 2,000 to 3,000
Distinguishing Appearance
A wide range of body sizes 2
The quoted clause states that body size varies widely and does not describe a single shared appearance
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Amatitlania siquia, Species
Source Amatitlania siquia (Wikipedia)
Amphilophus labiatus, Species
Source Wikidata: Amphilophus labiatus
Apistogramma borellii, Species
Source FishBase: Apistogramma borellii (FishBase)
Apistogramma hongsloi, Species
Source Apistogramma hongsloi (Wikidata)
Apistogramma panduro, Species
Source Apistogramma panduro (Wikidata)
Apistogramma regani, Species
Source Apistogramma regani (Wikipedia)
Apistogramma viejita, Species
Source FishBase: FishBase: Apistogramma viejita summary
Australoheros facetus, Species
Source Wikidata: Australoheros facetus
Banded dwarf cichlid, Species
Source FishBase: Apistogramma bitaeniata summary page (FishBase)
Biotodoma cupido, Species
Source Biotodoma cupido (Wikipedia)
Blue acara, Species
Source Blue acara (Wikidata)
Blue-eye cichlid, Species
Source Blue-eye cichlid (Wikipedia)
Convict cichlid, Species
Source Convict cichlid (Wikipedia)
Crenicara punctulata, Species
Source GBIF: GBIF species match for Crenicara punctulata
Additional Source Crenicara punctulata (FishBase)Classification / Names
Additional Source Crenicara punctulata (Wikipedia)Lead
Crenicichla punctata, Species
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Crenicichla punctata
Firemouth Cichlid, Species
Source Firemouth Cichlid (Wikidata)
Geophagus altifrons, Species
Source Geophagus altifrons (Wikipedia)
Goldeneye cichlid, Species
Source Wikidata: Goldeneye cichlid
Green terror, Species
Source Green terror (Wikidata)
Iodotropheus sprengerae, Species
Source Iodotropheus sprengerae (Wikipedia)
Ivanacara bimaculata, Species
Source Wikidata: Ivanacara bimaculata
Jack Dempsey (fish), Species
Source Jack Dempsey (fish) (Wikidata)
Laetacara curviceps, Species
Source Laetacara curviceps (Wikidata)
Lugubria johanna, Species
Source Lugubria johanna (Wikipedia)
Maylandia callainos, Species
Source Maylandia callainos (Wikipedia)
Mesonauta festivus, Species
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Mesonauta festivus
Nannacara aureocephalus, Species
Source Nannacara aureocephalus (Wikidata)
Neolamprologus brichardi, Species
Source Neolamprologus brichardi (Wikidata)
Parachromis managuensis, Species
Source Parachromis managuensis (Wikidata)
Pearl cichlid, Species
Source Pearl cichlid (Wikipedia)
Petenia splendida, Species
Source Petenia splendida (Wikidata)
Pseudotropheus crabro, Species
Source Pseudotropheus crabro (Wikipedia)
Pterophyllum altum, Species
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Pterophyllum altum
Redbreast tilapia, Species
Source Redbreast tilapia (Wikidata)
Spotfin goby cichlid, Species
Source Spotfin goby cichlid (Wikipedia)
Spotted tilapia, Species
Source Wikidata: Spotted tilapia
Tanganyika clown, Species
Source Tanganyika clown (Wikipedia)
Teleocichla cinderella, Species
Source Teleocichla cinderella (Wikidata)
Tropheus moorii, Species
Source Tropheus moorii (Wikidata)
Zebra acara, Species
Source Zebra acara (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web: CichlidaeGeographic Range: "The great majority of cichlids are found in the"
Quote, Geographic Range: "The great majority of cichlids are found in the"
The great majority of cichlids are found in the Great Lakes of East Africa (Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika), where between 800 and 2100 species are thought to exist.
Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web: CichlidaeGeographic Range: "However, some of the most primitive species, whi"
Quote, Geographic Range: "However, some of the most primitive species, whi"
However, some of the most primitive species, which are found in Madagascar (17 species) and Asia, also inhabit brackish waters.
Madagascar

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web: CichlidaeGeographic Range: "However, some of the most primitive species, whi"
Quote, Geographic Range: "However, some of the most primitive species, whi"
However, some of the most primitive species, which are found in Madagascar (17 species) and Asia, also inhabit brackish waters.
North America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web: CichlidaeGeographic Range: "The remaining distribution includes South Americ"
Quote, Geographic Range: "The remaining distribution includes South Americ"
The remaining distribution includes South America (approximately 290 species), Central America and Mexico (approximately 95 species), North America (one species), and the Middle East - Iran, Syria, Israel and Palestine (five species).
South America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web: CichlidaeGeographic Range: "The remaining distribution includes South Americ"
Quote, Geographic Range: "The remaining distribution includes South Americ"
The remaining distribution includes South America (approximately 290 species), Central America and Mexico (approximately 95 species), North America (one species), and the Middle East - Iran, Syria, Israel and Palestine (five species).
The Indian Subcontinent

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

The Middle East

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Tropics

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ3406, descriptionView the Source
2. Cichlid, Wikipedia
  • Lead section, first sentence
    are a large, diverse, and widespread family of percomorph fish
  • Lead section, species count sentence
    At least 1,760 species have been scientifically described
  • Lead section, range sentence
    They are native to the Neotropics, Africa (including Madagascar), the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, although some species have been introduced worldwide.
  • Behaviour section, parental care sentence
    All cichlids practice some form of parental care for their eggs and fry, usually in the form of guarding the eggs and fry or mouthbrooding.
  • Description section, size sentence
    Cichlids span a wide range of body sizes
View the Source
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Cichlidae
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
Quote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 1778
View the Source
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Cichlidae
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Cichlidae" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 56 ... "early_interval": "Ypresian"
View the Source
Wikidata: Cichlidae
Wikidata Q3406, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Blue acara (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Blue acara, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Jack Dempsey (fish) (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Jack Dempsey (fish), Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Parachromis managuensis (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Parachromis managuensis, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Green terror (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Green terror, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Teleocichla cinderella (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Teleocichla cinderella, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Nannacara aureocephalus (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Nannacara aureocephalus, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Firemouth Cichlid (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Firemouth Cichlid, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Neolamprologus brichardi (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Neolamprologus brichardi, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Tropheus moorii (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Tropheus moorii, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Redbreast tilapia (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Redbreast tilapia, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Petenia splendida (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Petenia splendida, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Apistogramma hongsloi (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Apistogramma hongsloi, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Laetacara curviceps (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Laetacara curviceps, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Apistogramma panduro (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Apistogramma panduro, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Australoheros facetus
Parent Taxon Of: Australoheros facetus, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Goldeneye cichlid
Parent Taxon Of: Goldeneye cichlid, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Ivanacara bimaculata
Parent Taxon Of: Ivanacara bimaculata, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Amphilophus labiatus
Parent Taxon Of: Amphilophus labiatus, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Spotted tilapia
Parent Taxon Of: Spotted tilapia, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
FishBase: FishBase: Apistogramma viejita summary
FishBaseParent Taxon Of: Apistogramma viejita, Classification
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Apistogramma viejita, Classification
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
View the Source
Amatitlania siquia (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Amatitlania siquia, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Amatitlania siquia, Lead
is a species of cichlid
View the Source
Spotfin goby cichlid (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Spotfin goby cichlid, Lead, cichlid
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Spotfin goby cichlid, Lead, cichlid
is an African species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika
View the Source
Blue-eye cichlid (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Blue-eye cichlid, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Blue-eye cichlid, Lead
The blue-eye cichlid (Cryptoheros spilurus) is a small species of fish in the family Cichlidae.
View the Source
Tanganyika clown (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Tanganyika clown, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Tanganyika clown, Lead
is a small species of fish in the family Cichlidae
View the Source
Lugubria johanna (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Lugubria johanna, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Lugubria johanna, Lead
is a species of cichlid native to South America
View the Source
Crenicara punctulata (FishBase)
Parent Taxon Of: Crenicara punctulata, Classification / Names
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Crenicara punctulata, Classification / Names
Teleostei (teleosts) > Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) > Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Cichlinae
View the Source
Crenicara punctulata (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Crenicara punctulata, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Crenicara punctulata, Lead
is a species of cichlid fish native to creeks and rivers in the Amazon and Essequibo basins in South America
View the Source
GBIF: GBIF species match for Crenicara punctulata
GBIFParent Taxon Of: Crenicara punctulata, Backbone match
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Crenicara punctulata, Backbone match
"family": "Cichlidae"
View the Source
FishBase: Apistogramma borellii (FishBase)
FishBaseParent Taxon Of: Apistogramma borellii, Classification / Names
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Apistogramma borellii, Classification / Names
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) > Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Geophaginae
View the Source
Maylandia callainos (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Maylandia callainos, Lead, family
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Maylandia callainos, Lead, family
is a species of cichlid
View the Source
Pseudotropheus crabro (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Pseudotropheus crabro, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Pseudotropheus crabro, Lead
is a species of cichlid
View the Source
Iodotropheus sprengerae (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Iodotropheus sprengerae, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Iodotropheus sprengerae, Lead
is a species of cichlid
View the Source
FishBase: Apistogramma bitaeniata summary page (FishBase)
FishBaseParent Taxon Of: Banded dwarf cichlid, Classification / Names
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Banded dwarf cichlid, Classification / Names
Teleostei (teleosts) > Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) > Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Geophaginae
View the Source
Geophagus altifrons (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Geophagus altifrons, Lead, family
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Geophagus altifrons, Lead, family
A member of the family Cichlidae
View the Source
Zebra acara (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Zebra acara, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Zebra acara, Lead
is a species of cichlid from Rio Uaupes and Rio Preto, two side rivers of Rio Negro in Brazil
View the Source
Apistogramma regani (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Apistogramma regani, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Apistogramma regani, Lead
Apistogramma regani is a species of South American dwarf cichlid.
View the Source
Pearl cichlid (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Pearl cichlid, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Pearl cichlid, Lead
South American cichlid family
View the Source
Biotodoma cupido (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Biotodoma cupido, Lead
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Biotodoma cupido, Lead
is a species of cichlid native to the Amazon and Essequibo basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guayana, and Peru.
View the Source
Convict cichlid (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Convict cichlid, Introduction
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Convict cichlid, Introduction
The convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is a fish species from the family Cichlidae, native to Central America, also known as the zebra cichlid.
View the Source
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Mesonauta festivus
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyParent Taxon Of: Mesonauta festivus, Taxon record
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Mesonauta festivus, Taxon record
"family": "Cichlidae"
View the Source
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Pterophyllum altum
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyParent Taxon Of: Pterophyllum altum, Taxon record
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Pterophyllum altum, Taxon record
"family": "Cichlidae"
View the Source
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Crenicichla punctata
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyParent Taxon Of: Crenicichla punctata, Taxon record
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Crenicichla punctata, Taxon record
"family": "Cichlidae"
View the Source
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