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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
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
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
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Amphilophus labiatus, Species
Source Wikidata: Amphilophus labiatus
Apistogramma hongsloi, Species
Source Apistogramma hongsloi (Wikidata)
Apistogramma panduro, Species
Source Apistogramma panduro (Wikidata)
Australoheros facetus, Species
Source Wikidata: Australoheros facetus
Blue acara, Species
Source Blue acara (Wikidata)
Convict cichlid, Species
Source Convict cichlid (Wikipedia)
Crenicichla punctata, Species
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Crenicichla punctata
Firemouth Cichlid, Species
Source Firemouth Cichlid (Wikidata)
Goldeneye cichlid, Species
Source Wikidata: Goldeneye cichlid
Green terror, Species
Source Green terror (Wikidata)
Ivanacara bimaculata, Species
Source Wikidata: Ivanacara bimaculata
Jack Dempsey (fish), Species
Source Jack Dempsey (fish) (Wikidata)
Laetacara curviceps, Species
Source Laetacara curviceps (Wikidata)
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)
Petenia splendida, Species
Source Petenia splendida (Wikidata)
Pterophyllum altum, Species
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Pterophyllum altum
Redbreast tilapia, Species
Source Redbreast tilapia (Wikidata)
Spotted tilapia, Species
Source Wikidata: Spotted tilapia
Teleocichla cinderella, Species
Source Teleocichla cinderella (Wikidata)
Tropheus moorii, Species
Source Tropheus moorii (Wikidata)
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
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
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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