pkppv
Fish Crazy
Yes, if i saw a cichlid i would know it was one. Also, i know they are fish of the family Cichlidae. But what makes these fish what they are? Why are they in this family? What are their distinguishing characteristics? Thanks a lot!
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What Is A Cichlid?
- Thread starter pkppv
- Start date
GShorty1981
Fish Herder
its to do with internal organs, they are a ray finned fish in the order of perciforms, and they are in the sub order of labradei with the marine clown fish and damsels (which are extremely cichlid like in looks and behaviour) what makes them different to the other labradei is they have teeth in side there throat, and theres probably other stuff.
When i first started in the hobby by myself 15 years ago, i used to think Gouramis were cichlids because they have a lot of cichlid traits.
But nowadays i could spot a cichlid a mile off even if i had never seen the fish before in my life.
All cichlids have a similar look, even angel fish have similaritys to an oscar, its them big eyes, the pectoral fins and the ray fins on there backs.
When i first started in the hobby by myself 15 years ago, i used to think Gouramis were cichlids because they have a lot of cichlid traits.
But nowadays i could spot a cichlid a mile off even if i had never seen the fish before in my life.
All cichlids have a similar look, even angel fish have similaritys to an oscar, its them big eyes, the pectoral fins and the ray fins on there backs.
OP
OP
pkppv
Fish Crazy
interesting...I always thought it was just the ray fins, but then i wondered why sunfish werent cichlids
GShorty1981
Fish Herder
From wiki
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses (Labridae), damselfish (Pomacentridae), and surfperches (Embiotocidae).[1] This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described,[2] making it one of the largest vertebrate families. New species are discovered annually, and many species remain undescribed. The actual number of species is therefore unknown, with estimates varying between 1,300 and 3,000.[3]
Anatomy and appearance
Relationships within the Labrodei[1]
Cichlids share a single key trait: the fusion of the lower pharyngeal bones into a single tooth-bearing structure. A complex set of muscles allows the upper and lower pharyngeal bones to be used as a second set of jaws for processing food, allowing a division of labor between the "true jaws" (mandibles) and the "pharyngeal jaws". Cichlids are efficient feeders that capture and process a very wide variety of food items. This is assumed to be one reason why they are so diverse.[4] Cichlids vary in body shape, ranging from compressed and disc-shaped (such as Symphysodon), to triangular (such as Pterophyllum), to elongate and cylindrical (such as Crenicichla).[12]
The features that distinguish them from the other Labroidei include:[2]
A single nostril on each side of the forehead, instead of two.
No bony shelf below the orbit of the eye.
Division of the lateral line organ into two sections, one on the upper half of the flank and a second along the midline of the flank from about halfway along the body to the base of the tail (except for genera Teleogramma and Gobiocichla).
A distinctively shaped otolith.
The small intestine's left-side exit from the stomach instead of its right side as in other Labroidei.
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses (Labridae), damselfish (Pomacentridae), and surfperches (Embiotocidae).[1] This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described,[2] making it one of the largest vertebrate families. New species are discovered annually, and many species remain undescribed. The actual number of species is therefore unknown, with estimates varying between 1,300 and 3,000.[3]
Anatomy and appearance
Relationships within the Labrodei[1]
Cichlids share a single key trait: the fusion of the lower pharyngeal bones into a single tooth-bearing structure. A complex set of muscles allows the upper and lower pharyngeal bones to be used as a second set of jaws for processing food, allowing a division of labor between the "true jaws" (mandibles) and the "pharyngeal jaws". Cichlids are efficient feeders that capture and process a very wide variety of food items. This is assumed to be one reason why they are so diverse.[4] Cichlids vary in body shape, ranging from compressed and disc-shaped (such as Symphysodon), to triangular (such as Pterophyllum), to elongate and cylindrical (such as Crenicichla).[12]
The features that distinguish them from the other Labroidei include:[2]
A single nostril on each side of the forehead, instead of two.
No bony shelf below the orbit of the eye.
Division of the lateral line organ into two sections, one on the upper half of the flank and a second along the midline of the flank from about halfway along the body to the base of the tail (except for genera Teleogramma and Gobiocichla).
A distinctively shaped otolith.
The small intestine's left-side exit from the stomach instead of its right side as in other Labroidei.
OP
OP
pkppv
Fish Crazy
why thank you
snowflake311
Fish nerd
A cichlid is AN AWESOME FISH. 
GShorty1981
Fish Herder
Yep, i'm not even in the Tropical fish hobby, i'm in the Cichlid hobby only
minnnt
Fish Expert
Yep, i'm not even in the Tropical fish hobby, i'm in the Cichlid hobby only
Not according to your signature...
Great question, i have often wondered this myself... what makes a cichlid a cichlid and not a tetra or a barb etc etc.
GShorty1981
Fish Herder
Read the wiki thing, i mean what makes me a Homo Sapian Sapian and not a Canis Lupus?
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