Cichlids

Numerous ornamental forms of this species have been selectively-bred for the aquarium trade. It has also been assigned the 'A' number A234 under the DATZ system with possibly conspecific, related forms similarly numbered A103, A104, and A105 depending on locality.

Apistogramma commbrae and other members of the commbrae complex can be distinguished from congeners by the conspicuous double caudal peduncle spot. This species may also be polymorphic, with some males exhibiting red and blue markings on the cheeks and a yellow gular region.

The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection data if available in order to avoid mixing them and the potential of hybridisation. Member species have also been organised into a series of species lineages, sublineages, complexes and groups by authors in order to better separate them.

The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection data if available in order to avoid mixing them and the potential of hybridisation.

Native to the lower Amazon river basin in Brazil with some populations exhibiting differences in colour pattern to one another, particularly in respect of the degree of red and blue pigmentation on the body and fins. Type locality is given simply as 'Amazon River, Brazil'. Field observations suggest it to display a pref...

Wild fish are probably foragers feeding on algae, organic detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. In the aquarium it's easily-fed but the best condition and colours offer regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia, and Artemia, alongside good quality dried flakes and granules, at least some of which should include additional plant or algal content.

Has been collected from habitats containing clear, soft, acidic, tea-coloured blackwater, most typically among leaf litter or submerged vegetation in very shallow (10-50 cm depth) water along the margins of streams and other minor tributaries. At a village called El Niñal close to the mouth of the rio Pasimoni in the Casiquiare drainage pH was...

This species is relatively rare in the aquarium trade. It can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of possessing ctenoid (vs. cycloid) scales on the sides of the head plus lacking a dark spot at the caudal-fin base.

This species was known as L. sp. 'Buckelkopf' in the aquarium hobby prior to publication of its official description. It's distinguished from all congeners by possessing 7-8 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 9–10 in L. dorsigera, L. fulvipinnis and L. thayeri, 8–9 in L. curviceps and L. flamannellus, and 9–11 in L. flavilabris).

Sympatric fish species in the grasslands include Rivulus schuncki, juveniles of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus and an unidentified Nannostomus sp. One contrasting locality was a flowing igarapé with the fish collected from shallow water alongside Apistogramma gossei, Crenicichla inpa,unidentified...

Often overlooked when seen for sale, as juveniles can appear a little dull, A. thomasi is actually one of the best choices for the newcomer to dwarf cichlids. It is relatively undemanding, peaceful, easily bred and quite beautiful once settled into the aquarium. The species is currently monotypic, although several colour forms are available from time to time. In the future some or all of these may prove to be distinct species....

This species differs from all other described members of the genus by the presence of dark blotches at the dorsal and ventral base of the pectoral fins. Three very similar-looking fishes have been assigned the codes A106, A107 and A108 under the DATZ system and are also known in the aquarium hobby as A. sp. 'rotpunkt' (this form has been in the hobby for decades with its precise origin unclear), A. sp. 'rotpunkt Orteguazas' (the paratype form of A. alacrina) and A. sp. 'rotpunkt Guayas', respectively. It remains to be seen whether they're conspecific with A. alacrina or not since they exhibit some differences in colour pattern and morphology.

Localities known in the hobby include 'Pastaza', 'Putumayo', 'Requena', 'Río Nanay', 'Rio Napo', 'Maniti', 'Momón', 'Río Tigre', 'Río Ampiyacu', 'Shishita', 'Shushupi', 'Yavari', 'Tefé', 'Manaquiri', 'Lago do Januari', 'Mamori' (often misspelled 'Mamuri'), 'Careiro', 'Manacapuru', 'Juruá', 'Curuaí', and 'Purutu' though we've been unable to find anywhere matching the latter name within the species' known distribution, and in fact several of these names are applied incorrectly on a regular basis.

Apistogramma cinilabra

The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection data if available in order to avoid mixing them and the potential of hybridisation.

Apistogramma pantalone

This species is assigned the 'A' number A204 under the DATZ system with possibly conspecific, related forms coded A205 or A206 depending on collection locality and representing populations from Argentina and the rio Guaporé, respectively. The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description.

Apistogramma viejita

This species may also be sold variously as 'yellow regal cichlid', 'Baensch's peacock', 'sunshine peacock' and 'Nkhomo-Benga peacock'. The easiest way to distinguish it from similar-looking congeners is to look at the profile of the snout, which is steeper and more curved than that of its congeners. Aulonocara spp. are benthophagous by nature employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remaining material expelled via the gills and mouth. They're equally-skilled at hunting as grazing, tending to hover above the substrate until tiny movements are detected, and possess enlarged sensory pores on the head which assist in this technique.

Some eminent authors believe this species to be a geographical variant of the highly variable congener A. stuartgranti rather than a distinct taxon but since most popular resources continue to view it as valid we also list it here. At Masinje it has been observed to show a distinct preference for rocky caves and crevices in relatively shallow (3-6 metres deep) water. This is in contrast to most other members of the genus, which tend to forage over sand, but similar to behaviour seen in A. jacobfreibergi.

Males of this species occur in a wide range of colour forms depending on locality, with blue variants being found predominantly (but not exclusively) towards the north of the lake and yellow in the south. This variation, alongside its relatively extensive distribution, has resulted in some taxonomical issues, several of which have not yet been resolved. For example, two forms from the southwest of the lake are referred to as A. sp. "stuartgranti maleri" and A. sp. "stuartgranti mbenji", respectively, and may turn out to be distinct species given their colour patterns an...

This species can be told apart from relatives by the characteristic 'keyhole' shaped marking on each side of the body. It's one of few fishes in which the current generic name is derived from the common name popularised in the aquarium hobby with 'Cleithracara' a combination of the Greek kleithron, meaning lock, and, acará, the Guaraní word for cichlids.

This species was originally classified in the genus Limnochromis. There are a couple of colour morphs available and these should not be mixed in aquaria, as they may hybridise. In nature, this fish feeds in a similar way to Geophagus species, in that it will sift sand through its gills to extract invertebrates hidden in the substrate. It is a deep water fish and has been recorded foraging at depths of up to 200 metres. These movements seem to be related to the presence of the plankton on which...

Not recommended for the beginner or for the general community tank, despite often being sold as such. The Jewel Cichlid is regularly seen in the trade. Recently, Hemichromis lifalili has become the more popular fish. These species can be easily distinguished as H. lifalili have only 2 black spots on the flanks whereas H. bimaculatus has 3, having an extra spot on the caudal peduncle....

Often confused with Hemichromis bimaculatus. These species can be easily distinguished as H. lifalili have only two black spots on the flanks whereas H. bimaculatus has three, having an extra spot on the caudal peduncle. It can also be told apart from the similar red form of H. guttatus by comparing the midlateral markings of the two. In lifalli the marking is round and is situated above the lateral line. In guttatus the marking is oval in shape and some of it extends below the lateral line. ...

Like many cichlids, members of the genus Herichthys share something of a confused taxonomic past. Erected in 1854 with H. cyanoguttatus the type species, its members were moved into Cichlasoma by Regan in 1905. However following a review of Cichlasoma by Kullander in 1983 it was once again deemed valid. In 1996 Kullander suggested Herichthys should only contain species "sharing a colour pattern of short vertical bars or black spots posteriorly from the middle of the side, and a unique breed...

The severum is one of the most poular and readily available cichids in the hobby, however not everyone realises that these fish can attain a fairly large size and are therefore not suitable for every aquarium. The fish is normally sold in the standard green variety and also gold. Severums make good fish for a South American community setup, as long as there are no fish small enough for them to eat. They grow quite quickly, so should be housed in an adequately sized tank from the start....

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L. kungweensis can be distinguished from similar species such as L. hecqui by the gold colour on the top of the eye. It also has a distinctive black spot towards the back of the dorsal fin. It is not often seen in the hobby....

This species was originally sold as M. fuscus and then M. sp. "lepidophage. The name refers to the act of lepidophagy, which is the act of a fish eating the scales of another fish. In nature M. lepidiadaptes apparently lives an opportunistic lifestyle, feeding almost solely on the scales of other species, although interestingly not other mbuna. However in aquaria this behaviour has never been witnessed. Do not keep it with other Melanochromis species as they may hybridise....

M. ramirezi is also known by the names 'Ramirez' dwarf cichlid' and 'butterfly cichlid' and is among the more popular dwarf cichlids in the aquarium hobby. As a result, it is produced on a commercial basis in huge numbers and a number of ornamental strains have been developed including 'gold', 'long-finned' (both blue and gold forms; also traded as 'lyre-tail', 'veil-tail' and 'hi-fin'), 'electric/neon blue', 'super neon blue gold' 'pearl/perlmutt' and 'balloon'.

Nannacara taenia is rarely seen for sale in local aquatic stores. Largely, because it is a fairly unremarkable fish, tending towards a drab brown appearance. You are more likely to obtain this fish through specialist cichlid dealers or amateur enthusiasts....

O. lithobates is a true rock dweller and is hardly ever seen in open water, even in aquaria. In fact, the scientific name lithobates literally translates as "rock dweller". Breeding males of this species rank among the most stunning of Lake Malawi Haplochromine cichlids. The three characteristic spots on the flanks disappear and are masked by a stunning neon blue patterning. Almost the entireand top of the head turn a deep yellow-orange colour. The most colourful variant is the "...

Parachromis Motaguensis are a truly stunning fish. They exhibit gorgeous colours, but can be a nightmare to keep. Do not even consider housing any other fish with Motaguensis when they are breeding, as the other fish will be hurt - even if significantly bigger than the pair of False Yellowjackets. Motaguensis make a nice addition to a big central/north American cichlid tank, with similarly aggressive fish - but be careful that you don't choose a compatible pair of Motaguensis or you wil...

Now the only species in the genus Paratilapia, P. polleni is known as the "marakely" to many natives in Madagascar, which means "black fish". As with most Madagascan cichlid species, it is highly endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction and competition from introduced species and all attempts at captive breeding are to be encouraged. There is still some confusion as to the identity of the "true" P. polleni as there are both large and small-spotted forms...

Wild caught specimens of this fish possess a truly amazing set of lips! They are massively enlarged and designed for scraping algae and invertebrates from rock surfaces. In nature, these actually develop in direct proportion to the amount of turbidity in a given locality. Fish inhabiting more turbulent waters have larger lips, as the algae in these areas is anchored to the rocks more firmly. In the aquarium, the lips usually recede or, in tank bred fish, do not develop at all, as they are not re...

One of the more popular and readily available Protomelas species in the hobby, P. taeniolatus is very similar to P. fenestratus. Several colour forms of both these species exist. Some of the popular morphs of taeniolatus include "Red Empress", "Super Red Empress" and "Blue Fire". It is likely that some of these may be reclassified as distinct species in the future, as they attain different maximum sizes. None of these related species or morphs should be kept togethe...

Pterophyllum leopoldi can be differentiated from other members of the genus by the presence of up to 11 vertical stripes on the body, though often only the 3 largest, boldest stripes can be seen. This species also shows a dark patch over the operculum. In adult specimens, a red/maroon hue over the back and fins is characteristic of the species, leading some to believe the most colourful natural form Angelfish. The name-sake roman nose possessed by the fish is also very distinctive and used as a meristic feature.

A well known and popular aquarium fish. Angels are available in a number of colour forms including black, gold and koi strains, in addition to the standard silver. It is worth remembering that although angels are generally peaceful, they are still cichilds so some aggression should be expected from time to time.

A bright blue variant normally referred to as 'electric blue Jack Dempsey' or simply 'EBJD' is of unclear origin but it appears to be an ornamental strain fixed from a natural mutation. Care is as per the natural form although the blue fish tend to remain smaller and some reports suggest them to be less aggressive. R. octofasciata has a confusing taxono...

An easily kept cichlid whose character more than compensates for its somewhat drab colouration, S. casuarius is sometimes seen for sale as "Humphead", "Lionhead" or "Buffalohead" cichlid. It is a reophilic fish meaning it inhabits fast waters. Its swimbladder is modified to reduce buoyancy and thus prevent it from being swept away by the strong currents in it's natural habitat. In the aquarium it spends most of it's time resting on the substrate or hiding ...

Sand dwelling Malawian cichlid species such as this can be somewhat delicate in the aquarium. A rigorous tank maintenance schedule is recommended to keep them in top shape; with small, regular partial water changes a necessity. Also take care with feeding as discussed above. It is likely this species will eventually be assigned to a different genus, as there is some confusion surrounding Tramitichromis and it's scientific validity. The fish included in the genus differ from Lethrinops sp...

The Blackbelt Cichlid gets its name from two things: firstly the vertical black stripe around its flank, and secondly its toughness. Vieja maculicauda is a tough, aggressive fish and should be respected as such. Maculicauda is a relatively easy fish to keep. They are not impossible to breed, but not the easiest fish either. If you seriously intend to breed this fish, it is a wise decision to house 6 juvenile fish in a large tank (212 litres at least), and let them pair off. When a pair has be...

This fish feeds in a similar way to Geophagus species in that it will sift sand through its gills to extract invertebrates and morsels hidden in the substrate. It was until recently classified in the genus Enatiopus and is still named as such in much of the available literature. There are slight geographical variations in colour but these are not major. Interestingly, the shoals in which these fish live in nature appear to be fixed. That is, that an individual will remain in the same group for ...

The genus Acarichthys remains monotypic and was resdescribed by Kullander (1986) who characterised it by the following: lack of epibranchial lobe; comparatively few (12-14)rays; pelvic fins with relatively broad tips (branches of the first ray are equal in length or the inner is slightly longer); possession of a single supraneural plus 14-15 vertebrae (these characters taken as a combination); no caudal extensions to swim bladder; no caudal ribs. Its current taxonomic position is based largel...

This cichlid is a true wonder of nature. It lives in a soda lake which is full of hot, alkaline springs. The water contains a high concentration of sodium carbonate and other dissolved minerals and salts. The water conditions in the lake are typically pH 9.5-10.5, kH 7000+ and temperature 90-110°F! The water also has a sg reading of 1.2+ and is very shallow, having a maximum depth of only 2 metres. The fish can be acclimatised to more 'normal' conditions but the pH should not be al...

A. calvus is a predator by nature and its body shape has been adapted to allow it to enter small crevices and gaps in the rockwork of Lake Tanganyika to prey on eggs, fry and small fish. Its laterally compressed shape makes the fish hard to spot head on, giving it an advantage over would be predators and prey alike. It is also quite well-armoured, possessing thick scales which can be turned towards potential attackers. These can cause real damage with their serrated edges. Several colour form...

This species was previously known as 'Aequidens' pulcher but has been considered s member of the genus Andinoacara since 2009.

Julidochromis are commonly known as "Julies" in the hobby. This is one of the most common Julie species encountered in aquaria and may also be sold as the Yellow or Ornate Julie. The majority of specimens available are tank bred and do not exhibit as bright colouration as wild fish. As with other Julies, large water changes should be avoided as this can cause mated pairs to turn on one another. Several geographical morphs of this species are available, as is an aquarium sport albino...

A charming little cichlid with real character, L. ocellatus is a deservedly popular hobbyists' fish. It has an endearing habit of burying its shell and defending it against all-comers. Many an unsuspecting hobbyist has recieved a sharp nip from an ocellatus who feels its territory is being invaded. Neighbouring shells may also be buried to prevent other fish moving in. Koning has hypothesisesd that the burying of the shell and the resultant pile of sand around it not only provides additiona...

Care must be taken when purchasing this species as females look so different to males that the sexes were initially described as separate species!

This species is very similar to L. ocellatus and often carries the trade name "black ocellatus". It is found living alongside L. stappersi in nature....

This fish was originally thought to be a morph of L. ocellatus but has now been described as a distinct species. It is still occasionally offered for sale as "pearly ocellatus" and may also be seen under the invalid name L. meleagris....

This species is rarely imported. It is easily confused with N. parilus but can be distinguished by the fact that male fish lack the barring seen in the upper part of the of parilus and have dark edges to the scales on the body. Females can be distinguished by the spotting in the lower part of the caudal, which is unpatterned in parilus. We do not recommend this species to the beginner due to its very specific water and care requirements....

N. parilus is one of the commoner Nanochromis in the hobby as it is more easily collected from its natural waters than most species. It is easily confused with the less often seen N. nudiceps but can be distinguished by the fact that male fish exhibit a barred patterning inn the upper half of the which is not present in nudiceps. Females can be distinguished by the unpatterned lower part of the caudal, which is spotted in nudiceps. There are a couple of geographical variants available. We do ...

One of our favourite dwarf cichlids, N. transvestitus is a truly stunning fish when in good condition. However, it is not recommended to the beginner due to its very specific water requirements. The scientific name is derived from the fact that the female is the more colourful fish, making it something of an oddity....

N. boulengeri can be distinguished from the similar N. hecqui and Lamprologus kungweensis primarily by the orange border on the dorsal and anal fins, although its adult patterning is somewhat different to the other species. Unlike many other shell dwellers, it will spawn in small caves if no shells are made available....

N. brevis is one of the commoner species of shell dweller available in the hobby. Several colour morphs are available including "sunspot", "katabe" and "sambia". As mentioned above, it is often found in areas within Lake Tanganyika where relatively few snail shells collect and in these areas, pairs of fish will share the same shell. This behaviour may or may not be observed in the aquarium, depending on the number of shells provided and the individual fish. The terr...

This stunning species was only described in 1997 and is included in the so-called "Brichardi complex", which also includes N. brichardi, crassus, falcicula, gracilis, pulcher, savoryi and splendens. The species should not be mixed in aquaria as they will hybridise freely. N. helianthus can be distinguished from others in the complex by its overall yellow-orange patterning and v-shaped cheek marking....

One of the most popular Tanganyikan species in the hobby, N. leleupi is a stunning fish when in good condition. However, it is not as easy to maintain as its popularity suggests, due to its disagreeable attitude towards conspecifics and its sensitivity to deteriorating water conditions. It is a solitary species in nature, with male fish entering females' caves as they find them and spawning with receptive females. This explains the weak pair bond formed by spawning fish in aquaria and also ...

A less often seen but good looking species with a deeply forked tail. It was previously sold as Neolamprologus sp. "walteri".

This is probably the smallest known cichlid species and exhibits truly fascinating behaviour. The territories it establishes are very small, usually measuring no more than 6" across, but they are defended vigorously. The tiny fish will even bite hands or fingers that invade their 'personal space'! Highly recommended to anyone wishing to observe some unique behaviour on a small scale....

This species is included in the so-called "Brichardi complex", which also includes N. brichardi, crassus, falcicula, gracilis, pulcher, savoryi and splendens. These should not be mixed in aquaria, as they will hybridise freely. N. olivaceouscan be distinguished from others in the complex by the two curved markings on the gill cover. It is possible that it is synonymous with N. pulcher, as proposed by Konings (1993)....

This species is included in the so-called "Brichardi complex", which also includes N. brichardi, crassus, falcicula, gracilis, helianthus, olivaceous, pulcher, and splendens. These should not be mixed in aquaria as they will hybridise freely. N. savoryi can be distinguished from others in the complex by it's distinctive patterning of vertical bars....

N. similis is one of the less frequently seen shelldwellers in the hobby but has no less personality than its cousins. The territories it establishes are very small, usually measuring no more than 6" across, but they are defended vigorously. The tiny fish will even bite hands or fingers that invade their 'personal space'! It can be distinguished from the similar N. multifasciatus by the presence of additional barring on the head and neck and also in this species the stripes appear...

One of the most common and popular Cichlid species in the hobby, the vast majority of Kribensis (often simply called "Krib" by many fishkeepers) seen in the hobby today are captive bred and are far more adaptable in terms of water chemistry than the wild fish. They also tend to be less aggressive when breeding. An aquarium sport albino form is available and is fairly popular. This fish is one of the best choices for newcomers to both Cichlids and fish breeding, being of a manageable...

This is one of the less commonly seen Pelvicachromis species in the hobby. There are a few morphs available, including "Matadi" and "Moanda". Males and females of these should not be cross bred in order to keep the lines pure. It can be distinguished from others in the genus by it's higher, shorter body shape and by the fact that the spotting in the upper part of the is much lighter in this species than in others. A female condition is hard to confuse with anything else....

This stunning species is now much more readily available than it once was. There are over a dozen morphs available, including "Dehane", "Moliwe", "Kienke", "Lobe", "Wouri", "Nigeria Red" and "Calabar". Males and females of these should not be cross bred in order to keep the lines pure. It can be distinguished from others in the genus by the more pronounced upper lip, which is often bright yellow in colour. Males of this spe...

This species was one of the first cichlid species to be spawned in captivity and has been in the hobby for over a century. It is less popular than it once was but remains a good choice for the beginner as it is tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and is easily bred. There currently exist 2 subspecies, Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor multicolor and P. m. victoriae. These are quite distinct in terms of colouration and patterning and exist as separate populations in nature. Both subspecie...

V. moorii exists in several geographical morphs but interestingly the only variation in colour occurs in juvenile fish. All adults exhibit a dark patterning but depending on locality the fry may be dark (like adults), yellow or orange with the yellow and orange juveniles taking on the adult colouration as they mature. It is has been observed that the forms which undergo this colour change may 'plant' broods among fry of other species with similarly coloured young, leaving them to be gu...

This species was previously included in the genus Nannacara before being moved to the newly-erected taxon Ivanacara by Römer and Hahn (2006)....

This species varies in colour pattern depending on locality. Some of them are sold under several such names with the variant from Kigoma being known variously as A. compressiceps "Kigoma red", "Kigoma red fin", "Kigoma orange top" or "firefin" for example. The different populations should ideally be kept apart in aquaria and clearly labelled with collection locality in order to avoid hybridisation. Forms popular in the aquarium hobby include: - &quo...

This apparently undescribed species was traded as 'Aequidens' sp. 'Orinoco' but following Musilová et al. (2009) appears to be a member of the genus Andinoacara.

Numerous ornamental forms of this species have been selectively-bred for the aquarium trade, some of which include. It has also been assigned the 'A' number A234 under the DATZ system with possibly conspecific, related forms similarly numbered A235, A236, A237, A238, A239, A240, A241 and A242 depending on locality. The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition ...

This species is assigned the code A188 under the DATZ system and is also known by the trade names A. sp. 'Inca/Inka', A. sp. 'Inka 50', A. sp. 'highfin nijsseni', A. sp. 'Nijsseni 2', A. sp. 'red crescent' or A. baenschi 'Inca'. It's among those members of the genus produced on a commercial basis and is regularly available in the aquarium trade.

This species has been assigned the code A174 under the DATZ system, and is also known by the trade names A. sp. 'Maulbrüter/mouthbrooder', A. sp. 'Glaser' (these referring to the 'red' colour form) and A. sp. 'Hauswell' (referring to the 'white' colour form). It can be told apart from other members of the genus most eas...

Numerous ornamental forms of this species have been selectively line-bred for the aquarium trade, vernacular names for which include "sunset", "sunburst", "double red", "triple red", "gold", "white gold", "orange flash" and "albino". It has also been assigned the 'A' number A200 under the DATZ system with possibly conspecific, related forms similarly numbered A201, A202 and A203 depending on locality. Th...

The form from the rio Içana tends to have more blue markings on the head than that from the Uaupés, while a reddish population apparently collected close to the settlement of Tucana (sometimes mis-spelled 'Tucano') on the Uaupés is sometimes traded as A. elizabethae 'super red'. Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description.

Known only from Loreto region in northeastern (Amazonian) Peru. Type locality is 'Río Pintuyacu, 48 kilometers on road from Iquitos to Nauta, Río Itaya drainage, Province Loreto, Peru' and it's also been recorded from tributaries of the Nanay system in the same area. An additional population is known from the Río Tapiche, a tributary of the Río Ucayali located well over 150 km further south.

The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection data if available in order to avoid mixing them and the potential of hybridisation. Member species have also been organised into a series of species lineages, complexes and groups by authors in order to better separate them.

The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection data if available in order to avoid mixing them and the potential of hybridisation. Member species have also been organised into a series of species lineages, complexes and groups by authors in order to better separate them. Such lists have been augmented by fish that have appeared in the aquarium trade and are in a state of near-constant flux

Prior to decription this species was known as A. sp. 'großmaul' or 'bigmouth', and it has also been assigned the code A190 under the DATZ system. The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection data if available in order to avoid mixing them and the potential of hybridisation.

This species is also known by the alternative vernacular names 'blue panda cichlid', 'blue sky dwarf cichlid and 'azure cichlid' as well as the confusing trade name A.sp. 'pandurini'. It has also been assigned the 'A' number A183 under the DATZ system with possibly conspecific, related forms similarly numbered A184 or A185 depending on locality. It can be distinguished from similar-looking species by the length of the lower jaw which characte...

This species is assigned the code A52 under the DATZ 'A' number system and is also known by the trade names A. sp. 'Apache', A. sp. 'Peru (II)', A. sp. 'Peru-regani', A. sp. cf. regani (Belém) and A. sp. 'carapintada'. Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or ma...

The German term 'breitbinden' translates literally as "broad-banded" and refers to the uniformly broad suborbital stripe seen in males of this 'species' which remains undescribed despite being known in the aquarium hobby for several decades. It's often imported as bycatch among shipments of wild-collected A. iniridae. Some of the populations have also been assigned th...

This undescribed species was first collected and subsequently appeared in the aquarium hobby during 2008. It was exported again in late 2009 and early 2010 under the names A. sp. 'Jutai' and A. sp. 'diamond face', and said to have been collected in the Río Jutai, Amazonas state, Brazil. The Jutai is a south bank tributary of the Solimões but lies several hundred kilometres downstream of Leticia so this information, from a purportedly trustworthy source, initiall...

This species is assigned the code A138 under the DATZ system, with the Venezuelan variant referred to as A139 for easy reference. The genus Apistogramma is among the most speciose of South American cichlid genera with around 70 species valid at present but many more awaiting description. In addition many species exist in two or more geographical colour forms which may or may not turn out to be distinct in the future. Hobbyists tend to label these with collection dat...

This is currently the only described member ofthe genus and despite having a wide distribution, it's not particularly common in Lake Malawi. Correspondingly it's not seen all that often in the hobby either. It's beak-like mouthparts are specially adapted to allow it to hunt smaller fish among crevices between rocks. It can also extend the mouth in all four directions at once, allowing it to swallow prey up to around 4" long! As well as hunting amongst rocks, Aristoch...

This species is also referred to as 'velvet cichlid', 'red oscar', 'tiger oscar', or 'marble cichlid'. It is a popular aquarium fish although its adult size and typical life-span of 10-20 years must be taken into account before purchase. Numerous ornamental strains are now available, and while care is more-or-less identical for all of them a degree of additional care must be taken with the 'long-finned' variety which is a little less competitive than other forms.

Endemic to Lake Malawi where it was described from and only occurs around 'Chitendi Island', now normally referred to as Chitande island plus a short stretch of coastline between Ngara and Chilumba along the lake's northwestern shoreline. Aulonocara spp. are benthophagous by nature employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remaining material expelled via the gills and mouth. They're equally-skilled at hunting as grazing, tending to hover above the substrate until tiny movements are detected, and possess enlarged sensory pores on the head which assist in this technique.

This was one of the first Aulonocara spp. to enter the hobby and its popularity has endured. It's known by several other vernacular names including 'Freiberg's peacock', 'fairy cichlid' and 'African butterfly' as well as the erroneous 'scientific' names Trematocranus trevori, T. jacobfreigbergi and T. regina. A naturally-occurring, yellowish form from Undu reef, Tanzania is often referred to as 'lemon jake'. It can be told apart from most other members of the genus by the broad, pale distal margins in the dorsal, anal and caudal fins, more deeply-forked caudal fin and larger adult size.

This species exists in two distinctive phenotypes, with male individuals from West reef and Eccles reef possessing a bright yellow stripe of colour running from the tip of the snout over the anterior portion of the dorsal surface and along the distal margin of the dorsal fin. This form is commonly referred to as 'sulphurhead' or 'sulfurhead' in the aquarium hobby. At Kande Island males exhibit a similar overall colour patterm but the dorsal stripe is whitish in colour and both males and females possess an enlarged lower pharyngeal bone. This population was described...

It remains unclear whether this fish represents an as yet undescribed species or not but in either case the unofficial, vernacular name is confusing due to it being based on that of a described taxon. As a result it is often referred to as A. stuartgranti 'Maleri' or 'Maleri Islands', either through error or because some authors believe it to be conspecific with A. stuartgranti. The population from the Maleri Islands is traded as 'yellow regal peacock' (not to be confused with the 'new yellow regal peacock', i.e., A. baenschi) and the one from Chidunga Rocks as 'sunshine peacock' or 'orange peacock'.

This fish has been known in the aquarium hobby for a number of years but remains undescribed to science despite the confusing trade name which has resulted in it often being referred to incorrectly as 'Aulonocara walteri'. It's known only from Chizumulu Island and Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, both located off the eastern shoreline of the central part of the lake (Mozambique). There is a similar-looking, potentially conspecific, fish which can be found between the coastal settlements of Meponda (Mozambique) and Ntekete (Malawi) further south, and has been referred to A. sp. 'trematocranus masinje'.

Recorded throughout much of the Amazon basin, with its range extending eastwards from the Ucayali system in Peru as far as the Tocantins drainage which flows into the Atlantic alongside the Amazon at its delta. The southern extremity of its range appears to be the Río Mamoré in Bolivia, a tributary of the rio Guaporé, and the northern limit the Essequibo basin, Guyana.

Populations known in the aquarium trade include 'Cuao', 'Orinoco', 'San Antonio', and 'Sipapo Ventuari'. B. wavrini and its congener B. cupido can be separated by body shape and position of the dark blotch on the posterior portion of the flank. In B. cupido the body is relatively compact and the blotch located above the upper lateral line, whereas in B. wavrini the body is noticeably elongate and the blotch on or below the upper lateral line.

At time of writing there exists no scientific evidence that the different populations of this species seen in the aquarium trade (see 'Distribution') represent anything other than a single, widely-distributed species although some exibit minor morphological differences including relative body depth, longer fin rays in the unpaired fins and yellow or orange colouration in the paired fins. There is apparently a form from the upper rio Negro which may turn out to be distinct but it's...

Also known as the green lepturus, this is a stunning species when mature. Unfortunately, it is rarely seen for sale. Its pelagic nature means it is difficult to catch for export. As a result it can be quite expensive when it is available....

Rarely seen in the trade, as it is quite difficult to collect in nature. It retreats at great speed into deeper water at the first sign of threat. As with other members of its genus, it is a hunter, feeding mainly on smaller cichlids.

Members of the genus Callochromis feed in a similar way to the South American "eartheaters" such as Geophagus species. They extract invertebrates and other items hidden in the substrate by taking in mouthfulls of sand and sifting it through the gills. The common term "sand sifters" is applied to these and other Tanganyikan species that inhabit a similar ecological niche, such as Enantiopus and Xenotilapia spp. Several geographical colour forms of this species exist. These ...

This undescribed species is also traded as C. sp. 'ndoboi' or 'ndobnoi', and despite its lack of official recognition it's the most commonly-encountered member of the genus in the aquarium trade at time of writing. It can be easily-distinguished from the congeners C. brichardi and C. popelini by its adult body patterning which comprises two or three series of irregular, dark, laterally-orientated blotches, the upper of which is often contained entirely within the dorsal ...

Also known as the trout cichlid, this species makes a great centrepiece to a well-chosen community of big Rift Lake cichlids. An adult male in top condition makes for a truly jaw dropping sight. It is only occasionally offered for sale, as it is difficult to collect, living a predominantly solitary lifestyle. As a result, it is much sought after by enthusiasts. It is sometimes confused with the other species in the genus, C. spilorhynchus, but can be distinguished by its more elongate shape. ...

This species is only occasionally offered for sale, as it is difficult to collect, living a predominantly solitary lifestyle. As a result, it is much sought after by enthusiasts. It may be confused with the other species in the genus, C. caerulus, but can be distinguished by its deeper body shape and very distinctive black markings on its snout. Champsochromis have widely spaced teeth compared to some other pelagic predatory cichlids found in Lake Malawi, such as Buccochromis species....

Described from Assinie-Mafia in south-eastern Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), western Africa but currently accepted to be extensively distributed in coastal river drainages of central western Africa from the Saint John River, central Liberia to the Cross River drainage, in southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. It also occurs in the Niger and its major tributary the Benue (Bénoué) and has thus been recorded from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

The Red Terror can be troublesome to breed due to pairing problems - if a pair of fish are incompatible and are housed together for any length of time, it is likely that the weaker fish will be killed. The best way of getting a true pair is to grow 6 juveniles up until a noticeably strong pair has formed. Also, its size means finding an aquarium and suitable breeding surfaces can be difficult. As previously mentioned, rocks (siliconed if necessary) and bits of slate used to create man-made caves...

Salvin's Cichlid has a well deserved reputation for aggression, especially when breeding. They are regularly available in the trade and make an extremely colourful addition to any north/central American aggression tank. Take care when choosing tank mates, however. If only this species is kept in the tank, it will be quite shy until mature or until the natural domination order has been established. If a single fish of this species is kept alone, it will be extremely shy, usually choosing ...

Cichlasoma Trimaculatus is a large colourful cichlid, if a little aggressive. It is believed to be one of the fish that was used to create the hybrid Flowerhorn cichlid. We prefer it in its natural state. As with most large cichlids they can be fairly messy eaters so ensure decent filtration is provided. It is recommended to use a spraybar to disperse the water returning to the tank as trimacs will not appreciate strong flow....

A hardy and robust fish that can tolerate and breed in full marine conditions. The Mayan cichlid is also referred to as the Mexican Mojarra and is occasionally offered for sale in the UK, or can be obtained through specialist cichlid dealers. This species is regarded as a potential pest fish in the USA due to its tolerance of a wide range of conditions and the threat it could pose to native fauna....

This species was present in the hobby for some time prior to being officially described and the spectacular red fish first exported by Pierre Brichard in the 1960s appears to be a regional form of it. It was also known variously as Nanochromis sp. 'Bamanja', N. sp. 'Genema', N. sp. 'Makoua' and N. sp. Bloody Mary' prior to description, and continues to be mislabelled as N. squamiceps on trade lists. Diagnosis of C. sabinae is possible via a combination of c...

Together with the recently erected genus Mchenga, Copadichromis species form an exclusive group of Malawian cichlids commonly referred to as "Utaka" (prounounced "ooh-taw-kuh"). They're specialised to a pelagic lifestyle, and can be found living in huge numbers throughout much of Lake Malawi. Some tend to remain in the proximity of underwater reefs or rocky shorelines, while others occur mainly in more featureless, sandy habitats. Here they face the oncoming current, us...

Together with the recently erected genus Mchenga, Copadichromis species form an exclusive group of Malawian cichlids commonly referred to as "Utaka" (prounounced "ooh-taw-kuh"). They're specialised to a pelagic lifestyle, and can be found living in huge numbers throughout much of Lake Malawi. Some tend to remain in the proximity of underwater reefs or rocky shorelines, while others occur mainly in more featureless, sandy habitats. Here they face the oncoming current, usi...

Together with the recently erected genus Mchenga, Copadichromis species form an exclusive group of Malawian cichlids commonly referred to as "Utaka" (prounounced "ooh-taw-kuh"). They're specialised to a pelagic lifestyle, and can be found living in huge numbers throughout much of Lake Malawi. Some tend to remain in the proximity of underwater reefs or rocky shorelines, while others occur mainly in more featureless, sandy habitats. Here they face the oncoming current, usi...

Together with the recently erected genus Mchenga, Copadichromis species form an exclusive group of Malawian cichlids commonly referred to as "Utaka" (prounounced "ooh-taw-kuh"). They're specialised to a pelagic lifestyle, and can be found living in huge numbers throughout much of Lake Malawi. Some tend to remain in the proximity of underwater reefs or rocky shorelines, while others occur mainly in more featureless, sandy habitats. Here they face the oncoming current, usi...

Together with the recently erected genus Mchenga, Copadichromis species form an exclusive group of Malawian cichlids commonly referred to as "Utaka" (prounounced "ooh-taw-kuh"). They're specialised to a pelagic lifestyle, and can be found living in huge numbers throughout much of Lake Malawi. Some tend to remain in the proximity of underwater reefs or rocky shorelines, while others occur mainly in more featureless, sandy habitats. Here they face the oncoming current, usi...

Rarely seen in the hobby in the UK, but makes an interesting addition to a South American setup.

Crenicichla albopunctata

Crenicichla compressiceps are an excellent little fish. They are small, but they swim a great deal (and can be incredibly quick) so require larger aquaria than other, similar sized fish. In the wild, Compressiceps are insect feeders. They will wait quietly then quickly sweep down and prey on any nearby insects. They have good vision in the night and will often feed in the dark. Be careful when choosing tankmates, though as previously mentioned it may be mandatory to include some fish to e...

As stated, this fish is found across most of the Amazon basin. As a result, a number of different colour forms have developed. This pike is fairly common in the hobby due to its broad geographic range.

Crenicichla proteus is occasionally offered for sale. It is one of the smaller pike cichlids, although more than makes up for that in terms of aggression!

One of the more commonly available pike cichlids in the UK, c. strigata is often bought by fishkeepers unaware of the adult size of these fish. Are reported to be susceptible to hole in the head disease, more commonly seen in discus and oscars....

A strikingly marked species that is rarely seen in the hobby in the UK.

In its natural waters, females have been observed caring for mixed broods containing both their own fry and those of another cichlid, Amphilophus bussingi. It is unknown if these are mixed by accident (as the two species have also been recorded tending broods in close proximity to one another) or if this represents an adaptive behaviour to increase numbers in a brood and therefore decrease the chance of predation.

Inhabits moderate to fast-flowing, well-oxygenated, lowland streams and rivers with pH measured to range between 5.4 and 8.0 and temperature 22-31°C/71.6-87.8°F, while conductivity at one habitat was 600 µS. Substrates may be composed of open mud or sand, or strewn with variably-sized boulders depending on locality, while aquatic plants have not been observed. It occurs sympatrically with the convict cichlid, Amatitlania nigrofasciata with oth...

C. afra is easily confused with some species of Pseudotropheus, but can be distinguished by its smaller adult size and unicuspid (as opposed to bicuspid) teeth. Also in this species the black bars on the flanks continue into the dorsal fin, unlike in Pseudotropheus zebra, for example. It exists in many different colour forms in nature. These forms should not be mixed in aquaria as they may spawn with each other, producing unwanted hybrid fry. Despite this ability to interbreed, it's probabl...

One of the favourite Tanganyikan cichlids among hobbyists, this species occurs in several geographical morphs. Each of these further exists in both blue and yellow-tailed forms. They congregate in large shoals of several thousand in nature, preying on zooplankton. In the hobby you may also see C. leptosoma sp. "Jumbo" for sale. These fish grow to the size quoted above, whilst the "true" leptosoma only reaches around 4" in length. Although it's likely we are deal...

Quite a rarity in the hobby, but when available it is much sought after by enthusiasts. It can be found living in huge mixed species groups with other Cyprichromis species and the similar Paracyprichromis. There are a few geographical variants known, each of which has both a yellow and blue tailed form. Individual populations can also contain males with different colour and patterning, a phenomenon known as polychromatism. The different forms should never be mixed in the aquarium, as they will i...

A gentle giant ideal for the larger community of Malawi cichlids, this species was formerly named Haplochromis moorii. It is occasionally referred to by the common name, "Humphead Mouthbrooder". In nature, it exhibits an interesting feeding behaviour in which it will be attracted to clouds of sand thrown up by the activity of substrate-sifting species such as Fossorochromis rostratus or Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis. Shoals of C. moorii will follow these species and feast on any mo...

A. calobrensis is not as common in the hobby as some other species in the genus (most notably A. citrinellus). It was considered a member of the genus Cichlasoma for some time, before being restored to its original position in Amphilophus. However it exhibits several characteristics that seem to set it apart from its congeners. As a result many experts believe it will probably be moved into a newly-erected genus at some point in the future. You may also see it listed as a member of Astatheros oc...

Dicrossus Maculatus are not commonly available in the trade. Sometimes they are mistaken for the more common and popular Dicrossus Filamentosa. The Spadetailed Checkerboards are an absolutely fascinating species to keep. They are a challenge to breed, requiring such acidic and soft water, but when it does happen it is a very rewarding experience. Reports maintain that the pH and temperature of the water when conceived, eggs laid, eggs hatched and in the first month of the fry's life c...

D. compressiceps is an ambush predator in nature, its laterally compressed shape and head-down hunting position allowing it to remain hidden among Vallisneria beds and making it tricky to spot in open water. It has a dark stripe running from the snout along the back to the tail which serves to provide further camouflage. Despite its common name, it does not prey solely on the eyes of other species, preferring to hunt small fish (particularly juvenile Copadichromis sp.). It swallows these tai...

A rare species in the hobby, there is also another, as yet undescribed fish sometimes imported as E. descampsii but this is thought to be a distinct species. This one is currently known as Ectodus sp. "north", as it's found further up the lake than E. decampsii. It can be distinguished by its smaller adult size and the fact that the black spot on the dorsal is found towards the front whereas in E. descampsii it's found in the middle of the fin. Confusingly, E. sp. "north...

Also known as the Tanganyikan Clown, this is one of the so-called Tanganyikan goby cichlids. They occur only in the upper few feet of water around rocky shores, also known as the surge zone, where they scrape algae from the rocks with their specialised teeth. This habitat is typified by breaking waves and strong currents. They have a few adaptations allowing them to inhabit such an environment. The swim bladder is rendered useless to reduce their buoyancy. They also have a longand a laterally co...

Etroplus is the only cichlid genus native to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka and currently comprises three species among which E. canarensis is uniquely limited to freshwater and restricted in range. Its congeners E. maculatus and E. suratensis are both euryhaline inhabiting estuaries, coastal lagoons and the lower reaches of rivers around coastlines of western and southern India plus northern Sri Lanka.

Wild examples are rarely-seen in the aquarium hobby although selectively-bred ornamental strains are widely-available for which care is identical. These are normally traded as 'red' or 'yellow' chromide and have a solid yellow-orange colour pattern with no dark elements. It exhibits a widespread sympatry with the con...

F. rostratus was formerly classified as Haplochromis rostratus. When startled, it may bury itself in the substrate. It often displays its natural sand-sifting method of feeding in aquaria, and a substrate of sand is essential as gravel may injure the fish. In nature, it is only the largest dominant males that build nests, whilst the subdominant males and females shoal together. There also exists a feeding relationship between this species and Cyrtocara moorii in the wild, in which shoals of C. m...