Cichlids have adapted to live, survive and breed in different parts of the world, in a vast array of habitats, with specialised feeding techniques and a myriad of breeding and parenting styles.
Broadly speaking cichlids are grouped according to their location, and the broken down into subgroups based on physiological features, habitat and behavioural traits. Cichlids are found in Africa, Central America, South America and Asia.
African cichlids can be further divided into the following main groups prior to examining the other traits;
Tanganyika Cichlids
Malawi Cichlids
Victoria Cichlids
Madagascan Cichlids
Other African Cichlids
Central American cichlids can be further divided into the following main groups;
Archocentrus Group
Thorichthys Group
Rheophilic Group
Detritus Feeders
Herbivores
Guapotes
South American cichlids can be further divided into the following main groups prior to examining the other traits;
Large Cichlids
Dwarf Cichlids
Angelfishes
Discus
Crenicichla Group
There is only one true Asian cichlid and all belong to the one genus, Etroplus, commonly known as Chromides. There are three species located in coastal regions of Sri Lanka and Southern India. The three species include E. maculatus (Orange Chromide), E. suratensis (Green Chromide) and E. canarensis which was presumed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1990s.
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