The Natural Environment of Cichlids.

Loose Rocks, Rocky Shorelines.

A rocky shoreline is the underwater zone of steep, rocky banks, such as found primarily on lakes Tanganyika and Malawi. Such a shoreline is characterized by a big rocks piled on top of each other. . The way the rocks have come to rest creates innumerable caves of various size, into which the cichlids can retreat when they sense danger. This type of littoral zone is the typical habitat of algae eating mouth brooder such as cichlids of genus Tropheus

Sandy Bottom and Muddy Bottom.

Muddy bottoms usually occur at inlets where rivers enters a lake and where floating particles carried by the moving water settle. Here , too, cichlids , such as Triglachromis otostigma, are found.

Shore With and Without Vegetation.

     Shores with dense vegetation and small, shallow bodies of water filled with plant growth also are environment that cichlids have adapted to. Several Pelvicachromis species, for instance, use such regions as a regular habitat and as an area of retreat.

Photo Credits: www.thetropicaltank.co.uk

Most cichlids are characterized by beautiful colors and markings. Even within the same species different shades and patterns can develop a phenomenon that is called polymorphism.
There is such a variety of shapes and sizes among the many cichlids species that even experience fanciers of aquarium fishes often are surprised. Thus, the “giant” within the family measure from 28 to 32 inches (70-80cm), whereas the smallest members are fully grown at as little as 1.4 inches ( 3.5cm).

The body shapes of various species also vary tremendously. Most cichlids have typical slender fish shape, but in different species this shape can be vary from “normal” to “pencil shaped” a few species are high backed, that is, they have steeply arched backs; and some, like the popular discus fishes, are almost completely round and flat.