The Amazing Diversity of Cichlid Fishes

Abstract

Imagine swimming through warm, clear-blue water where, all around you, you see brightly colored fishes of all shapes and sizes. Does this sound like a tropical coral reef? Maybe so, but it could also be a tropical freshwater lake, with hundreds of different types of cichlid fishes. Cichlids live only in freshwater and are found in lots of different lakes and rivers across the world. Their bright colors and interesting behaviors mean that they are popular to keep as pets in fish tanks, but they also are incredibly interesting to scientists and are a valuable food source. Scientists study cichlids because they want to understand how different types of cichlids have evolved to suit their different environments. Cichlids are important for food in many countries, both through fishing of wild populations and fish farming (aquaculture), in specially built ponds or tanks.