Information on the Natural Habitat of Cichlids

Cichlids are colorful freshwater fish often kept as aquarium pets. There are more than 1,500 species of cichlids, including oscars and angelfish. Most species are native to Africa and South and Central America. A few species come from the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka. Their natural habitat is in lakes, rivers and lagoons. Only a few types of cichlids can survive in salt or brackish water.

  1. Rift Lake Cichlids

    • Many species of cichlids dwell on the rocky coasts of East Africa's Rift Lakes, which include Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi, as well as Lake Victoria and its surrounding rivers. These cichlids live in a mix of rocky areas and sand. One type, the gold ocellatus, lives in shells in Lake Tanganyika.

    West Africa

    • West Africa is the native habitat of several other cichlid species, including the Finley's cichlid, which has iridescent blue cheeks. The African butterfly cichlid is native to the clear rivers that run through wooded and bushy areas of West Africa. In an aquarium setting, these cichlids like to hide among rocks and driftwood that are similar to to that in their native habitats.

    South America

    • South American rivers, including the Amazon and Rio Negro, are also home to cichlid species. Agassiz's dwarf cichlids thrive in the backwaters of the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. The angelfish, native to both the Rio Negro and Amazon, can be found in Guyana, Peru and Brazil's slow-moving rivers and grassy lakes. The oscar, another popular, although large and aggressive species, lives in slow-moving, heavily vegetated rivers from Brazil to Paraguay.

    Central America

    • Central American cichlids can be found from Texas to Panama, including Mexico. Most are medium to large fish that inhabit most types of waterways, including lakes, streams, river and even underground water sources. The Central American cichlids are known for their stunning color, especially the red-bellied firemouth, native to Mexico and Guatemala.

    Asia

    • Only a few species of cichlids are native to the fresh waters of Asia. Three species, Etroplus canarensis, Etroplus suratensis and Etroplus maculatus, have been identified in India and Sri Lanka. They are native to river systems in the South Canara area of India. A few also are native to the Jordan River in the Middle East.