Beautiful Freshwater Fish At The Ocean Floor

Discus Fish are beautiful Freshwater fish available at the Ocean Floor in a variety of colors and sizes.

Cichlids comprise the largest family of freshwater fish and their diverse representation at The Ocean Floor is no exception. A little more than half of our selling tanks and most of our display aquariums are allocated to cichlids. Dive into the wide world of cichlid keeping with us!

About Cichlids
Cichlids are fish from the Cichlidae family, comprising between 2,000 and 3,000 species of fish. They come in a broad variety of colors and shapes, and their sizes can range from about an inch to nearly three feet long! Cichlids are also close relatives of certain saltwater or marine fish such as Damselfish, Wrasses, and Groupers because they share certain distinguishing characteristics.

Where Cichlids are Found
Cichlid varieties can be found in North America, South America, Africa, and Asia, as well as a few islands. Madagascar is an excellent example, containing multiple unique indigenous species including a few cichlids that are exclusive to the island.

North America is home to several Coldwater Cichlid Species including the Texas Cichlid, Bass, Sunfish, Perch, and Bluegill. Most North American Species are unsuitable to be kept in an Aquarium and/or are illegal to keep in the United States.

Cichlids for Sale
The Cichlids you will find at The Ocean Floor are Tropical or warmer in temperature. In relation to Aquarium Suitable Species, Cichlids are primarily classified into the following groups:

African
Central/South American
Dwarf
Angelfish
Discus
South American hybrid
Strawberry Peacock Cichlid

Cichlids Temperament
Though some cichlids are able to be kept in a Semi-Aggressive Community Aquarium, most of the time cichlids are very aggressive and a specific cichlid aquarium must be kept to avoid tankmates becoming lunch for the new fish. If you are wishing to build a community tank that includes cichlids, you will need to carefully select your cichlid breeds and tankmates. Also bear in mind that temperaments may vary between cichlids of the same species; just like people, fish have their own unique personalities!

Your cichlids will need to be housed in an appropriately sized tank. It is always better to err on the side of too large of a tank than too small. Tank overcrowding can result in aggression.

A final key to success is to provide plenty of hiding spaces and decorations. This will help break up sightlines and give tankmates a place to hide if your cichlid is ever feeling grumpy.

Environment for Cichlids
Since cichlids originate from wide and varied climate areas, it is important to learn and follow the specific environmental needs of the cichlid(s) you are considering. Avoid mixing cichlids of differing requirements.

Breeding of Cichlids
Most Cichlids breed pretty readily and are easy to care for their fry (baby fish). Cichlids are egg-layers, but there are quite different breeding habits between cichlids. If you are intending to breed your cichlids, we highly recommend speaking to one of the specialists at The Ocean Floor to learn the specific needs of the species.
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