Related FAQs: Neotropical Cichlids, Neotropical Cichlids 2, Neotropical Cichlids 3, Cichlid Fishes in General, Cichlid Systems, Cichlid Identification, Cichlid Behavior, Cichlid Compatibility, Cichlid Selection, Cichlid Feeding, Cichlid Disease,  Cichlid Reproduction,

Related Articles: Central American Cichlids by Neale Monks, Angelfish, Discus, Juraparoids/Eartheaters, Convicts, Oscars, Firemouths, Pike Cichlids, Crenicichla spp, Texas Cichlids, Flowerhorns, Dwarf South American Cichlids, Cichlids of the World, 

/A Diversity of Aquatic Life

Neotropical Cichlid Fishes 

By Bob Fenner

Kirin (not the beer) Hi! How is everyone this evening? Good I hope. <Very well!> I was just browsing the web for info on my new baby Texas Cichlids, and I came across a website dedicated to that new hybrid you have a pic of in the section on neo tropical cichlids. According to the info on the site, it's a Kirin. And yes, it is a hybrid. It's a Cyanoguttatum or Carpinte and Trimaculatus cross. It's supposed to bring prosperity with it's bump head, good fortune with it's jeweled speckles symbolizing wealth, and scare away evil spirits with its red eyes. The website address is www.kirin.com.sg/species.html Just what the world needs, another cichlid hybrid from the far east. At least it's not as hideously ugly as the parrot fish. SMILE). I have a parrotfish myself, and I love his funny looking little face. Goodnight, Kristen:) <Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are some truly striking looking fish on that webpage, though. -Steven Pro>

Excerpted from: Forgotten Fish; Old-timers with plenty to offer by Neale Monks   

Forgotten cichlids 

Of course as a group the cichlids are far from forgotten, with many species being among the most popular fish in the hobby. From the elegant angels of the Amazon to the feisty Rift Valley species from Africa, the cichlids have firmly established themselves as the most intelligent and engaging of all the fish kept by hobbyists. Nonetheless, there are a surprising number of species that have somehow fallen out of favor. One of the loveliest is the keyhole cichlid, Cleithracara maronii, a gentle species perfectly suited to life in a community tank. The main problem with this fish is its lack of color: basically yellowy-brown with black markings on the head and flanks, compared with the brilliant blues and yellows of the average African cichlid, the poor old keyhole does rather lose out. But on the flip side, this is a small species (around 3" or so) that barely digs and never harasses tankmates. Gentle almost to the point of shyness, this is a splendid choice for the aquarist who wants to observe cichlid behavior without disrupting the serenity of a South American-themed community of tetras and Corydoras catfish. While it prefers soft and acid water for breeding purposes, the keyhole is very adaptable and will do well in even fairly hard and basic water conditions. 

Another South American cichlid that has lost some of its popularity over the years is Laetacara curviceps, the flag acara. A smaller fish than even the keyhole cichlid, the flag acara is an excellent community tank resident. A master of color changes even by cichlid standards, a flag acara can switch from tan to green to blue in seconds. Superimposed on its basic coloration is black band running along the midline of the fish, though this can fade away to practically nothing depending on the mood of the fish. All in all, these are interesting fish to watch. They are also surprisingly adaptable and easy to tame for such small fish, and once settled in can be fed by hand. Perhaps overshadowed by the more brightly colored Apistogramma species from South America and the showy dwarf cichlids like the krib from West Africa, like so many of the old-timers of the aquarium hobby, it is a fish well worth rediscovering.