Cichlid Bite-forces

[cichlid_8810]

Hi,

Is anyone aware of any studies that have been done related to Cichlid bite-forces? What I want to know is which species have more powerful bite forces in the American family?

Thanks

 

[Pyramid_Party]

If I had to guess I'd choose any of the larger cichlids that get 16+ inches to have the biggest/hardest bites.

 

[flowerpower]

Neets, cons and dovii are three that come to mind but who knows?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Probably alot of the more compact/thick cichlids have good bites too.

 

[GTbEaSt]

Cichlids with powerful jaw structures would be best.

 

[Gruff Master]

I remember reading an article about Hoplarchus Psittacus that said that they have a very strong bite force. How true this is, I don't know. I have never had any. I would think that the strongest bite force would be found from Guapote or Amphilophus species. No science to back this up, just speculation.

 

[BigO6687]

id say amphilophus + maybe gt's due to their thick body and jaw structures, i see guapotes as built more for suction

 

[jag123]

id say amphilophus + maybe gt's due to their thick body and jaw structures, i see guapotes as built more for suction

Right on - Snooks and managuense built more for suction. I would also agree with you that the Amphilophus would have a greater strength for all out smashing of prey items.

In the same token, most would know that cichlids, as one of their main identifying traits is that they "chew" food not with their mouths, but more inside their throats with specialized - grinding up food items. So this may be difficult to tell....

 

[Didgeridoo]

Although not an American cichlid, Boulengerochromis microlepis (Emperor Cichlid) would probably be my guess not so much for bite-force but for most fearsome bite. They're an open-water pursuit predator with a mean set of pseudo-canines and a maximum size of 26-inches!

Out of the American cichlids a dovii or umbee perhaps? I wouldn't want to get bit by either one at adult size.

 

[superleggera123]

Umbie or dovii