I have noticed over the years of being in this hobby that when the name cichlid is mentioned, people have all kinds of misconceptions and beliefs about them. Suprisingly, I have been seeing them here too. I'll adress some of the one's I hear alot and have seen here but I would like others to add in thier imput too. Mabye we can clear up a few myths about cichlids...
First, what make a cichlid a cichlid? It's not agression or attitude like so many think. Cichlids have a single pair of nostrils and a broken lateral line. Not very exciting but that is what clasifies a fish as a cichlid.
Cichlids are mean, kills evey thing. Can't keep cichlids with other fish. Wrong - Cichlids range from tiny wimpy fish to huge bruisers. Fresh water angel fish and discus are cichlids, so are many other common every day comunity fish but people don't know it.
People seem to think Oscars are some brutal bad ass killer. Allways hearing about how mean oscars are. Agressiveness is a term of relativity. Sure an oscar may kill you mollies and goldfish but thier not that mean. I like oscars but thay are way over rated.
Cichlid food; There is no such thing as a food that is correct for all cichlids. Thier dietary needs are radically veried. Some are hard core meat eaters, some are vegetarians, many fit somewhere in the middle. THis is at fault mostly of the fish food makers but hobbiest should know better. Suprisingly many don't.
African cichlids; man, this is a big subject full of misconceptions in it self. Even within the same lake these fish have a broad range of personalities, sizes and dietary needs. People still keep them all together, feed them feeders and meaty food because "mean fish are meat eaters" and "they like that kind of food". Fact is many of the malawi and tanginician fish that are commonly kept are vegitarians
Cichlids don't care about ph; Just because a cichlid (or any fish for that matter) is alive does not mean it is in it's correct enviroment and is happy. I realise that many fish will adjust to values other than where they came from but in most cases they will do better in an enviroment similar to what would have been natural to them. I guess the reason I brought this up is because I saw where someone had stated that thier cichlids were in a ph of 8.0 and were doing good so there for that must be the right ph for them. Didn't sound like any research was done to come to this conclusion other than they lived so it must be right. Very bad practice....bad advise to be offering to people.
I'm sure that's there's tons more, lets hear some other views and myths that need addressed.
First, what make a cichlid a cichlid? It's not agression or attitude like so many think. Cichlids have a single pair of nostrils and a broken lateral line. Not very exciting but that is what clasifies a fish as a cichlid.
Cichlids are mean, kills evey thing. Can't keep cichlids with other fish. Wrong - Cichlids range from tiny wimpy fish to huge bruisers. Fresh water angel fish and discus are cichlids, so are many other common every day comunity fish but people don't know it.
People seem to think Oscars are some brutal bad ass killer. Allways hearing about how mean oscars are. Agressiveness is a term of relativity. Sure an oscar may kill you mollies and goldfish but thier not that mean. I like oscars but thay are way over rated.
Cichlid food; There is no such thing as a food that is correct for all cichlids. Thier dietary needs are radically veried. Some are hard core meat eaters, some are vegetarians, many fit somewhere in the middle. THis is at fault mostly of the fish food makers but hobbiest should know better. Suprisingly many don't.
African cichlids; man, this is a big subject full of misconceptions in it self. Even within the same lake these fish have a broad range of personalities, sizes and dietary needs. People still keep them all together, feed them feeders and meaty food because "mean fish are meat eaters" and "they like that kind of food". Fact is many of the malawi and tanginician fish that are commonly kept are vegitarians
Cichlids don't care about ph; Just because a cichlid (or any fish for that matter) is alive does not mean it is in it's correct enviroment and is happy. I realise that many fish will adjust to values other than where they came from but in most cases they will do better in an enviroment similar to what would have been natural to them. I guess the reason I brought this up is because I saw where someone had stated that thier cichlids were in a ph of 8.0 and were doing good so there for that must be the right ph for them. Didn't sound like any research was done to come to this conclusion other than they lived so it must be right. Very bad practice....bad advise to be offering to people.
I'm sure that's there's tons more, lets hear some other views and myths that need addressed.
)
, you'll be the next ken jennings with this new info 
