Natural habitats of cichlids

Stanzzzz7

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What a great video that is.
Never seen this one before thanks for posting,really enjoyed this one.
 

mrrobxc

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mrrobxc

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You could duplicate that mrrobxc mrrobxc .
I just set up my 225 to have Cichla. Crenicichla. And rays with some severums. It's about as close as I can get. The video is in the Cichla section.
 
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jamntoast

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Jul 8, 2014
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The density of fish under that tree is quite staggering.
Late response to this comment but, ya isn't it crazy. If you had those fish in a tank they would all be pushing each other away but in the wild this doesn't bother them at all. it must be a safety thing in that changes their behavior in the wild versus in a tank where there are no larger predators. Super interesting.
 
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dan518

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Late response to this comment but, ya isn't it crazy. If you had those fish in a tank they would all be pushing each other away but in the wild this doesn't bother them at all. it must be a safety thing in that changes their behavior in the wild versus in a tank where there are no larger predators. Super interesting.
Rd posted a linc to Barlows paper on amphilophus citrinellus recently, reading his description made them sound almost like a thorichthys sp living in large groups with the odd bit of flaring here and there but no real aggression. What works in nature doesn't work in the confines of a tiny glass box.
 

LostInCentralAmerica

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Jul 25, 2017
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I came across this study which gives an idea behind an evolutionary adaptation which seems to suggest the wild habitat of Central American cichlids is one of clear water, at least compared to their South American counterparts. Well that is the conclusion I came to after reading this summary of the study. I can't post the link so will just post the summary of the study. Interesting stuff for keepers trying to work out the best water conditions for their fish.

Accelerated evolution and functional divergence of the dim light visual pigment accompanies cichlid colonization of Central America

Cichlids encompass one of the most diverse groups of fishes in South and Central America, and show extensive variation in life history, morphology, and colouration. While studies of visual system evolution in cichlids have focussed largely on the African rift lake species flocks, Neotropical cichlids offer a unique opportunity to investigate visual system evolution at broader temporal and geographic scales.

South American cichlid colonization of Central America has likely promoted accelerated rates of morphological evolution in Central American lineages as they encountered reduced competition, renewed ecological opportunity, and novel aquatic habitats.

To investigate whether such transitions have influenced molecular evolution of vision in Central American cichlids, we sequenced the dim-light rhodopsin gene in 101 Neotropical cichlid species, spanning the diversity of the clade. We find strong evidence for increased rates of evolution in Central American cichlid rhodopsin relative to South American lineages, and identify several sites under positive selection in rhodopsin that likely contribute to adaptation to different photic environments.

We expressed a Neotropical cichlid rhodopsin protein in vitro for the first time, and found that while its spectral tuning properties were characteristic of typical vertebrate rhodopsin pigments, the rate of decay of its active signalling form was much slower, consistent with dim light adaptation in other vertebrate rhodopsin pigments. Using site-directed mutagenesis combined with spectroscopic assays, we found that a key amino acid substitution present in some Central American cichlids accelerates the rate of decay of active rhodopsin, which may mediate adaptation to clear water habitats.
 

donk232

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I wanted to start with this thread is amazing! Ive skimmed through the whole thing and was wondering if anyone has found the rivulatus green terror yet?
Thanks!
-going to look at more videos :)
 
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