Cyclosomes

In the aquarium trade, the name Cichlasoma refers to cichlids that live in river systems from South to Central America, with a strong body with bright colors and a rather warlike disposition.

In some species, aggression is manifested only during the breeding season, when the fish attack random neighbors in the aquarium in an effort to protect the masonry and future offspring.

Others are always aggressive, especially males. Such Cichlazomes exhibit territorial behavior and are hostile to any trespassers, be they relatives or other species.

Others, on the contrary, are relatively peaceful even during the spawning period and are an excellent addition to the community of the same calm species.

Why do one group of fish have such dissimilar characters?

The fact is that initially the genus Cichlasoma was a collective, which included all the cichlids discovered, which had an approximately similar appearance. From the middle of the 19th century until the 1990s, the number of species reached almost 200.

Since the 2000s, a revision of the scientific classification began, and soon more than a dozen new genera were isolated from the genus Cichlasoma. According to FishBase, only 16 species are recognized as true cichlids.

Despite the emergence of new scientific names in trade names, the word Tsikhlazoma has firmly entrenched.

Each genus with independent species has its own set of distinctive features, including behavioral ones. This explains the differences in the nature of the fish, called Cichlomas.

Content in aquariums

They are considered relatively easy to keep and will not cause trouble for an experienced aquarist. Fish need a spacious aquarium, clean, warm water with low pH and GH, and a balanced diet rich in quality protein.

Behind this brief description of the content requirements, there are many nuances that may be overlooked by beginners. Many problems can be caused by an imprudent choice of neighboring fish. Therefore, novice aquarists should refrain from acquiring Tsikhlaz.