cichlids
Colorful freshwater fish
Cichlids are a large family of freshwater fish found mainly in Africa and the Americas, popular in aquariums for their vivid colors and complex behaviors.
Many species display elaborate parental care, with some brooding eggs in their mouths.
The family includes tilapia, oscars, and angelfish.
Aquarists prize cichlids but note their territorial aggression: You can't just throw cichlids in with other fish.
Elongated lowland from faulting
- Lake VictoriaEast African inland sea
- endemismGeographic species restriction
- bloatSwell abnormally
Formation of distinct species
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- phylogeneticOf evolutionary relationships
- genetic diversityAllelic variation within populations
- morphologicalConcerning form or shape
endemic · hybridization · pharyngeal jaws · sexual selection · assortative mating
Large storage vessel
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- aquascapingDesigning underwater tank environments
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- water qualityCondition of H2O supply
pH balance · nitrogen cycle · heater · water change · feeding · pellets · flakes · hardscape
Secondary teeth in gullet
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- finsSwimming appendages
- dorsal spinesSharp projections on back
- swim bladderFish buoyancy organ
gills · operculum · pelvic fins · pectoral fins · anal fin · lips · teeth · body shape
Defense of claimed space
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- pair bondingEnduring mate attachment
- lip-lockingSlang for kissing
flaring · chasing · digging · nest building · parental care · hierarchy · dominance · display
Full of life, intensity
- iridescentShowing shifting spectral colors
- huesGradations of color
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
vertical bars · horizontal stripes · blotched · metallic · blue · yellow · red · orange
Academy's golden award
- Jack DempseyTwenties heavyweight champion
- AmazonGreek warrior women
- Central AmericanFrom the isthmus region
- NeotropicalNew World tropics region
Rift Valley
Elongated lowland from faulting
- Lake VictoriaEast African inland sea
- endemismGeographic species restriction
- bloatSwell abnormally
speciation
Formation of distinct species
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- phylogeneticOf evolutionary relationships
- genetic diversityAllelic variation within populations
morphological · endemic · hybridization · pharyngeal jaws · sexual selection · assortative mating
tank
Large storage vessel
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- aquascapingDesigning underwater tank environments
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
water quality · pH balance · nitrogen cycle · heater · water change · feeding · pellets · flakes · hardscape · rockwork
pharyngeal jaws
Secondary teeth in gullet
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- finsSwimming appendages
- dorsal spinesSharp projections on back
swim bladder · gills · operculum · pelvic fins · pectoral fins · anal fin · lips · teeth · body shape · compressed
territoriality
Defense of claimed space
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- pair bondingEnduring mate attachment
lip-locking · flaring · chasing · digging · nest building · parental care · hierarchy · dominance · display · color change
vibrant
Full of life, intensity
- iridescentShowing shifting spectral colors
- huesGradations of color
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
brilliant · vertical bars · horizontal stripes · blotched · metallic · blue · yellow · red · orange · pattern
Oscar
Academy's golden award
- Jack DempseyTwenties heavyweight champion
- AmazonGreek warrior women
- Central AmericanFrom the isthmus region
cichlidssaltwater fish
Ocean-dwelling aquatic vertebrate
marine fish · clownfish · tangs · damselfish · seahorses