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cichlids as Lake Malawi has. There are about 700 species, or kinds, of cichlids in tThere are different kinds of cichlid in other African lakes, particularly Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria.
Cichlids of Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria are a good example of species flock. Species flock is when a group of closely related different species live in a confined area such as a lake. Lake Malawi (or Lake Nyasa as some people call it) has been isolated from other bodies of water for about 2 million years. There are different kinds of cichlid in other African lakes, particularly Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria.
Cichlids are generally mouth brooders. This means that the females keep their fertilised eggs in their mouths until the eggs hatch, for better protection in the crowded lake. Some kinds even keep the tiny hatchlings in their mouth for a few weeks, letting them out for a swim in safe spots, then taking them into their mouth again before they get into danger.
Because there are so many different kinds of cichlid in each lake, they feed in different ways so that there is enough food to go round. They have different diets, mouths and teeth. Some feed on algae, and have developed mouths and teeth that allow them to graze on algae growing on smooth rock surfaces. They are able to lie flat on the rocks and scrape the rock while watching out for danger. Some feed on plants or other fish. Some sift the sand to find food, others crush snails.
Cichlids are a popular aquarium fish all over the world, and can be bought in shops that sell fish for pets.
Click here for more information about cichlids
http://www.africancichlids.net/
Click here for photos of some African cichlids.
http://www.bigskycichlids.com/frames_gallery.htm
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this source in your bibliography like this:
Cichlids (2004).
[Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
Updated July 2006