Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Traditionally Cichlids were classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses (Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted this grouping. On the basis of fossil evidence, it first appeared in Tanzania during the Eocene epoch, about 46–45 million years ago. The closest living relative of cichlids is probably the convict blenny, and both families are classified in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World as the two families in the Cichliformes, part of the subseries Ovalentaria. This family is large, diverse, and widely dispersed. At least 1,650 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families. New species are discovered annually, and many species remain undescribed. The actual number of species is therefore unknown, with estimates varying between 2,000 and 3,000.
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. With a surface area of approximately 59,947 km2 (23,146 sq mi), Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake by area, the world's largest tropical lake, and the world's second-largest fresh water lake by surface area after Lake Superior in North America. In terms of volume, Lake Victoria is the world's ninth-largest continental lake, containing about 2,424 km3 (1.965×109 acre⋅ft) of water. Lake Victoria occupies a shallow depression in Africa. The lake has an average depth of 40 m (130 ft) and a maximum depth of 80–81 m (262–266 ft). Its catchment area covers 169,858 km2 (65,583 sq mi). The lake has a shoreline of 7,142 km (4,438 mi) when digitized at the 1:25,000 level, with islands constituting 3.7% of this length.
Astatotilapia is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae found in Eastern and Northern Africa, with a single species, A. flaviijosephi, in Western Asia. Many species have been moved between this genus and Haplochromis, and while some consensus has been reached in recent years, their mutual delimitation is still far from settled. Based on mtDNA, Astatotilapia as currently defined is polyphyletic.
Haplochromis is a ray-finned fish genus in the family Cichlidae. It has been used as the default "wastebin taxon" for Pseudocrenilabrinae cichlids of the East African Rift, and as such became the "largest" fish "genus". Many of these cichlids are popular aquarium fishes; like similar Haplochromini they are known as "haplos", "happies" or "haps" among aquarium enthusiasts.
Haplochromis retrodens is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Victoria in East Africa. The species is a representative of the genus Haplochromis,
Haplochromis welcommei is a threatened species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria in Africa. This species reaches a length of 10.5 centimetres (4.1 in) SL. Although further surveys are needed to confirm its status, it is considered possibly extinct by the IUCN on the basis that there have been no definite records since 1985.
Haplochromis sp. nov. "Blue Rockpicker" is a species of cichlid endemic to the Tanzanian part of Lake Victoria. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes. This species grows to a length of 10.7 centimetres (4.2 in) SL.
Haplochromis perrieri is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria though it may now be extinct in the wild. These fish are part of the Lake Victoria Species Survival Program, and captive populations exist within the public aquarium community. This species can reach a length of 6 centimetres (2.4 in) SL. This species' specific name honours the French zoologist Edmond Perrier (1844-1921) who was the director of Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle from 1900–1919.
Haplochromis piceatus is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Victoria in East Africa. Although listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, surveys since 2005 have failed to find it in its home lake and it is possibly extinct in the wild. Captive "safety populations" are maintained at several public aquariums.
Haplochromis rufus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is found over rocky substrates in the southern portion of the lake. This species can reach a length of 8.6 centimetres (3.4 in) SL. This species may be placed back in the genus Lithochromis when a comprehensive review of Haplochromis is carried out.
Haplochromis bicolor is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it prefers areas with hard substrates. This species can reach a length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) SL. This species has been placed in the genus Macropleurodus and may belong in that genus pending comprehensive revision of the genus Haplochromis.
Haplochromis luteus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known from the western park of Speke Gulf and also from the Sengerema region, all in Tanzania. This shallow water species, 0 to 2 metres, is found along gently sloping rocky shores. This species can reach a length of 13.3 centimetres (5.2 in) SL. This species was originally described in the genus Mbipia, however not all scientists have accepted such placement. It may be placed back in Mbipia should a comprehensive review of the genus Haplochromis be conducted.
Haplochromis mbipi is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where it is known from the southeastern portion of the lake. This shallow water species, 0 to 6 metres, is generally found along gently sloping rocky shores. This species can reach a length of 13.1 centimetres (5.2 in) SL. This species was originally described in the genus Mbipia, however not all scientists have accepted such placement. It may be placed back in Mbipia should a comprehensive review of the genus Haplochromis be conducted.
Neochromis is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Victoria. This genus is currently considered a synonym of Haplochromis pending a comprehensive review of the haplochromine cichlids, though if recognized as a valid genus it would contain the following species
Haplochromis greenwoodi is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria where they are found in the southeastern portion of the lake. Its preferred habitat consists of areas with rocky substrates. This species can reach a length of 13.5 centimetres (5.3 in) SL. The specific name honours the British ichthyologist Humphry Greenwood (1927-1995) for his contribution to the knowledge of the systematics of the Lake Victoria cichlids. This species is placed in the genus Neochromis by some authorities.
Haplochromis degeni is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria. It is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Platytaeniodus, but FishBase leaves it in Haplochromis pending a thorough review of that group. This species grows to a length of 15.4 centimetres (6.1 in) SL. The specific name honours the Swiss naturalist Edward Degen (1852-1922) who collected fishes, including the type of this species.
Pundamilia is a small genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to East Africa, primarily in Lake Victoria. FishBase includes them in Haplochromis. The generic epithet comes from Swahili punda milia ("zebra") after their striped appearance.
Haplochromis nyererei is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria in Africa. This species can reach a length of 7.7 centimetres (3.0 in) SL. The specific name honours Julius Nyerere (1922-1999) who was President of Tanzania from 1961 to 1985.
Pyxichromis is a genus of haplochromine cichlids. The species in this genus are currently included in Haplochromis by FishBase. Each species is endemic to a different Rift Valley lake in East Africa.
Haplochromis vonlinnei is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria. It is greyish in color with a distinct mid-lateral band, and a rather slender shape. It feeds mainly on smaller fish. This species can reach a length of 15.9 centimetres (6.3 in) SL. The population of the species has declined due to the introduction of the Nile perch in the 1950s. It has not been recorded since 1980 and the IUCN lists it as "Critically Endangered" and considers it may already be extinct. This fish is named in honour of the Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus.
