Cichlids are a family of fish that vary greatly. They can be as small as a thumb or as large as a child and everywhere in between. They can be found in many different parts of the world. Cichlids are used as aquarium fish as well as fished for food. Breeding cichlids can be easy but it can also create problems.

This is an interesting fish that will breed with different but related species. This occurs in the wild as well as in captivity. They breed in captivity as easily as they do in the wild. However, some types of them are monogamous making them more difficult to breed.

Because of the ability to breed with other species they are often mixed with other fish to come up with ornamental fish for aquariums. They are selected for special characteristics and colours that are actually mutations.

This purposeful mutation is often met with controversy. One such fish is the blood parrot. This fish has been deemed the Frankenstein of the fish world. The angelfish is another example of the mutated cichlid. The fact that there has been a market created for these mutations has met upon a few frowns.

There are other cases where the ability of the fish to breed with other species has lead to problems in natural populations creating pets and nuisances. These fish can take over natural species and push them out causing them to become endangered or extinct. This is true in Malaysia and in the southern United States.

These fish are diverse in every sense. They can be found in a huge variety of colours, shapes and sizes. They eat anything from plants to snails, to sponges and even other fish. They are easy to breed and have a commercial market as food and for aquariums. Cichlids can easily become pests and breeding cichlids can have controversial results.

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