cichlid

American  

[sik-lid] / ˈsɪk lɪd /

Also cichloid

noun

1. any of the spiny-rayed, freshwater fishes constituting the family Cichlidae, of South America, Africa, and southern Asia, superficially resembling the American sunfishes and popular in home aquariums.

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the family Cichlidae.

cichlid British  

/ ˈsɪklɪd /

noun

1. any tropical freshwater percoid fish of the family Cichlidae, which includes the mouthbrooders. Cichlids are popular aquarium fishes

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Cichlidae

Other Word Forms

• cichloid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cichlid

1880–85; < New Latin Cichlidae, equivalent to Cichl ( a ) a genus (< Greek kíchlē thrush, wrasse) + -idae -id ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cichlid

In cichlid fish, they appear to play a major role in shaping species differences.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 1, 2026

"On the whole, large differences in exploratory behavior were observed between the cichlid species, and these differences were also confirmed under laboratory conditions," says the evolutionary biologist.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2024

Others, including the emperor cichlid, checked out virtually the entire area right away.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 24, 2024

The findings suggest opportunity and versatility matter more than primacy, adds George Turner, an evolutionary biologist and cichlid fish expert at Bangor University who was also not involved.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 4, 2023

One such place is Lake Victoria in Africa, famous for its sympatric speciation of cichlid fish.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022