About Cichlid of India

India is home to over 700 freshwater fish. These include catfish, loaches barbs Channas (Snake head) gobies, etc. The majority of species are native to just two areas namely that of the Western Ghats and the North East. Each year new species are identified and identified. Of all freshwater fish Indian barbs Channa as well as Cichlid fish are well-known worldwide and many hobbyists would prefer keeping the fish in their aquarium. There are over 1500 species of Cichlid that can be found around the world, however, there are just three species indigenous to India. They all share an incredibly similarity in appearance to Madagascan Paretropline Cichlids. * Etroplus suratensis Pseudetroplus maculatus Etroplus canarensis * Tank Size to hold this species of fish is an aquarium that has dimensions of base 48x25 inches. For Etroplus suratensis it is 60x24 inches.

In nature, fish are believed to breed in the months of December and January in the winter months, when temperatures are lower and the high monsoon water has been drained the simulation of the transition between seasons can trigger fish in captivity to spawn.

Etroplus Suratensis (Green Chromide) is found in fresh and brackish water bodies. They grow up to around 12 inches in length. They are aquacultured as a popular fish for food throughout the Indian state of Kerala. In addition to the size of these fish, they make ideal for your home aquarium. In the spawning period, they lay eggs placed on an underwater log, rock or sometimes weeds and roots in slow or still flow of water. Parents protect and move the eggs until they hatch which typically takes four days. The fry will shoal around their parents for the initial couple of weeks of development. The parents aren't allowed to feed them until the time they spawn until the fry have become independent.

Etroplus maculatus (Orange Chromide) are found both in freshwater and brackish bodies. In a variety of locations, they are located alongside suratensis. They can grow up to 4 inches in height. Males of this species display an intense orange coloring when they're breeding. There is a selectively-bred species of aquarium called the Tangerine Chromide. It spawns in shallow water, in the surface of a soft depression, which is excavated from both parents. Around 200 eggs hatch which develop after 5 days. During this time, parents tend the eggs, and, if required, blow the eggs. One parent is always in the egg while other parents go out and about. They are protected by their parents until they are close to sexual maturity.

Pseudetroplus maculatus (Orange Chromide)pair with fry in the Western Ghats stream. Etroplus canarensis (Striped Chromide) is only found in those of the Netravathi as well as the Kumaradhara River. They can only be found in Freshwater. They can grow up to 4 inches in length. The substrate is composed mainly of small stones and leaf litter with a few tree roots extending towards the sea along one side as well as other fish species like Puntius Mahecola, Pristolepis Marginata, Garra Mullya, Devario Malabaricus, Carinotetraodon Travancoricus, Rasbora Daniconius along with Barilius Gatensis.

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