Specialized websites on cichlids gather hundreds, sometimes thousands of species profiles, categorized by lake, genus, or biotope. Faced with this wealth of information, quickly finding a fish from Lake Tanganyika or a breeding profile of an American cichlid requires understanding how these platforms organize their content.
Sitemap and structure: the shortcut that few aquarists use
Before digging through menu after menu, a simple reflex can save time. Most cichlid-focused sites offer a page that lists all their content in a tree structure. This type of page displays the main categories (species, biotopes, technical sheets, articles) and their subcategories, all on a single screen.
In practice, this overview allows you to quickly spot whether the site has a separate section for cichlids from Lake Malawi or if they are mixed with Central American species. You can also identify sections that are less visible from the main menu, such as breeding profiles or guides on water quality.
On cichlidae.be, for example, browsing the sitemap of cichlidae.be provides access to the complete structure of the portal, with each section and each profile categorized. It’s the most direct starting point when looking for specific information without yet knowing the site’s organization.
Filters by lake and genus: targeting cichlids from Tanganyika or Malawi
Specialized portals generally classify species according to two axes: the biotope of origin (Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, rivers of South America, Central America) and the taxonomic genus (Neolamprologus, Tropheus, Paraneetroplus, etc.). Understanding this dual entry changes the way you navigate.
Are you looking for a cichlid for a hard water aquarium replicating Tanganyika? Filter first by lake rather than by genus. This approach groups fish with similar water parameters, which is directly useful for tank compatibility.
Conversely, if you want to compare several species of the same genus (for example, the different forms of Tropheus), navigating by genus is more effective. The species profiles then display the geographical variants side by side, with their coloration and behavior specifics.
Practical case: finding a Paraneetroplus profile
Let’s take a concrete example. The genus Paraneetroplus includes less common Central American cichlids in the trade. On a well-structured site, typing the genus name in the search bar directly returns the available profiles. If the site lacks a powerful search engine, going through the “genera” or “taxonomy” section of the main menu remains the most reliable method.
Cichlid species profiles: reading technical information without getting lost
A typical species profile contains a lot of data. Without markers, you might miss practical information buried in the text. Here are the blocks to prioritize:
- Water parameters (pH, hardness, temperature): this block determines the feasibility of keeping it in your aquarium. It’s the first data to check before any purchase.
- Adult size and territorial behavior: a large or very aggressive cichlid requires an appropriately sized aquarium. This information is often placed just after the morphological description.
- Breeding mode (mouthbrooder, substrate spawner): this section is sometimes written by specialized authors like Philippe Burnel, Robert Allgayer, or Gérard Séguen. It specifies the conditions necessary for successful breeding in captivity.
- Precise geographical origin: beyond the lake or river, some profiles indicate the exact collection locality, which directly impacts coloration variety.
On the most comprehensive sites, each profile is linked to photos taken in natural habitats or in aquariums, often credited to specialized photographers. These visuals are not decorative: they help confirm the identification of a fish purchased at a fair or pet store.
Forums and community sections: finding reliable feedback
Species profiles provide a theoretical framework. Forums bring in field feedback. On a cichlid-focused site, the forum section (when it exists) is organized by theme: maintenance, breeding, feeding, technique, health.
To make the most of these spaces, a methodical approach helps. Rather than immediately posting a question, use the forum’s “search” function with the species’ Latin name. Older discussions often contain detailed responses, illustrated with photos and measurements of water parameters.
Francophone forums like that of the AFC (Association France Cichlids) structure their discussions by geographical area: West Africa, Great Lakes, South America, Central America. This organization by biotope, similar to that of species profiles, facilitates cross-navigation between the forum and the site’s reference pages.
Differentiating reliable advice from opinion
Have you found a discussion thread on the breeding of your species? Check if the author cites measured parameters (pH, conductivity) or if they remain vague. A quantified and dated experience report holds more value than a general opinion. Contributions from members identified as breeders or authors of works (Jean-Claude Nourissat, Philippe Hotton, Robert Allgayer) deserve particular attention.
Traceability and new sections on cichlid merchant sites
Since the implementation of European regulation 2023/2842, sites selling farmed cichlids are gradually integrating digital traceability blocks. These sections, sometimes accessible via a “source” tab or a code on the product sheet, detail the batch, the breeder, and the distribution circuit of the fish.
This evolution changes navigation. Where an online store previously displayed just a price and a photo, new boxes are appearing. They do not replace the classic species profile but complement it with regulatory data. For the informed browser, this is an indicator of the seller’s seriousness.
Purely encyclopedic sites (without sales) are not subject to this obligation. The distinction between merchant sites and reference sites remains a useful navigation criterion to know what type of information to seek and where.
Navigating a cichlid site involves mastering three reflexes: spotting the overall structure via the sitemap, filtering by biotope or genus according to your needs, and cross-referencing species profiles with forum feedback. The rest is curiosity – and in aquaristics, it rarely leads to a dead end.
