Cichlids, wrasses, sergeants

Suborder Labroidei

This suborder contains cichlids, wrasses, sergeants, etc. The more familiar members of this suborder in Singapore, unfortunately, are the introduced cichlids.

Cichlids (Family Cichlidae)

1. Threadfin Acara Acarichthys heckelii - Introduced¹
2. Midas Cichlid Amphilophus citrinellus - Introduced
3. Peacock Bass Cichla monoculus - Introduced
4. Butterfly Peacock Bass Cichla ocellaris - Introduced
5. Peacock Bass Cichla orinocensis - Introduced
6. Three Spot Cichlid Cichlasoma trimaculatum - Introduced
7. Green Chromide Etroplus suratensis - Introduced
8. Eartheater Cichlid Geophagus altifrons - Introduced
9. Zebra Tilapia Heterotilapia buttikoferi - Introduced
10. Mayan Cichlid Mayaheros urophthalmus - Introduced
11. Guayas Cichlid Mesoheros festae - Introduced
12. Common Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus - Introduced
13. Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus - Introduced
14. Jaguar Guapote Parachromis managuensis - Introduced
15. Red-breasted Cichlid Paratheraps synspilus - Introduced
16. Luohan (cichlid hybird) - Introduced

Cichlids (Family Cichlidae)

Most cichlids are native to Africa and South America, although there are some species in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the Middle East to India. All Cichlids in Singapore are non-native. The most infamous being the luohan, which is a cultivated hybrid of various species of cichlids. Others like the Common Tilapia (also known as Mozambique Tilapia) and Green Chromide are also commonly seen in canals and rivers.

Butterfly Peacock Bass Cichla ocellaris at Sengkang Riverside Park ©Tan KH

Butterfly Peacock Bass with fries at Punggol Waterway Park ©Tan KH

Green Chromide (Etroplus suratensis) at Admiralty Park (left) and Sungei Buloh ©Tan KH


Green Chromide at Changi Coast ©Tan KH

Mayan Cichlids (Mayaheros urophthalmus) at Sungei Buloh ©Tan KH

Young Mayan Cichlid at Chinese Garden ©Tan KH

Common Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) at Admiralty Park ©Tan KH

Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at Kranji Marsh ©Tan KH

Luohans at Sungei Serangoon ©Tan KH

Wrasses, Tuskfishes and allies (Family Labridae)

1. Red-banded Maori Wrasse Cheilinus fasciatus
2. Anchor Tuskfish Choerodon anchorago
3. Black-spot Tuskfish Choerodon schoenleinii
4. Diamond Tuskfish Halichoeres dussumieri
5. Brown Stripe Wrasse Halichoeres bicolor
6. Silty Wrasse Halichoeres purpurescens

Anchor Tuskfish at Pulau Hantu ©Tan KH

Sergeants, Damselfishes, Anemonefishes and allies (Family Pomacentridae)

1. Bengal Sergeant Abudefduf bengalensis
2. Black-spot Sergeant Abudefduf sordidus
3. Scissorstail Sergeant Abudefduf sexfasciatus
4. Clark's Anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii
5. Tomato Anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus
6. Clown Anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris
7. Saddleback Anemonefish Amphiprion polymnus
8. Pink Skunk Anemonefish Amphiprion perideraion
9. Yellow-banded Damsel Dischistodus fasciatus
10. Pale-spot Damsel Dischistodus chrysopoecilus
11. Honey-head Damsel Dischistodus prosopotaenia
12. Threespot Damsel Pomacentrus tripunctatus

References

1. J. H. Liew, H. H. Tan, Y. Yi, D. C. J. Yeo. (2014) Ecology and origin of the introduced cichlid Acarichthys heckelii in Singapore’s fresh waters—first instance of establishment. Environmental Biology of Fishes 97:10, 1109-1118.