If someone started talking to you about a Neon Tetra, you would probably automatically assume that they were talking about a new automobile. But, if you were an aquarist, that is to say a tropical fish keeper, you would already know that a neon tetra is a very popular aquarium fish.

You've probably seen these shiny little fishies swimming around in your local pet store. They're the little guys that get along with other non-aggressive fish (did you think they were aggressive?). Often kept with other tetra species, the neon tetra is much happier when he has four or more buddies to swim around with.

And I can assume that if you know nothing about the tetras, you probably haven't heard about the Texas Cichlid. And no, he's not an Old West gunslinger--he's another popular aquarium fish (I set you up didn't I?), and one of the only cichlids native to the United States. Some sport fishers like to call this fish the Rio Grande perch (now maybe you've heard of it?). Again, aquarists know that the Texas cichlid is a favorite aquarium tenant, and these fellows can live as long as fifteen years!

You can learn more about the Texas cichlid and its cousin the convict cichlid, and all the other members of the cichlid family by visiting the Aquatic Community (or ACT Tropical Fish), an online aquatic resource and information website for tropical aquarium fish keepers, or aquarists as they like to be called!