Cichlids & Anabantoids related

[New Boy]

I read on a website somewhere whilst researching badis badis for my tank that cichlids and anabantoids are actually closely related and are both members of the perch family - is that true? I do think that these fish tend to have more individual personality than tetras, barbs etc in my experience so thought it could be true.....anyone know for sure?

 

[Lateral Line]

Cichlids and Anabantoids both are members of the Order Perciformes.

It depends on whether you class fish related at Order level as closely related or not. They are closer related to each other then either is to a barb, (Cypriniformes), for example though. That said, the Perciformes Order also includes fish such as Parrotfish, Barracudas and Gobies which are very very different fish.

 

[Dwarfs]

Perciformes contains the smart fish