thumb|right|200px|The bumblebee cichlid, Pseudotropheus crabro, is specialised in feeding on parasites from the catfish Bagrus meridionalis. Many cichlids are primarily herbivores, feeding on algae (e.g. Petrochromis) and plants (e.g. Etroplus suratensis). Small animals, particularly invertebrates, are only a minor part of their diets.
tHuMb|rIGHT|200px|thE BUMblEbeE CiChlId, pSeUdotrOpheuS cRabRo, is speCIaliSed In fEEdIng oN PARasITes FROm THe CatfisH bAGrus meRIdIonalis. maNy c,ichlIDS aRE pRiMariLy hERBivoreS FeEding on algae (e.g. pEtrOCHromis) anD plANts (e.G. eTroplUs SUrateNsIs). smalL animals, particulArly InveRtebratES, are oNly A minor parT of thEir diEtS.