All cichlids have teeth, but each species will have a different set depending on their diet. Some have evolved smaller rows of teeth for scraping off algae from rocks; others have more fang-like teeth for catching small fish.

How do cichlids chew?

These throat jaws, which are highly modified gill bones, with associated ligaments and muscles, serve as an additional food processer that can crush or pierce food after it passes through the mouth.

How many teeth do cichlids have?

Some East African cichlid species have as few as 40 teeth, while other species have evolved to have over 1000 teeth on each jaw in only a few million years (Fryer and Iles 1972; Friedman et al.