Editing Cichlid (section)

====Mouth brooding vs. pit spawning====
One of the differences studied in African cichlids is reproductive behavior. Some species pit spawn and some are known as mouth brooders. Mouthbrooding is a reproductive technique where the fish scoop up eggs and fry for protection.<ref name=Duponchelle-2008/> While this behavior differs from species to species in the details, the general basis of the behavior is the same. Mouthbrooding also affects how they choose their mates and breeding grounds. In a 1995 study, Nelson found that in pit-spawning females choose males for mating based on the size of the pit that they dig, as well as some of the physical characteristics seen in the males.<ref name=Nelson-1995/> Pit spawning also differs from mouth brooding in the size and postnatal care  exhibited. Eggs that have been hatched from pit-spawning cichlids are usually smaller than those of mouthbrooders. Pit-spawners' eggs are usually around 2&nbsp;mm, while mouthbrooders are typically around 7&nbsp;mm. While different behaviors take place postnatally between mouthbrooders and pit spawners,  some similarities exist. Females in  both mouthbrooders and pit-spawning cichlids take care of their young after they are hatched. In some cases, both parents exhibit care, but the female always cares for the eggs and newly hatched fry.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sefc |first1=Kristina M. |date=21 July 2011 |title=Mating and parental care in Lake Tanganyika's cichlids |journal=International Journal of Evolutionary Biology |volume=2011 |page=470875 |doi=10.4061/2011/470875 |pmid=21822482 |pmc=3142683 |doi-access=free }}</ref>