Rainbow Cichlids are Central American Cichlids, native to a variety of lakes and swamps in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. This species tends to inhabit bodies of water with muddy bottoms where it feeds primarily on algae. These fish are named for their vibrant coloration – they typically have an overall gold or orange coloration that is often iridescent in appearance. Many specimens exhibit a dark band running along the lateral line and the fins are often colored to match the body.