  At the core of most research in zoological disciplines, ranging from
developmental biology to genetics to behavioral biology, is the ability to keep
animals in captivity. While facilities for traditional model organisms often
benefit from well-established designs, construction of a facility for less
commonly studied organisms can present a challenge. Here, we detail the process
of designing, constructing, and operating a specialized 10,000-liter aquatic
facility dedicated to housing cichlid fishes for research purposes. The
facility, comprising 42 aquaria capable of division into up to 126
compartments, a flow-through rack for juveniles, egg tumblers for eggs and
embryos, and a microinjection setup, provides a comprehensive environment for
all life stages of cichlid fishes. We anticipate that a similar design can be
also used also for other tropical teleost fishes. This resource is designed to
promote increased efficiency and success in cichlid fish breeding and research,
thereby offering significant insights for aquatic research labs seeking to
build or optimize their own infrastructures.
