What is "cichla"

Cichla is a genus of cichlids native to freshwater habitats in tropical South America, but a few species have been introduced to regions outside their native range. The genus includes several species valued as game fish, collectively known as peacock bass, and is also of interest to cichlid-keeping aquarists. Cichla species are amongst the largest cichlids, with one species, C. temensis, growing to about .