what makes a cichlid a cichlid?

[DepotFish]

I bought a little pumpkinseed today from the feeder tank at a local store, since he didn't look like he wanted to be a side dish and he'd do fine with my larger common goldfish. Anyway, I know he's a sunfish, but to me he looks like every other cichlid. What exactly qualifies as a cichlid?

 

[JDogg]

all fish in the family Cichlidae

give THIS a read maybe it will help :

 

[DepotFish]

Good ole wikipedia. Clears it up a bit. They are of the same order at least. Wow, so many types of cichlids and only 27 sunfish! Thanks for the link.