The more you add, the higher the chance for territorial and aggression. This fish is not a community fish. Once you have the general layout of your aquarium ready, simply crank up the water temperature a bit. Usually, their black stripes will continue into the dorsal fin a bit too. This species becomes very aggressive during the spawning period as well as any other time – it may attack other fishes. This simply means taking an extra minute to really watch each of them and see if you notice anything out of the ordinary. However, you should keep in mind that this species is very aggressive towards its tank mates, that’s why in case of small capacity tanks the couple has to be kept on its own in a tank. Care Level : Easy. Convict Cichlids need a minimum of 30 gallons of water. Including them will help your fish feel comfortable and give them places to hide and get their own space (this is also useful for managing aggression). Author Note: This behavior isn’t constant by any means. The convict cichlid parents will flat-out attack any other fish that wanders too close! You might find that some plants you want to include are a bit too flimsy to handle any digging. Lifespan : 8 - 10 years, maybe slightly longer. Blood Parrots should be kept in groups. The fish is native to Central America: Guatemala, Panama, Costa-Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras. Male is much larger than a female, its anal and dorsal fins are elongated. After choosing the male and female fish, we put the fish in … Our two favorite live foods to give them are brine shrimp and bloodworms. The advantage of this is it means you can keep them in smaller tanks than other species as well. At the same time this is definitely not the fish for beginners due to its quarrelsome temper and the habit of digging the tank bottom. Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) also known as Zebra cichlid is a species of fish belonging to the Cichlidae family. Convict cichlid keeping is quite the same as for a classical cichlid species. Convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) are a freshwater species of cichlid that come from Central America. It’s worth noting that makes tend to be larger than females, but you won’t be able to identify their gender until they’re adults. Yet, all of the food is of high quality and it is the best one for this fish kind as well as it keeps the tank water clean. Convict cichlids are native to the lakes and streams of Central America. They are also referred to as the Black Striped or Black Convicts Cichlid and are a smaller species that are very aggressive. Silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), Convict cichlid, convict fish, tiger convict, sicklied fish, zebra convict. Learn more. A couple of young Cichlasoma nigrofasciata can live in a tank of 100 liters capacity (26 gallons), but reproductive adult fish require about 200 liters (52 gallons) capacity tank. This comes down to the individual behavior of your fish since some like to root around in the substrate more aggressively than others. It is aggressive and will attack any tank mates that aren’t another Convict Cichlid. None of the coloring or stripes make their way onto this fin, unlike the dorsal fin. These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. It’s desirable to keep this fish in large capacity tanks and some open spaces for the fish to swim. Purchasing from reputable sellers is an easy way to avoid this. The ideal diet for convict cichlids is a mix of pellets or flakes with live food options as well. The female Cichlids have more stripes than male fish. They’re found in tanks…, The 15 Best Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Catfish, Clown Loach Care: Tank Size, Food, Lifespan, Tank Mates…, Indian Almond Leaves: Benefits For Your Aquarium, The 35 Best Low Light Aquarium Plants (Must-See), 35 Peaceful Community Fish For Your Tank (Updated List), Malaysian Trumpet Snail 101: Detailed Info & Care Tips. These fish come from lakes and streams in this region with a moderate amount of current. If you have any questions or stories about convict cichlids that you’d like us to add to the guide let us know! They might be one of the easiest freshwater fishes to breed in a home tank! Plants, rocks, and driftwood can help give all the tank inhabitants some element of privacy. Consistently elevated stress levels take their toll over the years. Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is one of the most spread and the least demanding cichlid fishes. However, through the years he’s had experience of keeping almost all types of freshwater fish and shrimps. I myself give some of this food to my pets and as for the rest I’ve heard and read lots of good reviews. Perfect for beginner aquarists, the Convict Cichlid is a relatively small fish that will grow up to around 6 inches in length for males, and around 4 inches in length for females. Usually, you will find a black and white Convict Cichlid, but pink and yellow Cichlids are also found with no vertical stripes in their body. Convict cichlids are one of the easiest fish in the world to breed. Their interesting pattern and active nature make them a very entertaining species. Its average lifespan is about 8 — 10 years, though provided with proper care the fish may live longer. While this might sound too good to be true, it really isn’t. When it comes to convict cichlid care there aren’t any diseases that go after this species specifically. All you need to do is try and mimic their natural environment as best as possible. If you take convict cichlid care seriously right from the start, your fish will thank you for it later. Author Note: Another factor that can influence the lifespan of convict cichlids is their genetics. Convict cichlids prefer moving water, and are most frequently found in habitats with cover in the form of rocks or sunken branches. These fish fit right in with a lot of their cichlid relatives and are quite territorial and feisty. If you want such couple to be created in a tank, you need to keep a small school of the fish with equal number of male and female in it. For a few extra bucks you can make your fish a lot more comfortable. Their caudal fin is partially transparent and average in size. The dorsal fin continues to the start of their caudal peduncle and is semi-transparent. In our experience convict cichlids are much less territorial when living in a large tank with plenty of places to hunker down. Start feed for the juveniles is some milled live and dry feed. Stay consistent and disciplined with what you’re feeding them, and always look to see if there’s any food that’s not being eaten. It is a member of the Cichlidae Family, native in the streams and rivers of Central America. Cichlids / South America / Eartheaters / Cupid Cichlid Profile: Cupid Cichlid Biotodoma cupido Synonyms: Acara subocularis, Geophagus cupido Physical description: A cichlid with a rounded forehead and an elongated caudal peduncle.The dorsal and pelvic fins are elongated, and the caudal fin is fan-shaped. Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons (29 Gallons recommended) Care Level: Easy Water Conditions: PH 6-8 and Soft to Neutral Temperature: 68-80 F (20-27 C) Maximum Size: 6 inches (15.2 cm) for males, and 4 for females (10.2 cm) The fry will respond to signals from both the male and the female. When in mating, they will kill anything in … Male courtship process takes rather long time, once it’s finished the female lays the eggs in some place she likes. A bad test kit can lead you to believe there’s a shift in water parameters when there really isn’t! The Black Convict Cichlid is a tough little species that originates in Central America. The coloration can vary based on age, gender, and type, but we’ll speak to the standard convict cichlid variation that most people know about. Females tend to be smaller than males and have more intense coloration. Aquarium Fish Sale imports as many as we can to provide a broad selection for our aquarists. Convict Cichlid Tropical Fish Learn all about the Convict Cichlid's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. Convicts and parrots should not be kept together, and not because of their size. When a spawn is in some nookery, its parents may show aggression to all trespassers (if spawning happened in a community tank). This has led to some concern of overfishing/capturing, but so far the population hasn’t been impacted outside of normal levels of fluctuation. Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 2". This is not a natural occurrence and is only sustainable due to the similar conditions that certain parts of the country offer. Convict cichlids have average-sized ventral and pectoral fins that are fairly see-through. Convict cichlids have a fairly normal growth rate, so there are no special accommodations you’ll need to make in that department. Fish that happily eat anything can be prone to overfeeding. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about convict cichlid care. Tank Requirements for Convict Cichlid. Both their dorsal and anal fins dangle back a bit like a sail. Size : Up to 4 inches (10 cm) pH : 7 - 8. Instead, you should realize that since they’ll eat anything you put in the tank it’s on you to find out the right dietary balance. These are some of the toughest fish on the planet. They are very popular in the hobby as they are great for beginners and extremely easy to breed; they can also survive with much larger and more aggressive Cichlids. Even though these fish are hardy it’s smart to invest in an accurate testing kit to make sure you’re getting correct readings. Common Name: Convict Cichlid, Black Convict Cichlid, Zebra Cichlid, Convict; Appearance: Vertical lines make this cichlid easy to recognize. Due to their small size they don’t need a whole lot of water to live in. There’s always a sweet spot you should aim for! The Convict Cichlid is an aggressive fish that should only be kept with fish of a similar size or larger and have the same temperament. The extra space will go a long way when it comes to keeping these fish happy. As always, the best course of action is to not let your fish get sick at all. They actually look pretty much like African cichlids but with a different color and pattern. Convict fish are in the shape of an oval. While they do spend a lot of their time in the middle of the tank, convict cichlids will often check out the substrate and even do some digging. Quite often you may encounter pink convict cichlid – its body is pinkish and yellow, the eyes are dark colored. The convict cichlid is a small fish species that grows to a maximum of 6 inches (15 cm), making them good options for smaller aquariums. Taking the time to look for these signs will help you nip anything unwanted in the bud before it becomes a larger problem. Convict cichlid likes warm water 26–29 °C (79–84 °F), it can live under various parameters of water acidity and hardness, however it’s preferable for tank water to have ph about 6.6–7.8 and hardness 6 — 8 dGH. Some rocks and driftwood are also a great idea. But if you have a tank large enough for a common pleco, then these fish make great tank mates for convict cichlids. He’s been fond of aquarium husbandry since his early childhood. Community tanks do come with some element of risk with this fish even if you pair them with recommended species. Cichlasoma nigrofasciata is very easy in keeping and care. it eats everything you give. It’s a good idea to separate the parents to prevent any aggressive behavior toward the little babies. Aquarium Black Convict Cichlid Tank Care is pretty easy. Because these fish are the opposite of picky eaters, beginners assume you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to their diet. As an adult they will have 8/9 black stripes across the length of its gray body. Convict cichlids have the classic cichlid body. The hue of this color can vary slightly, but it’s usually rather consistent. The next couple of sections will cover the basics of setting up a suitable habitat for them so they’ll be healthy and not tempted to rumble all the time. In the wild convict cichlids are omnivores and eat a mix of insects and plant matter to get nutrition. This means providing them with enough space (50-60 gallons ideally) and including some rocks and even a cave for the female to lay her eggs. Common Names : Convict, Zebra Cichlid, Albino Convict. At four natural habitats of the convict cichlid in Costa Rica, the pH was found to range from 6.6–7.8, while carbonate hardness (KH) ranged from 63 to 77 ppm The fish is monogamic, it becomes reproductive at the age of 7-10 month. The aquarium was decorated with 3 small stones at the bottom and under each of these stones you could find a pair of convict cichlids that had dug a cave under the stone and bred in it. To get good and healthy juveniles still it’s better to put them into a separate volume. Fecundity: The Convict Cichlid female will produce up to 300 eggs per clutch, and become extremely defensive once the fry have hatched. If you fail to care for these fish properly and keep them in an unsuitable environment, it’s unlikely that they’ll reach eight years. These fish usually have around eight of these bars, but this number can be slightly higher or lower depending on genetic components. These fish usually spend most of their time near the middle of the tank. With that being said, it’s important to know their ideal parameters backward and forward. Grayish body with vertical black stripes. It’s important to have a strong understanding of their diet if you want them to live as long as possible. Breeding convict cichlids is a breeze. Look at the normal range and take it up to the higher side of the spectrum (somewhere 80°F and 84°F). Convict cichlids are omnivores and aren’t picky when it comes to finding food! These fish have a long dorsal fin that starts about a fourth of the way back from their mouth (this point is where their pectoral fins begin as well). Above: In this picture a young premium quality Polar Blue Parrot Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture . Size. Convict cichlids have a fairly normal growth rate, so there are no special accommodations you’ll need to make in that department. Chemical parameters of tank water don’t play an important part. Convict cichlid (lat. The most important thing you can do is make sure their habitat is conducive to the breeding process. This should be all you need to get things started. Nov 27, 2019 - Black Convict Cichlid Central and South American cichlids range from rare atramaculatus to common blue acara, though common is not a fair word for this uncommonly peaceful pretty fish. Convict Cichlid Size Difference Between Male and Female. Due to their unique look and straightforward care requirements, it’s only natural that they’re a go-to option for many freshwater aquarists. Convict Cichlid My boy Robert is already pushing 4" and thought to be less than 1year old. Because of their appealing look, convict cichlids have been sought after in the aquarium scene for many years. For example, if your convict cichlid has Ich you’ll see white spots on their body that will progressively get worse as the disease spreads. After roughly a week the fry will be ready for you to feed them (we recommend brine shrimp). Different color varieties exist. more than 5cm Breeding Convict Cichlid is very simple. Appearance. Most convict cichlids on the market today have a grey-blue base with vertical black stripes on their body. We’re a big fan of these fish and recommend them to anyone looking to take the next step into intermediate territory. [5] Other new species formerly included in A. nigrofasciata are Amatitlania coatepeque, from Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, and Amatitlania kanna, from Panama's Atlantic coast. The Convict Cichlid is a popular choice of fish from the cichlid family. Convict Cichlid Stats. It has a very interesting feature – how the couple takes care of its juveniles, a process which is rather exciting to observe. Things like Ich or fin rot are both possibilities if these fish live in subpar conditions. Convict cichlids get their name from the series of black vertical bars that run down their bodies. The female will wave with its fins to get the mud up from the tank substrate. This means they will be far less likely to develop one of the common diseases that can possibly afflict them. They are called like this due to the contrasting black and white patterns on them. As far as other species go, here are some possible convict cichlid tank mates: Author Note: If you decide to put a male and female convict cichlid in your tank there’s a strong possibility that they will breed. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It’s also a good idea to include some plants in the aquarium as well. They are large fish, despite their current store-bought size. They are also referred to as the Zebra Cichlid. Older males frequently develop vestigial fatty lumps on their foreheads. Sergey is a founder and author of Meethepet.com. If you’re someone who doesn’t want even the slightest possibility of a fight or aggressive behavior in your aquarium, keep them alone. This isn’t a fish that’s afraid to investigate different areas of the aquarium. Convict Cichlid loves dwelling in slow-moving water on the bed of the rocky substrates. Body size is from 8 cm (3 in) to 12 centimeters (4.7 in). The Convict Cichlid is territorially aggressive, and will attack fish larger than itself. Or sometimes it may be a big leave of a tank plant. If you have the space, a 40-gallon breeder tank is ideal, especially if you’re planning to breed more than one pair of convict cichlids. Aquarium Fish Sale imports as many as we can to provide a broad selection for our aquarists. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. The convict cichlid is a very hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. There was also bred a short-body (balloon cichlid). Diet requirements, ideal tank mates, breeding tips, size, and growth rate are all covered in-depth. The average convict cichlid size is around 4-5 inches when fully grown.These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. If these fish are bred and raised by a subpar breeder, this could hinder their ability to live a long and healthy life. Establishing a regular feeding schedule is recommended as well. Female has to a greater or lesser degree orange coloring in form of small spots on its abdomen and near dorsal fin. Despite their potential to be aggressive freshwater fish, you do have some options when it comes to convict cichlid tank mates. While convict cichlids are definitely not an “expert-only” species, there are a few things you’ll need to be aware of as an owner (namely their potential for aggression). This makes caring for them a little bit easier and gives you a little bit of flexibility when it comes to tank mates (more on that later). Fish body has about 8-9 vertical dark stripes on it, due to which the fish has got its name. Spawning happens all the year round with some small breaks. For successful breeding all you need is a male and female, but if spawning happens in a community tank – it’s a trouble for all its inhabitants. Male fish can reach up to 13 – 15 cm whereas female fish can reach up to 8 – 10 cm. Archocentrus nigrofasciatus (Convict Cichlid) Description: Grow to 10cm, with the males attaining alarger size than females. This is why trying to encourage breeding in a community tank is a terrible idea. Understanding the aggressive tendencies of the convict cichlid is essential if you want to provide them with good care. Happy fish = healthy fish! Males grow larger than females. The Black Convict Cichlid is omnivorous and will eat most prepared and frozen foods, including freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and ocean plankton, as well as flake food and Cichlid pellets. This will ensure that they get the necessary variety and nutritional intake to stay healthy. Author Note: Keep an eye on how much food your fish are eating (especially early on in your ownership). However, things get a bit trickier when you start thinking about planning how they’ll get along with other fish. These fish are an absolute delight to own, and they’re definitely one of our favorite cichlids. We’ve addressed each of these diseases in separate guides, but they’re worth mentioning so you know to keep an eye out. Our recommended minimum tank size for convict cichlids is 30 gallons. 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