by John Ducksbury
Synoma: Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, Heros nigrofasciatus, Astronotus nigrofasciatum.
Common name: Convict; Zebra cichlid.
Origin: Central America: Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Localities/Morphs: Normal (zebra striped) form, also White/Pink form, and “Marbled” (white/pink with black stripes/blotches)
Maximum size: 6″ (15cm) females usually smaller.
Natural habitat: Tend to stay close to rocky cover.
Natural foods/prey: Omnivore, will graze on algae (likely for the inverts contained there-in, and also prey on small fishes and inverts.
Water chemistry in the wild: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Predators: Larger fish (ie. P. dovii).
Brood size: Up to 500
Sexual dimorphism: Males larger, develop a nuchal hump, and have longer, pointer finnage. Females have orange/red bellies when mature, particularly prominant at breeding times.
Breeding method: Cave spawner. Spawns on cleaned rock/surface. Both parents guard and raise fry - aggressively.
Husbandry requirements
Minimum tank size:2′ will comfortably house a young pair for many years.
Sex ratio: 1:1 (pair)
Tolerance of conspecifics: Tolerant provided adequate space for territories.
Tolerance of heterospecifics: Tolerant provided adequate space for territories.
Water chemistry in aquaria: Very adaptable: slightly acid through to relatively alkaline. Hardness of little significance.
Temperature range: 68-82F (20-28C).
Foods accepted: Most prepared foods, small live foods. A good balance including vege matter is best.
Special requirements: Plenty of cover.
Notes
Convicts are know to be extremely aggressive when defending a spawn site. They have the ability as a pair to overpower and destroy larger tankmates if they feel threatened.
In my opinion a very underrated fish. Quite attractive,
and worthwhile just to watch spawning behaviour and brood
care, at which they are unmatched.
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Read an alternate convict cichlid profile
