You may feed it with different food: for example, some artificial feed for cichlids, some plant tablets and flakes with spirulina, blood worm, tubifex, brine shrimp. Author Note: Another factor that can influence the lifespan of convict cichlids is their genetics. Their anal fins begin at the midpoint of their body and stop at the beginning of the caudal peduncle. Spawning happens all the year round with some small breaks. Always do your homework about what’s needed before purchasing one! Things like Ich or fin rot are both possibilities if these fish live in subpar conditions. Breeding convict cichlids is a breeze. The Convict Cichlid is a popular choice of fish from the cichlid family. This has led to some concern of overfishing/capturing, but so far the population hasn’t been impacted outside of normal levels of fluctuation. This will ramp up the aggression and territorial behavior significantly and surely lead to someone getting hurt. 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. We always like to start with the substrate because it will impact the kind of plants you can include. Convict cichlids get their name from the series of black vertical bars that run down their bodies. Fish body has about 8-9 vertical dark stripes on it, due to which the fish has got its name. Its coloring intensity may vary. Size : Up to 4 inches (10 cm) pH : 7 - 8. You might find that some plants you want to include are a bit too flimsy to handle any digging. Convict Cichlid My boy Robert is already pushing 4" and thought to be less than 1year old. The waters where convict cichlids come from have these in abundance. They actually look pretty much like African cichlids but with a different color and pattern. Fish body has about 8-9 vertical dark stripes on it, due to which the fish has got its name. Once you have the general layout of your aquarium ready, simply crank up the water temperature a bit. They are large fish, despite their current store-bought size. The convict cichlid parents will flat-out attack any other fish that wanders too close! The advantage of this is it means you can keep them in smaller tanks than other species as well. Fecundity: The Convict Cichlid female will produce up to 300 eggs per clutch, and become extremely defensive once the fry have hatched. Once larvae hatch from the eggs their attentive parents take them to some other place. Convict cichlid prefers slow flow waters with rocky bottom. Grayish body with vertical black stripes. In the wild convict cichlids are omnivores and eat a mix of insects and plant matter to get nutrition. This isn’t something to agonize over, but if you can provide it we believe it will help keep them happy and stress-free. Convicts and parrots should not be kept together, and not because of their size. Its coloring intensity may vary. Convict cichlids are so easy to breed they Most convict cichlids on the market today have a grey-blue base with vertical black stripes on their body. However, things get a bit trickier when you start thinking about planning how they’ll get along with other fish. Purchasing from reputable sellers is an easy way to avoid this. When it comes to their recommended tank and water requirements, these fish aren’t that challenging. This concerns both separate spawning tanks and community tanks. Body size is from 8 cm (3 in) to 12 centimeters (4.7 in). They are called like this due to the contrasting black and white patterns on them. Body size is from 8 cm (3 in) to 12 centimeters (4.7 in). Due to their small size they don’t need a whole lot of water to live in. 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. This isn’t a fish that’s afraid to investigate different areas of the aquarium. We can find its gender-based on body size. it eats everything you give. After roughly a week the fry will be ready for you to feed them (we recommend brine shrimp). While this might sound too good to be true, it really isn’t. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about convict cichlid care. 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. It’s desirable to keep this fish in large capacity tanks and some open spaces for the fish to swim. The dorsal fin continues to the start of their caudal peduncle and is semi-transparent. [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. Also, don’t put a male and female in a community tank! While the bars that cover the body of convict cichlids are black, the rest of the body is a greyish-blue. 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. 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. By the end of the day all juveniles get together in their nookery. As an adult they will have 8/9 black stripes across the length of its gray body. Author Note: This will impact their lifespan and general health as well. Older males frequently develop vestigial fatty lumps on their foreheads. 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. The Black Convict Cichlid is a tough little species that originates in Central America. The ideal diet for convict cichlids is a mix of pellets or flakes with live food options as well. For a few extra bucks you can make your fish a lot more comfortable. It’s also a good idea to include some plants in the aquarium as well. Females tend to be smaller than males and have more intense coloration. Our two favorite live foods to give them are brine shrimp and bloodworms. Some buyers think they’re getting a different color convict cichlid when in fact it’s just the tank lighting playing tricks on them! Even though these fish are hardy it’s smart to invest in an accurate testing kit to make sure you’re getting correct readings. Chemical parameters of tank water don’t play an important part. Convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) are a freshwater species of cichlid that come from Central America. Common Names : Convict, Zebra Cichlid, Albino Convict. 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. Some rocks and driftwood are also a great idea. With that being said, it’s important to know their ideal parameters backward and forward. If these fish are bred and raised by a subpar breeder, this could hinder their ability to live a long and healthy life. The most important thing you can do is make sure their habitat is conducive to the breeding process. Convict Cichlids need a minimum of 30 gallons of water. To prevent tank pollution with feed leftovers, feed twice a day with small portions of food. 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. They are also referred to as the Zebra Cichlid. Some aquarists say you can get away with tanks as small as 20 gallons, but we disagree. If you have any questions or stories about convict cichlids that you’d like us to add to the guide let us know! Convict Cichlid - NEW FISH FACTS & TIPS in 2021 - Everything You Need To Know - water, ph, size, breeding, gender, varieties, tank mates, diet, colors, sexing A 30-gallon tank is ideal for one pair of breeding convicts. Regardless of this behavior, the Convict Cichlid is a frequent breeder. You may put some tank plants, but these should be some tolerant and strong kinds, since the fish often digs tank bottom substrate and moves it, so some small and tender plants may be dug out completely. These fish are an absolute delight to own, and they’re definitely one of our favorite cichlids. As always, the best course of action is to not let your fish get sick at all. As a rule we don’t take the fish parents from the tank. 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. Fish that happily eat anything can be prone to overfeeding. There are a ton of great options such as hornwort or even one of the best floating plant species. Convict Cichlid Stats. To stimulate the fish spawning raise tank water temperature up to 29 oC (84 °F) and renew ¼ of tank water with the fresh one. 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. Origin / Habitat : Guatemala, Central America Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 2". They are also referred to as the Black Striped or Black Convicts Cichlid and are a smaller species that are very aggressive. It’s better to keep the fish alone or with other Central America cichlid species in a very spacious tank. The Convict Cichlid is territorially aggressive, and will attack fish larger than itself. The average convict cichlid size is around 4-5 inches when fully grown.These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. Space-wise, a 20gal will not be enough for your parrot, let alone another cichlid. 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 Let’s say you’re doing a great job as an owner and your convict cichlid is living in an ideal habitat with great water, food, and low stress. Convict fish are in the shape of an oval. 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. 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. The hue of this color can vary slightly, but it’s usually rather consistent. There was also bred a short-body (balloon cichlid). The fish that gets into local ponds from tanks has created a stable population in Australia and North America. Their temperament is also why including hiding spots in their tank is so important. 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. The convict cichlid is one of the most popular species of cichlid you can find. Diet requirements, ideal tank mates, breeding tips, size, and growth rate are all covered in-depth. If you take convict cichlid care seriously right from the start, your fish will thank you for it later. A mellow current is also something that these fish will appreciate. Convict cichlids are omnivores and aren’t picky when it comes to finding food! Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) also known as Zebra cichlid is a species of fish belonging to the Cichlidae family. Just like all other cichlid species, this fish eagerly takes care of its breed, taking dead and non-fertilized eggs from the nest from time to time. When a spawn is in some nookery, its parents may show aggression to all trespassers (if spawning happened in a community tank). Pink Convict Cichlids and White Convict Cichlids have also been introduced into the hobby. It is aggressive and will attack any tank mates that aren’t another Convict Cichlid. To get good and healthy juveniles still it’s better to put them into a separate volume. Aquarium Fish Sale imports as many as we can to provide a broad selection for our aquarists. We’ve addressed each of these diseases in separate guides, but they’re worth mentioning so you know to keep an eye out. But if you have a tank large enough for a common pleco, then these fish make great tank mates for convict cichlids. Convict Cichlid Size The male convict cichlid grows up to 6 inches in length, while the female grows to an average length of 4 inches. If you’re someone who doesn’t want even the slightest possibility of a fight or aggressive behavior in your aquarium, keep them alone. It has a very interesting feature – how the couple takes care of its juveniles, a process which is rather exciting to observe. The extra space will go a long way when it comes to keeping these fish happy. 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. 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. These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. There are many different types of aquarium catfish out there. Convict cichlids are one of the easiest fish in the world to breed. Female has to a greater or lesser degree orange coloring in form of small spots on its abdomen and near dorsal fin. Establishing a regular feeding schedule is recommended as well. Convict cichlids are native to the lakes and streams of Central America. He’s been fond of aquarium husbandry since his early childhood. 2-3 days later, when the juveniles are without their yolk sac already, they start swimming around the tank carefully guarded by their parents. All you need to do is try and mimic their natural environment as best as possible. You have some room to be flexible when making this choice based on your own personal preference. First reports were of an occurrence in an irrigation ditch and a reservoir near Haleiwa (Oahu) in 1992. Convict cichlids prefer moving water, and are most frequently found in habitats with cover in the form of rocks or sunken branches. Convict cichlids have the classic cichlid body. Male is much larger than a female, its anal and dorsal fins are elongated. Common Name: Convict Cichlid, Black Convict Cichlid, Zebra Cichlid, Convict; Appearance: Vertical lines make this cichlid easy to recognize. Happy fish = healthy fish! The advantage of this is it means you can keep them in smaller tanks than other species as well. 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. This can be some flower pot, flat stone, coconut shell or a big sea shell. Their interesting pattern and active nature make them a very entertaining species. 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. This isn’t a demanding fish and it’s easy in care. They have a base color of blue-gray, with a vertical pattern of 8 or so black bands. Convict cichlids have average-sized ventral and pectoral fins that are fairly see-through. Author Note: This behavior isn’t constant by any means. Convict Cichlid begin to breed at the age of 4-6 weeks, about 2 inches in size i.e. They can spawn from very young age and I have seen 15gallon tank in a store that contained about 50 1-2 inch long convict cichlids. You should install filtration and aeration in a tank with juveniles and you should renew the water about twice a week. Silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), Convict cichlid, convict fish, tiger convict, sicklied fish, zebra convict. Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is one of the most spread and the least demanding cichlid fishes. These are some of the toughest fish on the planet. The minimum tank size we would recommend for Convict Cichlids is around 25 gallons. The Convict Cichlid gets its name on its body because of its vertical black and white stripes. It might be a change in behavior (like malaise or disinterest in eating) or something visible on their body. Community tanks do come with some element of risk with this fish even if you pair them with recommended species. However, there are the cases when males become aggressive and they may eat all the juveniles. Our recommended minimum tank size for convict cichlids is 30 gallons. Convict cichlids do best with a sandy substrate. Understanding the aggressive tendencies of the convict cichlid is essential if you want to provide them with good care. These fish fit right in with a lot of their cichlid relatives and are quite territorial and feisty. In our experience convict cichlids are much less territorial when living in a large tank with plenty of places to hunker down. This is because these fish will periodically do a bit of digging and rooting around, and a coarse substrate will end up scratching them. Its average lifespan is about 8 — 10 years, though provided with proper care the fish may live longer. Males grow to be roughly 6 inches long, as females grow to be roughly 4.5 inches in length. 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. Convict cichlids have a fairly normal growth rate, so there are no special accommodations you’ll need to make in that department. Appearance. 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. As far as their general activity level goes, this species loves to move. Convict Cichlid loves dwelling in slow-moving water on the bed of the rocky substrates. Due to their unique look and straightforward care requirements, it’s only natural that they’re a go-to option for many freshwater aquarists. Their caudal fin is partially transparent and average in size. However, it’s important to mention that this isn’t the safest possible option you can take. 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. Their different types can be found in countries all along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. There was also bred a short-body (balloon cichlid). Convict cichlid keeping is quite the same as for a classical cichlid species. Black Convict Cichlid – A Complete Guide (Care, Diet, Facts) Read More » First reports were of an occurrence in an irrigation ditch and a reservoir near Haleiwa (Oahu) in 1992. This fish is not a community fish. Because of their appealing look, convict cichlids have been sought after in the aquarium scene for many years. 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) Oct 21, 2018 - 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. The minimum tank size for a common pleco is 100 gallons – yes, that’s the minimum size. However, through the years he’s had experience of keeping almost all types of freshwater fish and shrimps. Convict cichlid is omnivorous, i.e. When being just juveniles create stable couples. None of the coloring or stripes make their way onto this fin, unlike the dorsal fin. 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. When a species eats just about anything, this can trick inexperienced owners into thinking a subpar diet is acceptable. This causes a neat visual effect when they swim and makes it quite fun to watch them. Convict cichlids are so easy to breed they Quite often you may encounter pink convict cichlid – its body is pinkish and yellow, the eyes are dark colored. Make sure that you don’t exceed more than one breeding pair per 20 gallons (75.7 L) of water. Proper convict cichlid care requires you to have an understanding of the behavior and temperament of these fish. I myself give some of this food to my pets and as for the rest I’ve heard and read lots of good reviews. One convict cichlid alone or a male and female combo are two common choices. Learn more. In this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about keeping them, including dietary needs, ideal tank mates, tank setup, varieties of pink and white colors, how to control their aggression. You’ll also learn some nifty facts about this species that will make you a more informed owner! We’re a big fan of these fish and recommend them to anyone looking to take the next step into intermediate territory. The males will have larger anal and dorsal fins, … It’s a good idea to separate the parents to prevent any aggressive behavior toward the little babies. Convict cichlid keeping is quite the same as for a classical cichlid species. Author Note: Keep an eye on how much food your fish are eating (especially early on in your ownership). Its average lifespan is about 8 — 10 years, though provided with proper care the fish may live longer. Temperature : 70°F - 80°F (21°C - 27°C) Water Hardness : 10° to 15° dH. 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. This species becomes very aggressive during the spawning period as well as any other time – it may attack other fishes. The fry will respond to signals from both the male and the female. more than 5cm Breeding Convict Cichlid is very simple. Start feed for the juveniles is some milled live and dry feed. Their natural habitat has plenty of wood and rocks for them to use as a place to hide in between feeding. Blood Parrots should be kept in groups. Both their dorsal and anal fins dangle back a bit like a sail. 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 is why trying to encourage breeding in a community tank is a terrible idea. It’s important to have a strong understanding of their diet if you want them to live as long as possible. This will ensure that they get the necessary variety and nutritional intake to stay healthy. There’s always a sweet spot you should aim for! Now established in Opaek’a and Kalama streams on Kauai. Origin: Parrot Cichlids are hybrids of Cichlids named Paraneetroplus synspilus and Amphilophus citrinellus , which are both native to Central A bad test kit can lead you to believe there’s a shift in water parameters when there really isn’t! Giving these fish enough space and pairing them with the right tank mates should keep them happy. Size. The Convict Cichlid is a popular aquarium fish kept by most people in their homes and offices. Because these fish are the opposite of picky eaters, beginners assume you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to their diet. They might be one of the easiest freshwater fishes to breed in a home tank! 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. 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). Convict cichlid (lat. The average convict cichlid size is around 4-5 inches when fully grown. This fish has black and white stripes on its body. 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). This is not a natural occurrence and is only sustainable due to the similar conditions that certain parts of the country offer. Convict Cichlid Size Difference Between Male and Female. The bars are one of the most important things that sellers look for with these fish, so if you’re making a purchase from a reputable party the fish you buy will likely have plenty of well-defined stripes. The Convict Cichlid is also known as Zebra Cichlid because of its vertical white and black stripes. This simply means taking an extra minute to really watch each of them and see if you notice anything out of the ordinary. To avoid this male is taken back to the community tank and the female stays to look after their juveniles. Males grow larger than females. The female Cichlids have more stripes than male fish. Territorial fish that are prone to aggression tend to behave significantly worse in small aquariums. 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. 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