Convict Cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Cichlidae
About
The convict cichlid is a small but famously pugnacious Central American cichlid, named for the bold black bars that stripe its silvery body. Native to rivers, ponds and lakes from Guatemala to Honduras, it is extraordinarily hardy and one of the easiest fish to breed in the hobby. Pairs bond for life and become downright violent when guarding eggs and fry, taking on tankmates several times their size. This is a spirited fish for a species or robust cichlid setup, not a peaceful community.
Care
Keep a bonded pair in 110 L or more with rockwork, caves and a sand bed; expect intense aggression when breeding. Very hardy across a wide temperature and hardness range, but an avid digger that uproots plants.
Diet
Greedy opportunistic omnivore; feed varied cichlid pellets and flakes with frozen meaty foods and some vegetable matter. Feed modestly to avoid water-quality problems.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (223)
Avoid (48)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Convict Cichlid need?
- A Convict Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 110 litres (29.1 US gallons) with a footprint at least 90 cm (35.4 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Convict Cichlid need?
- Convict Cichlid does best at 21–29 °C (69.8–84.2 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 8–25 °dGH.
- Is the Convict Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Convict Cichlid is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.