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 (112)
Avoid (9)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.