The cichlid fish are known for being aggressive and territorial, and the convict cichlids are no different. However, their gut health can be negatively affected by anxiety. Their adaptability to different kinds of food and environment makes them a popular aquarium fish. Their ability to protrude their jaw helps them to prey on other fish and successfully compete for it. They can feed on living, dead, meaty, and vegetable food. The convict cichlids can even survive on flakes or dead microorganisms. Ideally, the convict cichlids prey on small fish or insects like worms, or small plants like algae, and mainly crustaceans. The convict cichlids are known to show more aggression than normal in warm climates.Īlthough not as populated as in Central America, they can also be found in Mexico, Japan, Columbia, and Australia.

Their preferred pH is neutral but they can survive from 6.6 to 7.8 pH, while they are more adaptable and tolerant of cool temperatures. The convict cichlids prefer flowing water to still and are usually found in rocky habitats, with fissures and clefts on the surface where they can hide for safety. The East coast habitat is from Guatemala to Costa Rica, while on the west coast they are found from Honduras to Panama. The species of convict cichlids originate from Central America. They sometimes also develop fatty lumps on their foreheads with old age these lumps seem to have no function. The male convict cichlid fish are usually larger and have more pointed sets of fins when compared to the female convict cichlids. The wild convict cichlids usually have vertical black stripes, on a greyish-blue body. Despite this, their weights are almost equal, about 33 to 37 grams. The female species are about 5 cm long, while the males measure up to 6.5 cm. While they can be found in a huge range of colors and contrasts, female fish are rather brighter than the male of the species. The convict cichlids are colorfully striped. Tank Set-Up: Freshwater: Driftwood and CavesĬompatibility: Limited: Aggressive General Description Scientific Name: Archocentrus nigrofasciatus The average life expectancy of the convict cichlid is up to 10 years. They breed frequently when provided a safe environment and a safe place to keep their eggs secured.Ī baby convict cichlid might take about 6 months to mature, during which its parents are fiercely protective of them, to the point of being aggressive towards other fishes if needed. They are not only the third most popular species of cichlids but are also classified among the most populous species. They are called like this due to the contrasting black and white patterns on them.ĭue to this striped pattern, they are also known as zebra cichlids. Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) also known as Zebra cichlid is a species of fish belonging to the Cichlidae family.

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