Convict Cichlid

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Native to the rivers, streams and lakes of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras). Thrives in a myriad of habitats: from clear and fast-flowing waters to warm and turbid lagoons.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Known as the Convict Cichlid, formerly Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. Medium-sized cichlid with an oval and muscular, very stocky build. Males reach 15 cm (6 inches), females are distinctly smaller (10 cm / 4 inches).

Social Behavior: Famous for being the incarnation of parental ferocity. Outside of reproduction it is aggressive but manageable, however, as soon as they spawn, the pair turns into a war machine, persecuting anyone who approaches the nest regardless of the size of the enemy.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Unmistakable livery, from which the name "convict" derives: 8-9 very marked vertical black stripes on a white or pale blue background. The breeding female shows off a wonderful and intense orange or golden coloring on the belly; males develop pointed fins and a strong nuchal hump.

Aquarium Setup: A pair requires at least 120-150 liters (30-40 gallons). Essential and indestructible setup: coarse gravel, woods, coconuts and smooth rocks. They dig obsessively and brutally uproot any plant, redesigning the topography of the seabed to their liking.

Diet and Feeding: Extremely voracious omnivore. Swallows anything it can tear or swallow. Granules for cichlids, fresh earthworms, bloodworms, spirulina and wafers for bottom fish. A varied diet guarantees bright colors and robust offspring.

Water Quality: Indestructible. The perfect fish for beginners thanks to its incredible tolerance towards chemical variations. Prefers hard waters (GH 10-20), alkaline pH (7.0 - 8.0) and medium temperatures (24-28°C / 75-82°F), but resists conditions very far from ideal.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Very difficult in small tanks. Must never be placed in community aquariums with peaceful fish (neons, corydoras, guppies) which it would massacre. Cohabits only in large American tanks with equally bellicose Cichlids (Jack Dempsey, Firemouth, Texas cichlid) and large Loricariids.

Aquarium Reproduction: They reproduce almost continuously in captivity, in a weed-like manner (Open substrate/cave spawners). Once the pair is formed, the clutch and the weaning of the fry are guaranteed, but the problem becomes getting rid of the hundreds of young born monthly.

Risks and Diseases: Disease is a rare event; the real problem is the overpopulation in the tank due to their fecundity and the systematic bullying towards tankmates which turns into real executions during the reproductive phase.