Name: Convict Cichlid.

Scientific Name: Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum.

Family: Cichlidae.

Origin: Central America: Guatemala, El Salvadore, Costa Rica & Panama .

Maximum size: 6”.

Tank size: 30g min.

Tank temp: 23 – 37C.

Tank setup: Needs lot of hiding spots and caves especially if you have more than 1.

Tank compatibility: An aggressive cichlid especially when breeding so doesn’t suit a community tank, best kept with other similar size and aggressive cichlids

Ph: 6-8 but 6-7 is best.

Feeding: Will do fine on a diet of cichlid pellets and flakes but enjoys live and frozen foods.

Sexing: Females are bigger and rounder than males and when ready to breed will have a orange patch on the side of there stomachs.

Breeding: They will spawn in a cave if available where the female could lay 50+ eggs. they will become very aggressive with the female guarding the cave and the male guarding a bigger territory around it, attacking any fish no matter what size. The fry should be free swimming after 3-4 days, they will stay in the cave until there egg sacs are absorbed at which time they can be fed on crushed pellets and flakes and live food such as brine shrimp and microworm.

Comment: There a nice loking fish but due to there aggression they arent suited to most fish tanks. They are a very easy fish to breed but often very unwanted and breeders end up having to give fry away for free or a small amount of money. They come in a few different colours including blue, pink/ivory, marble and yellow.

Normal female
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Pink/Ivory male
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