Convict Cichlid

[fishfreaks]

Common name- Convict Cichlid, Zebra Cichlid
Scientific Name- Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum

Native geographical area- Central America
Native habitat- They tend to stay close to rocky cover
Maximum Size- 5 inches
Minimum Aquarium Size- 30 Gallons
Natural & captive Diet- Omnivorous. A varied diet of Vegetable and meaty foods. Enjoys lettuce, brine shrimp, bloodworms, beefheart, cucumber, cichlid pellets, tubifex worms
Tank zone- Everywhere
Temperament & compatibility- Aggressive, especially during breeding
Hardness range- soft to medium; ~10GH
pH range- 6.5 - 8.0
Optimal pH- 7.0
Temperature range- 74-78* F 23-25* C
Optimal temperature- 78* F
Salinity range- If you add salt to the tank, it should be no more than 1 teaspon per 5 gallons. Salt is NOT required
Photoperiod- Neotropical. 11-12 hours per day
Seasonal changes critical? No
Notable sensitivites- As with most fish, try to keep the temperature stable to reduce stress. Otherwise very tolerant.
Hardiness & Lifespan- Hardy, thrives under most water conditions
Physical description- Black and white vertical stripes. Mature males are a bit larger and have longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fins as well as a "hump" on their head. Females have an orange-red belly as well as blue and yellow. There is also albino convicts.

This is a male:

This is a female:


Activity peak- Diurnal
Habits- Will pick on any other fish no matter how big or small if it feels threatened. Avid diggers.
Spawning notes- VERY agressive during breeding. Excellent fish for beginners, but beware of their temperment. Know what you are getting yourself into. There is no need to anything special for a spawn. Someone once said "just add water, and the fish". The male and female convict will pair off and do a "mating dance". They prefer to lay eggs on flat surface such as a rock or even a flower pot. The breeding pair will begin cautiously defending their spawning area at this time against other fish and objects. (ie. your hand, plants) Convicts are wonderful parents. It takes usually 3-4 days for the eggs to hatch and the female will pick them all up in her mouth and move them to a safe place. If they go missing for a day or two, don't worry. Mom & Dad are taking care of them and move them if they feel threatened. The parents clean the fry peridocally, moving them from one pit to another in order to keep track of which ones have been cleaned and which haven't, so it's important to let them dig unhindered. It takes about 3-4 days for yolk sacs to be consumed, and at this time you should begin feeding powder food or a liquid 3 or 4 times each day. The parents will defend their young until you remove them or they are ready to spawn again.
Other notes- Should be kept with other agressive fish that can hold their own.