Convict Cichlid

The convict cichlid got its name (convict) from the 8–9 black vertical bars on its gray-blue body; a white form ("pink convict") is also common. It is known for its hardiness and easy breeding: a pair of convicts will breed in the aquarium almost on their own.

But this ease comes with a warning: a breeding pair can claim half the aquarium and drive the other fish into a corner.

It lives in fast- and slow-flowing streams and rivers of Central America, over stony bottoms with plenty of roots.

• Volume: At least 120 liters for a pair; 200 liters or more together with other species.
• Decor: Caves, flat stones, roots. Convicts dig in the substrate and rearrange the decor; plants get uprooted.
• Water: 22–26°C; it adapts to a wide range of values.

Omnivorous and insatiable. Cichlid granules, frozen foods, vegetables. Avoid overfeeding.

Very aggressive for its size, especially when it has fry. It eats fish and shrimp that fit in its mouth.

Good companions: Larger Central American cichlids of similar temperament (in a large tank), robust plecos, fast and large schooling fish.

Avoid: Peaceful community fish, small fish, shrimp, planted tanks, slow and long-finned species.

The convict is kept as a pair. A second pair in the same tank is only possible in a very large layout divided up with rocks. In a tank where the pair breeds constantly, the number of fry rises quickly; there should be a plan for rehoming the fry.

The pair chooses a cave, cleans it out and lays 100–300 eggs. The male and female guard the eggs and fry together for weeks. The fry eat fine food and brine shrimp from the first day.

Very hardy. The main risk is injuries from territorial fights.

Males are larger, with a steeper forehead and longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females have orange-pink patches on the belly and dorsal fin; this is the easiest way to tell the sexes apart.