Convict cichlid - Archocentrus nigrofasciatus

Convict cichlid ( common name )

Archocentrus nigrofasciatus ( fish name )

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Maximum size in aquariums (min-max): 13 - 15 cm ( 5.12 - 5.91 in )
pH of water: 6 - 8
Water hardness (dGH): 4 - 12 °N
Recommended temperature: 20 - 27 °C ( 68 - 80.6 °F )
Compatibility (temperament to it's family): aggressive (read this answer)
Compatibility (temperament to other fish species): aggressive (read this answer)
Place in the aquarium: Bottom levels
The way of breeding: Spawning
Fish origin: Central America

Information about care

Feeding

Quite easy. Use small fish (Guppies for example), granules, beef heart, tubifex, small worms, insects. Don't forget to use vitamins-rich food.

Sexing

Males are larger than females.

Breeding

Like other Central America cichlids, they lay eggs on a previously cleaned rock. Parents will guard the fry.

Lifespan

Up to 10 years.

Picture credit

Thanks to Kevin who has allowed us to use his pictures. Some pictures were sent by Krysta Kehoe. Other pictures were bought from jjphoto.dk. Also thanks to Jonathon Whipple.

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Convict cichlid

has been viewed times since June 30, 2009.

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Contributed by: Melinda»5

On: September 16, 2007, 9:51 pm

Our fish had babies, do you know when it is a good time to speparate them from parents?

Contributed by: admin»665

On: September 17, 2007, 5:44 am

Hi Melinda.

Basically, there should be no need for separation (if your aquarium offers what it should offer to the fry). Anyway, if you want to do so, do it on 5-th or 6-th day after hatching.

Contributed by: Ken»2

On: November 7, 2007, 12:34 pm

My pair laid eggs and were guarding them but next day they were all gone. Should I have taken the rock out of the tank? I have loaches, pictus cats & rope fish in with them.

Contributed by: admin»665

On: November 8, 2007, 11:25 pm

@Ken: Yes, move the rock to another aquarium.

Contributed by: simon»2

On: February 29, 2008, 1:15 am

I’m buying a new tank, the dimensions are L-60 inches, W-15, H-20. I am going to keep Central American cichlids, would these fish be compatible?

1-Jack dempsey
1-Convict
1-Salvini
2-Blue acaras

Would the tank be large enough to sustain these fish and could I include some hardy plants such as java fern? Thanks.

Contributed by: admin»665

On: March 3, 2008, 1:14 pm

These fish won’t feel fine in a such aquarium. Length would be OK, however width and height are too low. Acaras will OK for this fish tank in my opinion.

Regarding Java Fern: This plant doesn’t do well in aquariums for Central America Cichlids. Instead, some South America biotope will be more suitable for this plant species.

Contributed by: shinsta»15

On: November 2, 2008, 2:14 pm

Hi again,

I have three breeding pairs of convicts. One of the pairs of convicts is a male albino and the female is a common convict. I'm wondering if the babies will end up having both the albino and black coloring of both of the parents.

Contributed by: admin»665

On: November 14, 2008, 4:57 pm

@shinsta: This question can’t be answered 100% by anyone. It’s similar to any other species when you try to breed albino form with ordinarily coloured form. Usually babies have normal colours (not albino). However, the more you let them to reproduce, the higher chance that you get another albinos.

Contributed by: mike»9

On: April 1, 2009, 5:17 am

I have two convict cichlids that I have had for multiple years. The father is a large bull and he has already had three generation of fish. However this new spawn of babies are different. I have been keeping them in the same tank and now that the babies are 1/2 inch long, they started to nibble on the parents top fin. It is ruining their excellent coats but I am afraid to move the parents away too soon. What do you suggest?

Contributed by: admin»665

On: April 2, 2009, 4:20 pm

@mike: The best solution would be separating a few juveniles from the parents by a divider. If they do well (meant as if they eat normally, swim normally), then you can separate the rest too. Apart from this, I think that once they’re able to nibble on the parent’s fins, they should be also able to live alone.

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