Convict Cichlid

The convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) comes from the streams and lakes of Central America and takes its name from the black bars that cross a pale grey-blue body. Females are the more colourful of the two, developing an orange patch on the belly that males lack. It is famously hardy and famously prolific: a pair will spawn in almost any conditions and will then defend their fry against anything, including your hand.

Aquarium care

• A medium cichlid that needs floor space rather than height.
• Hardy and undemanding about water chemistry.
• Very aggressive when breeding, and a pair will dominate a tank.
• Wants caves, flat stones and wood, over sand or gravel it can dig in.
• It will uproot plants.
• Omnivorous and easy to feed: cichlid pellets, flake and frozen foods.

Suits a Central American tank with other robust cichlids of similar size in a large aquarium, or a species tank for a single pair. Have a plan for the fry, because they will arrive. In store only.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current Central American cichlids.