Convict Cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Min Tank Size
110L
Adult Size
10 cm
Lifespan
10 years
About
Native to Central America, from Guatemala down through Honduras and into Nicaragua, convict cichlids get their name from the bold black vertical bars running across their white or grayish bodies. They look like tiny inmates, and they act like it too. Females often display a striking orange or pinkish blush on the belly, which becomes vivid during breeding condition. Males grow noticeably larger and develop a slight nuchal hump with age.
These fish are genuinely hard to kill. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions, eat practically anything offered, and adapt to most community setups with ease. Water temperature anywhere from 20 to 29 degrees Celsius works fine, and pH anywhere in the 6.5 to 8.0 range is acceptable.
They're not fussy eaters either. High-quality cichlid pellets, frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, and even vegetable matter will all be accepted enthusiastically.
The real reason hobbyists fall in love with convicts is the breeding behavior. Once a pair bonds, they spawn with almost no encouragement. The parents excavate pits, fiercely guard the eggs, and then herd the fry around the tank with a level of dedication that's genuinely impressive to watch. A bonded pair will absolutely terrorize anything else sharing their tank, regardless of size. That fierce parenting instinct is both the biggest draw and the biggest headache.
Keeping them alone as a pair, or in a large tank with robust, fast-moving tankmates, gives you the best experience. Browse real convict cichlid tank setups to see how other hobbyists have handled the space and decor challenges.
Water Parameters
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Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Convict Cichlid together
Best kept as a dedicated pair in most setups — breeding aggression makes community tanks extremely difficult to manage.
Compatibility
Convicts are genuinely difficult to keep in a community tank because their aggression during breeding is so intense. Large, fast cichlids like Jack Dempseys or green terrors in spacious tanks can hold their own, but smaller fish will be bullied or killed. In a 200-liter or larger setup with heavy rockwork, robust fish like large barbs, giant danios, or other similarly sized Central American cichlids sometimes work. Shrimp and snails will be eaten. Anything slow-moving or long-finned is a target. The safest option for most beginners is a dedicated species tank with just a single pair or compatible pair plus a divider as backup.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
Beginners underestimate how quickly a peaceful convict turns into a wrecking ball once it finds a mate. The most common mistake is housing a pair in a tank that's too small, or with tankmates that have no escape route. Another issue is not providing flat rocks or caves, which leads the pair to spawn in inconvenient locations and become even more unpredictable. Filtration needs to be solid since these fish eat well and produce waste accordingly. They will dig, rearrange, and uproot plants constantly, so stick with hardy species like java fern or anubias anchored to hardscape rather than planted in substrate.
Behavior & Aggression
Convicts are territorial year-round, but the intensity ramps up dramatically during and after spawning. A bonded pair will pursue and injure fish several times their own size. Aggression is primarily directed at anything that wanders near their chosen spawning site or fry cluster. Outside of breeding, single convicts are bold and nippy but manageable. The main flash points are territory defense around caves or flat stones, and male-on-female harassment if the female is not ready to spawn. Providing broken sightlines with rocks and driftwood reduces but does not eliminate conflict.
Things to Know
- Pairs become extremely aggressive when breeding, will attack anything nearby
- Males can harass females to death, ensure hiding spots and space
- Will breed readily, expect frequent spawning cycles
- Can uproot plants and rearrange substrate and decor constantly
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