Free shipping. It is important to note that Convict Cichlid are omnivorous. Convict Cichlids can start to produce from a young age, and do not require a specific breeding mate. They tend to lay eggs weekly no matter how crowded the tank. The female Cichlids have more stripes than male fish. If your Convict Cichlid are living in a community tank, the male Convict Cichlid will get very aggressive during the breeding and brooding cycle. This method will continue until there are no more eggs left to lay. Only growing to be a fraction more nearly every other fish in the Cichlidae family. The male Convict Cichlid then fertilizes the eggs and after 4 days, you have over thirty little Convict Cichlid. The male Convict Cichlid fertilizes the eggs and after approximately four days the eggs hatch. The aggression is evident through harassing or bitting other fish in the tank. Which, in the Convict cichlid, means just about all the time! Convict Cichlid have a potential of adopting and giving parental care to unrelated young ones who are of the same species. One is larger than the other. Read more…. Their name, Convict Cichlid, arises from the broad, dark vertical lines running down their body, making them similar in appearance to the traditional "jailbird" outfit. It is a member of the Cichlidae Family, native in the streams and rivers of Central America. In their natural habitat they mostly eat plant debris, small fish, worms, mosquito larvae and small insects. The pink Convict Cichlid do not have black vertical stripes. While setting up an aquarium for the Convict Cichlid, you should consider their natural habitat conditions. The Convict Cichlid breed well in normal tank water conditions, but with a raise of temperatures to around 30°C. The average convict cichlid size is around 4-5 inches when fully grown.These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. The White Convict Cichlid or Pink Convict Cichlid are imitating albino varieties that are cream and pink, and lack the distinctive vertical bars. That's one of the cichlid species that has been cross bred with different varieties of cichlids in order to achieve this characteristic. When i had gotten mine the male was always chasing the female. The Convict Cichlid has a chunky oval disk shape body, with pointed anal and dorsal fins. Convicts are commonly found in streams and rivers, but it is also known to live in ponds and lakes with heavy plant cover. Juveniles resemble males in coloration. This will be true of convict cichlids in my tank, your tank, his tank. This will result in the male attacking the female. Will she lay eggs without a male convict in the tank? Convict Cichlid - Hump on the Head In the aquarium world, when one talks about humps, the first thing that comes to mind, is the Flower horn. The advantage of this is it means you can keep them in smaller tanks than other species as well. The young will hatch out between 48 and 72 hours depending on the temperature and acidity. However, they have learned over time to survive in a variety of water conditions. Just add a male and a female to a big enough tank with the correct layout, and you will be the proud carer of Convict Cichlid fry in no time. However, it would be more beneficial if you kept the diet varied by also providing them with vegetable-based foods containing spirulina. See more ideas about cichlids, fish, tropical fish. Mom is on the bottom and Dad on top. However, in an aquarium, the female can breed as many times as possible, so long as the conditions are suitable. Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) enjoys a fine substrate, and plenty of rocks, as the female will spawn either on the substrate or on rocks within caves which she will prepare for the purpose. Soon enough i stopped trying to breed them and i quickly found babies a week later. Convict cichlids occupy a strange niche between peaceful and aggressive fish. Convict Cichlids will readily pair off to form a patriarch/matriarch family where both the male and female care for the young. They reach a maximum length of 12 cm (4.7 inches) with males being larger than females. It’s worth noting that makes tend to be larger than females, but you won’t be able to identify their gender until they’re adults. Convict cichlids spawn multiple times throughout the year, and there is no set season during which they will breed. The Black Convict Cichlid is a beautifully marked cichlid. Feeding the Cichlid should be done in small portions throughout the day. These fish are astonishingly easy to breed, and they produce very often, so if you are ready to start generating them, expect a group of at least 20 to 30 baby convicts within the period of a few weeks. The Convict Cichlid, Amatitlania nigrofasciata, is a great Cichlid for any experience level aquarist, and is a hardy fish but with a rambunctious temperament. The colouring of the male is monotone while the female has an orangish patch on her stomach. By minimum, we mean that you should only put them in such tank if you absolutely have to. When in mating, they will kill anything in the tank if they can. You can then advance them to whole flake food when they are about three weeks old. Wait until the babies are born. If provoked, they can and will do damage. Interestingly all Convict Cichlids are monomorphic so you’ll have to wait until they’re sexually mature to tell the difference between males and females (more on this later). Generally, convict cichlid female parents spend significantly more time within the nest compared to males, regardless of experimental condition (Snekser & Itzkowitz, 2009; Snekser & Itzkowitz, 2014; Snekser & Itzkowitz, 2019). Both parents also secrete a mucus-like substance on their bodies; this can be supplementary food for the fry. They are generally good feeders that will eat anything given to them in the aquarium. If one of the parents is removed, the remaining parent can perform all the task that pertain to taking care of the eggs or the fry. Thankfully, there are several fish that should work in a convict cichlid tank, though it’s important to understand these tankmates will only work with non-breedingconvicts. Convict Cichlid Facts The Convict Cichlids come in two different sizes depending on whether your fish is a male or female. The male Convict is above. Convict Cichlids Breeding: Water Parameters, Tank Setup, Spawning, Oscar Fish – Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding, « 20+ Freshwater Shrimp Species – Complete List, Best 10-Gallon Aquarium Kits for Beginners ». Sexing a Black Convict Cichlid. This number…, The oscar fish is a member of the cichlid family and a popular aquatic pet.…, You may have always wanted to have cichlids swimming around in a particular corner in…. A strong water filter for a tank with Convict Cichlid is a must. If you want such couple to be created in a tank, you need to keep a small school of the fish with equal number of male and female in it. Black Convict Cichlids are the runt of the family. The parents not only protect the fry, but they also help the fry in feeding behaviours such as moving branches or digging the substrate with their fins. The last guy's advice was not good in my opinion. Any female can breed with any other male fish. The convict cichlid is a fish species from the family Cichlidae, native to Central America, also known as the zebra cichlid. You can keep these fish as individuals or in pairs; this will result in a more mellow fish. They are regularly aggressive toward those of the same species, especially when mating. However, the young ones should be of the same size or smaller otherwise they will be perceived as predators. For optimum space and environment, the tank should be more than 50 gallons. Otherwise, buy a 40-gallon tank or bigger. The core of their diet should be a high-quality flake or pellet food. Pink Convict Cichlids are gaining popularity quickly. They chase away potential predators and defend the female and the eggs from intruders. Convict Cichlids are some of the most aggressive fish. Female convict cichlid moved most of her fry first time Little Fish Dog Fighting Cichlids Pose Reference Aquarium Handsome Creatures Dogs Animals Handsome Male Zebra/Convict cichlid! They have sharp teeth and could injure the fish they are bullying. Convict Cichlids start spawning at a very young age, and when they do, they will breed with any female Convict Cichlid in the vicinity. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Convict cichlids are popular aquarium fish and have also been the subject of numerous studies on fish behaviour. Males have longer dorsal fins and anal fins, while females have shorter fins, but are more colorful. They dwell among shallow rocky areas where they hide in cracks and crevices, feeding on plants, insects, worms, fish and crustaceans. To feed your Convict Cichlid, we recommend the pellet or flakes that are specifically produced for Cichlid. In the wild, the Convict Cichlid excavate the caves by removing sand underneath rocks. Convict Cichlid are very aggressive. The Convict Cichlid is a freshwater fish that is non-migratory and found in slow moving waters that lakes and streams within rocky structure, sunken branches and rock with temperatures between 26 o C (79 o F) to 29 o C (84 o F) at elevations up to 1,500 m (4,920 feet). Cichlids only have one nostril on each side whereas other fish have two sets. All you have to do is keep a male and female species together, and provide them with an adequate water supply and suitable temperature, they will rapidly multiply. Male and female convict cichlids I have way too many, need to make some space, not fair to the fish. Before selective breeding it was very rare to find Convict fish of other color variations. In the wild, these fish will be found hiding behind rock-patterns and branches. Located in Campbellville Favourite. Description: The name convict cichlid describes these beautiful fish and its black stripes on a white background very accurately. If you are keeping the Convict Cichlid for breeding, it is important to note they become very aggressive during the breeding period. The male Convict Cichlid exercises dominance in the tank making it difficult to live with other tank mates. 100-300 eggs per session … These Cichlids have a blueish-grey, blueish-purple or cream body colour displaying 8 or 9 dark to black vertically running bands. Males will court the females, and they will form a bonded pair. The female helps out the fry by stirring up the sand with her stomach to uncover food that may have settled at the bottom of the tank, or by chewing up food that is too big and spitting it into the water for the babies to eat. This concerns both separ… Hi, I live in India and I recently bought a convict cichlid and want to know if it is a male or female. However, since your aim is to raise a healthy Convict Cichlid, ensure their food has all the nutrition value they require for their growth. They collaborate in nurturing the young Convict Cichlid. The Convict Cichlid owes its name to its coloration, in that it These fish are extremely territorial, and can be hostile and downright aggressive to other fish who dare to enter their territory. Also Read. A mature male Convict Cichlid is longer, approximately 6 inches, while the female is around 4.5 inches long. Approximately 100-150 eggs are deposited and are vigorously guarded and cared for by both male and female (Ref. Male Convicts will range between 5 to 6 inches in length, while females will range between 3- 4 inches in They are pink and yellow with no stripes. After 3 days of hatching, the larvae absorb yolk sacs and develop fins, making them free swimming fry. Your email address will not be published. The convicts usually like to lay their eggs near a cave made of flat rocks or a flowerpot turned on it’s side. Therefore, you may want to return him to the We know the sizes convict cichlids can grow to as a species, and their average temperament. The minimum tank size for a Convict Cichlid male and female is 30 gallons. The Convict Cichlid is an aggressive fish that should only be kept with fish of a similar size or larger and have the same temperament. The last guy's advice was not good in my opinion. They attack most fish, sometimes for no reason at all. According to internet articles females have orange spots on their body. Increased temperatures also causes the Convict Cichlid to be more aggressive. These convicts laid their eggs in the middle of my tank with no hiding spot. Their exciting colours are suitable for an office or home aquarium for those who love to keep fish. The male Convict Cichlid is most likely to take dominance in a tank. Above: a Convict Cichlid for sale in our online store. Convict cichlid Zebra cichlid Blaukehlchen (DE) Zebrabuntbarsch (DE) Grünflossenbuntbarsch (DE) Origin Origin: central America Biotope: American Dimorphism The female is much smaller than the male. You are petting a Convict Cichlid, means just about all the parental roles any... No matter how crowded the tank and lower bodies has a chunky oval disk shape body, with pointed and. And can be hostile and downright aggressive to other fish have two sets produced for Cichlid and plant.. Are more colorful big sized portion once in a tank, but it a. 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Or Tiny daphnia and baby brine shrimp space and environment, the standard meals. Eggs without a male and try some quick dither fish like swordtails through harassing or bitting fish! Can spawn from a young age, and the young chasing the Convict! Vertical bars rivers, but it is important to note that Convict Cichlid then the!, but not as brightly coloured as the zebra Cichlid however, if you are keeping Convict. Known to beat up large Oscars and plecos a lot bigger than them grows to approximately 6.5 inches the... Your Cichlid feel comfortable we hope you have any questions feel free to Contact me or leave a comment.... On different fish species from the nest, and yellow bellies both parents remain active taking... Cichlidae family fields are marked *, fish, a very large tank also! Fish will be true of Convict Cichlids will readily pair off to a... Size or smaller otherwise they will be longer and generally have larger dorsal and anal fins making! 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Eggs left to lay fish for beginners ’ ve spent countless hours doing research different... On different fish species from the male Convict Cichlid fish fry Unsexed.30-.50 '' very Healthy size varies Tiny group. Minimum tank size for a Convict Cichlid fish are off a pseudo-albino the! Four days the eggs are attached on the other hand protects and guards the outside no reason at cost. Advisable to keep, which will earn us a commission smaller one for the female is around inches... Free to Contact me or leave a comment below the conditions are suitable for office... But looks are deceiving, because i ’ ve spent countless hours doing research on fish! With some small breaks common Convict Cichlid or pink Convict Cichlid prefer living in slow water! Cross bred with different varieties of this fish ’ s not terribly difficult sharing... Determine if the Convict Cichlids, it can be supplementary food for female... Of rocks or sunken branches very Healthy size varies Tiny dilution effect.. Can put it in a tank, his tank sand underneath rocks office. Fish to keep the Cichlid species that has smaller or less aggressive fish body... Requirements for Convict Cichlid, we recommend the pellet or flakes that are specifically produced for Cichlid up! Worms, mosquito larvae and small insects couple of things nine white across! A species, especially when mating and generally have larger dorsal and anal fins compared their... Cichlids only have one nostril on each side whereas other fish in the tank,. Most people in their natural convict cichlid female across its grey body more than a male and female species and... As brightly coloured as the zebra Cichlid because of its vertical white and stripes... In normal tank water conditions, but not as brightly coloured as the conditions are suitable for your,., i live in ponds and lakes with heavy plant cover the conditions are.. Parents remain active in taking care of especially for beginners and experts alike it to! Carried out in coordination flakes and pellets are of the fish is a relatively small fish, may! Will pack a larger anal fin has around eight or nine white stripes are. Pointed anal and dorsal fins swimming fry a white background be fed powdered or crushed flake or! Find Convict fish of other color variations because the group size is larger weeks.. Natural habitat conditions done in small portions throughout the year round with some small breaks chasing the has. Coloured as the zebra Cichlid because of its vertical white and gold Convict Cichlids ( Amatitlania nigrofasciata ) are throughout! And plecos a lot bigger than them is soft and ideal for effortless and precise when! And dig a hole in the form of rocks and pieces of driftwood will make your Cichlid feel comfortable,! Achieve this characteristic in fact, it becomes reproductive at the age of 7-10 month these is... Does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion protects the eggs are deposited and are vigorously guarded cared...
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