Convict cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
A tough Central American cichlid that breeds almost anywhere, and is aggressive enough to attack fish several times its size.
Key facts
- Body length
- 5.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 34 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Care level
- 2 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Cichlid pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworm, vegetables
- Origin
- Central America
- Hardier than53%
- Bigger than73%
- Calmer than14%
Water: their range vs yours
Convict cichlid tank mates
- Clown loachGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- SeverumGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Three spot gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Assassin snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Red swamp crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Redclaw crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Figure eight pufferGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Kissing gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Pictus catfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Striped Raphael catfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaConvict cichlid can eat young or small Betta; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidConvict cichlid outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 8400 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Bristlenose plecoConvict cichlid (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Bristlenose pleco.Risky
- Bronze coryConvict cichlid can eat young or small Bronze cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 9450 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Neon tetraConvict cichlid can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraConvict cichlid can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Fancy guppyConvict cichlid can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Panda corydorasConvict cichlid can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- OtocinclusConvict cichlid can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpConvict cichlid can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for convict cichlids: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 15 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 101.25 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 15.97 BU
- Min. water
- 108 L net
- Min. footprint
- 90 × 30 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 2)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- deep bodied, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Care notes
Convict cichlids come from Central America and are one of the easiest cichlids to breed, with pink and marbled forms on sale. They are territorial all the time and downright violent while guarding eggs.
A pair needs a tank around 29 gallons with a 3-foot footprint, ideally on its own. They dig and uproot plants, and small fish and shrimp are likely to be eaten.
Questions
What size tank does a convict cichlid need?
At least 34 gallons (108 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 5.9 inches without fins.
How many convict cichlids should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 2 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do convict cichlids need?
75–82 °F, pH 7–8 and 5–25 dGH. Convict cichlids come from Central America.
How long do convict cichlids live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with convict cichlids?
Good tank mates include Clown loach, Common pleco, Leopard sailfin pleco, Severum and Three spot gourami. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.