Photo: Deanpemberton, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Convict cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
15 cm
Adult size
300 L
Minimum volume
2
Minimum group
12 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Amatitlania
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- pair
In the wild
Overview
The “convict cichlid”, also called zebra cichlid, is one of the most widespread fish in the hobby, long sold under the names Cryptoheros or Cichlasoma nigrofasciatus. Its genus name comes from Lake Amatitlán in Guatemala, and nigrofasciata describes its black bands.
- Scientific name
- Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Günther, 1867)
- Classification
- Cichliformes › Cichlidae
- IUCN Red List
- Data deficient (DD)
Natural habitat
Central America: Pacific and Atlantic slopes of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras; introduced elsewhere
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in very varied habitats, from streams and flowing rivers to ponds and lakes, always close to cover: rock crevices, roots or debris.
Behaviour
Hardy and easy to breed, it is nevertheless not a community fish: aggressive and territorial, it turns violent when breeding and attacks much larger fish. Keep it as a pair on its own, or in a very large tank with robust Central American cichlids. It accepts all foods.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth