Standard colour and white form. Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics
Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Convict cichlid, Zebra cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Amatitlania nigrofasciata |
| Synonyms: | Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, Heros nigrofasciatus (all non-valid) |
| Size: | Up to 6" (15cm), females smaller |
| Origin: | Central America |
| Tank setup: | A fairly large tank with rocks and wood for cover, and some open space. |
| Compatibility: | Aggressive, large robust tankmates only. |
| Temperature: | 20-25oC (68-77oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Not critical - pH 6.5-8.0, medium hard |
| Feeding: | Omnivorous: Pellet, granular or flake foods along with frozen/live foods, plus a vegetable component. |
| Sexing: | Males are noticeably larger and have longer fins, they also develop
a fatty lump on the forehead as they mature. |
| Breeding: | Pairs spawn readily after selecting and cleaning a suitable site.
The eggs and fry will be guarded by the parents. |
| Comments: |
This can be a belligerent fish, and is not suitable for the general community tank. It should
only be kept with equally robust species, or in a species tank. Only tough (or artificial) plants should be
included in the tank.
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