Once you have the general layout of your aquarium ready, simply crank up the water temperature a bit. Convict cichlids have average-sized ventral and pectoral fins that are fairly see-through. Males grow larger than females. For successful breeding all you need is a male and female, but if spawning happens in a community tank – it’s a trouble for all its inhabitants. You’ll also learn some nifty facts about this species that will make you a more informed owner! The extra space will go a long way when it comes to keeping these fish happy. Fish that happily eat anything can be prone to overfeeding. The next couple of sections will cover the basics of setting up a suitable habitat for them so they’ll be healthy and not tempted to rumble all the time. Origin: Parrot Cichlids are hybrids of Cichlids named Paraneetroplus synspilus and Amphilophus citrinellus , which are both native to Central After the eggs have been fertilized the pair will diligently protect the eggs. It might be a change in behavior (like malaise or disinterest in eating) or something visible on their body. Still a super cool Cichlid though. The convict cichlid parents will flat-out attack any other fish that wanders too close! The coloration can vary based on age, gender, and type, but we’ll speak to the standard convict cichlid variation that most people know about. Community tanks do come with some element of risk with this fish even if you pair them with recommended species. Quite often you may encounter pink convict cichlid – its body is pinkish and yellow, the eyes are dark colored. As far as their general activity level goes, this species loves to move. Convict cichlids are so easy to breed they Including them will help your fish feel comfortable and give them places to hide and get their own space (this is also useful for managing aggression). Their caudal fin is partially transparent and average in size. While they do spend a lot of their time in the middle of the tank, convict cichlids will often check out the substrate and even do some digging. Lifespan : 8 - 10 years, maybe slightly longer. It’s better to keep the fish alone or with other Central America cichlid species in a very spacious tank. Usually, their black stripes will continue into the dorsal fin a bit too. Oct 21, 2018 - Black Convict Cichlid Central and South American cichlids range from rare atramaculatus to common blue acara, though common is not a fair word for this uncommonly peaceful pretty fish. Yet, all of the food is of high quality and it is the best one for this fish kind as well as it keeps the tank water clean. That’s why even in a spacious tank you should choose strong and proper sized tank mates (green terrors, jewel cichlids, firemouth cichlids, blue acara). Despite their potential to be aggressive freshwater fish, you do have some options when it comes to convict cichlid tank mates. To prevent tank pollution with feed leftovers, feed twice a day with small portions of food. If you'd like to embark on the process of breeding Convict cichlids, you'll first want to make sure that you're up for the challenge.I've cared for many different breeding pairs of Convicts throughout my years as a fish keeper and have experienced firsthand the joys and woes to breeding this unique cichlid. 2-3 days later, when the juveniles are without their yolk sac already, they start swimming around the tank carefully guarded by their parents. When it comes to convict cichlid care there aren’t any diseases that go after this species specifically. Convict Cichlid Size Difference Between Male and Female. Convict cichlid prefers slow flow waters with rocky bottom. Aquarium Fish Sale imports as many as we can to provide a broad selection for our aquarists. Author Note: This will impact their lifespan and general health as well. Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is one of the most spread and the least demanding cichlid fishes. It has a very interesting feature – how the couple takes care of its juveniles, a process which is rather exciting to observe. The convict cichlid is one of the most popular species of cichlid you can find. Because these fish are the opposite of picky eaters, beginners assume you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to their diet. Male is much larger than a female, its anal and dorsal fins are elongated. These fish usually have around eight of these bars, but this number can be slightly higher or lower depending on genetic components. Author Note: Another factor that can influence the lifespan of convict cichlids is their genetics. You may put some tank plants, but these should be some tolerant and strong kinds, since the fish often digs tank bottom substrate and moves it, so some small and tender plants may be dug out completely. 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