Convict Cichlid

Distribution:
   The Convict Cichlid, also called the Pink Convict or Zebra Cichlid, was described by Günther in 1867. They are found in Central America on the Pacific slope from Costa Rica to Guatemala and on the Atlantic slope from Honduras to Panama. The rivers they inhabit are the Tarcoles, Aguan River, and Guarumo River. They like waters that are flowing from smaller streams to larger fast flowing rivers. There they dwell among the shallow rocky areas where they hide in cracks and crevices, feeding on worms, insects, fish, crustaceans and plants. They can also be found in the warm pools of springs.

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Convict Cichlid has a blue-gray, cream, or blue-lavendar base on the body with 8 to 9 dark bands that run vertically. They have a break in the vertical bands in the area behind their head, almost forming a “U” shape. The fins are clearish to light yellow. With in-line breeding there are now several color varieties, and some of the cream and “pink” varieties lack the vertical bars.

Pink Convict behind a rock Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   All cichlids share a common feature that some saltwater fish such as wrasses and parrotfish have and that is a well-developed pharyngeal set of teeth that are in the throat, along with their regular teeth. Cichlids have spiny rays in the back parts of the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins to help discourage predators. The front part of these fins are soft and perfect for precise positions and effortless movements in the water as opposed to fast swimming.
   Cichlids have one nostril on each side while other fish have 2 sets. To sense “smells” in the water, they suck water in and expel the water right back out after being “sampled” for a short or longer time, depending on how much the cichlid needs to “smell” the water. This feature is shared by saltwater damselfish and cichlids are thought to be closely related.

Size - Weight:
   Male Convict Cichlids grow to a length of 5 - 6” (13 -15 cm), with females reaching 3 - 4" (8 -10 cm).

Care and feeding:
   The Convict Cichlid is an omnivore that can be fed any foods for omnivorous cichlids, vegetable based foods with spirulina, blanched lettuce or other veggies, beef heart and worms. Feed 2 to 5 small pinches of food a day in smaller amounts instead of a large quantity once a day. This will keep the water quality higher over a longer time. All fish benefit from vitamins and supplements added to their foods.
   A pair can be put in a 20 gallon tank, but it is not suggested that they be in a tank that small once they become full grown. A full grown pair will survive and get along in a 50 gallon tank much better. They do fine with good water movement and efficient filtration. They like a warm tank and can tolerant a wide range of pH, pretty much anywhere from 6.0 to 8.0, though it needs to be kept reasonably consistent.
   The Convict Cichlid is a rewarding specimen for the aquarist as it is easy to keep. Provide a sandy substrate with rocks, roots, and pieces of driftwood. They also enjoy plants, especially floating plants to help subdue the light. They will re-arrange the aquarium so make sure substrate plants are anchored down. Normal aquarium lighting works fine if there are floating plants, and low to moderate lighting if no plants. Do water changes of 15-20% every 2 weeks to a month, depending on stocking numbers.
   They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish. One common problem is Ich. It can be treated with the elevation of the tank temperature to 86° F (30° C) for 3 days. If that does not cure the Ich, then the fish needs to be treated with copper (remove any water conditioners). Several copper based fish medications are available for Ich. Copper use must be kept within the proper levels, so be sure to follow the manufacturers suggestions. A copper test also can be used to keep the proper levels. You can also combine increasing the temperature with an Ich medication treatment. Intestinal disease can be treated with metronidazol.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and bottom areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
  They like a warm tank and can tolerant a wide range of pH, pretty much anywhere from 6.0 to 8.0, though it needs to be kept reasonably consistent.
   Hardness: 7 - 9° dH (they prefer soft to mildly hard water)
   Ph: 6.0 - 8.0
   Temp: 74 -82° F (23 - 28° C)

Social Behaviors:
   The Convict Cichlid is an aggressive cichlid that can only be kept with larger fish that have the same temperament. The Blue Acara, Rainbow Cichlid, Jack Dempsey, and Green Terror are the type of fish they won’t terrorize to death. Do not house with fish that are only just semi-aggressive or fish large enough to swallow them whole. Once they are mating they will kill anything in the tank if they can. They have been known to beat up large plecostomus and Oscars 3 times larger than themselves!
   This fish can be kept alone, resulting in a slightly skittish and more mellow fish, or as a male and female pair. They are generally aggressive toward those of the same species especially when mating.

Sexual Differences:
   Males are larger, but not as brilliant in color as the females. They develop longer, pointed anal and dorsal fins as they get older like most male cichlids. The females have orange in their belly and dorsal fins.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Convict Cichlids are cave spawners. They will readily bred in captivity and are one of the best cichlid parents around. One author's very descriptive remark is that to breed them you "just add fish and water". A group of juveniles will result in a pair being formed, leaving the remaining fish cowering in the corner if the tank is small.
   The pair will shake their heads at each other in a little pre-spawning dance. The male will position himself vertically and change to darker, more vivid shades of color. The female will do the same dance and flare up. They will then clean an area, then dig a depression in the substrate around a rock, flower pot, or cave. The female will lay about 20-40 eggs on the inside top of the cave or flowerpot and the male will follow her up and fertilize them. This will continue until there are 100-300 eggs, depending on the maturity of the female. She will fan the eggs while dad keeps an eye on the nest.
   Depending on temperature and pH, the young hatch in about 48 to 72 hours. Within another 6-8 days they are free swimming and can be fed powdered (crushed) flake, daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and /or pellet food for omnivorous cichlids. They may be moved up to flake at about 3 weeks. The female helps out by stirring up the sand with her belly to expose food that has settled at the bottom, or by chewing up food that is too large and spitting it into the water for the young to eat. The parents also have a mucus like secretion that is a supplementary “food” on their bodies that the fry will eat.
   The parents defend their babies at all cost and will push tank mates to the other side of the tank. If they feel their young are threatened, then they will actually bury them in the sand. They will retrieve any fry that stray from the nest and the male will viciously guard them to the death.
   You can remove them after a few weeks if you plan to raise them, allowing the breeding process to start again. If you do not remove them the female sometimes will eat the young. This will result in the male attacking the female to the point where you may have to remove her or put in a divider. The young are ready to breed within a year. See more about cichlid breeding in: Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Buy Convict Cichlid From LiveAquaria.com

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Availability:
   The Convict Cichlid, also called the Pink Convict or Zebra Cichlid, is readily available both in fish stores and online. They range from about $2.00 to $5.00 USD, depending on size.

Author: Carrie McBirney
Additional Information: Clarice Brough, CFS