Convict Cichlid

Overview

Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is a freshwater aquarium fish for aquariums where the layout leaves enough swimming room and the water stays stable.

Use these values as planning checks, then make sure the aquarium still has room for behavior, group needs, and calm community fish.

Care requirements

With a Intermediate care level, Convict Cichlid is best for aquarists who can keep water quality steady and plan compatibility before adding the fish.

With a lifespan of up to 10 years, this is a fish to plan for long term rather than an impulse addition.

Aquarium size and space needs

An aquarium of 200 L or larger can be a reasonable starting point, but it should not be read as permission to overstock.

At up to 15 cm, Convict Cichlid stays small, but it still needs room to move, feed, and avoid constant competition.

Water parameters

The temperature range for this fish is 26 to 28 °C, which fits many tropical freshwater aquariums. Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.

The pH range for this fish is 6 to 8. That points to a broad freshwater range, but stability is more important than sudden corrections.

The GH range for this fish is 6 to 8 dGH. That gives some flexibility, but sudden changes are usually more stressful than a stable value that is slightly imperfect.

Temperament and compatibility

Convict Cichlid should be planned cautiously with compatible fish only, because aggressive temperament data raises the risk of conflict.

Feeding

As an omnivore, Convict Cichlid should receive a varied diet rather than one repeated food type.

Before adding this fish

Use this checklist before treating the profile as a match for an existing aquarium.

• Plan for an aquarium of 200 L or larger.
• Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.
• Keep pH stable within the listed range instead of making sudden corrections.
• Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
• Offer a varied diet that matches this species.