Care
The Convict Cichlid is known from a variety of habitats, including small creeks and streams, to the shallows of large, fast-flowing rivers. Here they find sanctuary amongst submerged roots and the crevices of rocks, never straying too far from cover. The aquarium should be at least 4ft long for a single pair, with a much more spacious tank required for multiple specimens or if keeping with other cichlids. There should be plenty of hiding places amongst driftwood and rocky caves, and flower pots laid on their side are also much appreciated. If plants are desired, choose tough species such as Java Fern (Microsorum sp.) or Anubias sp. tied onto the wood, as plants rooted in the substrate will be dug up. Convict Cichlids are highly aggressive, especially when breeding, and are therefore best maintained in a species-only aquarium. They will think nothing of attacking fish several times larger than themselves, likely emerging victorious. However, some aquarists have kept them successfully with other robust Central American cichlids, but only in very large quarters with a plethora of visual barriers. Careful observation and a means of separating the fish may be necessary. A pink and a marbled form are sometimes available, in all forms the female is the more colourful - showing orange highlights and a metallic sheen to the dorsal fin area.
Feeding
Omnivorous and will accept most aquarium foods offered. Try to keep it varied with good quality carnivore and herbivore flakes, small sinking pellet foods, and a mixture of frozen foods such as white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis, and chopped prawns and cockles.
Breeding
Easy to breed. When ready to spawn, both fish will intensify in colour, with the female fish then cleaning her chosen spawning site. Following a courtship ritual, some 150 eggs will be laid/fertilised. The female then takes responsibility for tending to the eggs, whilst the male patrols the perimeter and vigorously protects them from intruders. The eggs should hatch within 3 days, and the wrigglers moved to a pre-dug pit in the substrate, where they will remain until the yolk sac is absorbed (usually a further 3 or 4 days). At this point, the free-swimming fry can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and crushed flake foods. The adult fish are excellent parents, with care continuing for several weeks.
