PisciDex Species Profile
Convict Cichlid
Tough Central American cichlid famous for pair bonding and prolific breeding, but too territorial for ordinary community aquariums.
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Cichlidae | Central America | Guatemala to Costa Rica and Honduras to Panama
Core Requirements
Tank Size
30 gallons minimum
Adult Size
6 inches
Group Size
Pair/group 2+
Bioload
4/10
Water Parameters
Temperature
75-82 F
pH
6.6-7.8
Plant Safe
No
Invert Safe
No
Data Confidence
medium
Temperature note: Recommended and tolerated temperature ranges currently match the primary care profile.
Care Warnings
- Highly territorial when breeding and can injure peaceful tankmates.
Behavior & Husbandry
Temperament
Aggressive
Aggression
8/10
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Intermediate
Lifespan
10 years
Breeding
Easy
Schooling
No
Compatibility Tags
AggressiveTerritorialMid WaterRockwork Preferred
Similar Species
Species Compatibility
Database-driven compatibility notes for planning community aquariums.