URL : http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=228

The Convict cichlid has gained a bad reputation for being an aggressive thug. Some of this might be true, but as Matt Clarke says, it's still a lovely fish to keep and breed.

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Common name: Convict cichlid
Scientific name:Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus (formerly Archocentrus nigrofasciatus and Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum)
Pronounced: Krip-toe-hear-ross
ny-grow-fass-eye-ate-uss
Origin: Central America: Guatemala, El Salvadore, Costa Rica and Panama.
Size: 15cm/6" full-grown males; females around 10cm/4"
Habitat: Lives in lakes and rivers.
Diet: Omnivorous feeders, so provide a selection of live, frozen and flake foods plus a vegetable component, frozen/live brineshrimp, bloodworms.
Temperament: These fish have a reputation for aggressive behaviour that is to some extent deserved - they have been known to herd larger fish to the other end of the tank and
even kill them, especially during breeding. Not really a suitable community fish, and best kept in
a species aquarium.
Stocking: Buy a sexed pair, or grow on a group of young fish in a larger tank. Each pair needs a large territory.
Aquarium: A fairly large tank (90cm/36" or more) with rocks and wood for cover, and some open space. If more than one pair are to be kept, ensure the tank is big enough to allow them to have adequate territories. They should not be crowded like Malawian mbuna. May eat plants and dig pits.
Water parameters: pH 6.5-8.0, 20-25°C/68-77°F, GH 9-20°.
Sexing: Males are noticeably larger with darker stripes and longer fins. Fully mature males sometimes develop a nuchal hump. Females are smaller and rounder and often have coloured markings on the flanks.
Breeding: These fish breed very readily and produce large broods. The male and female will pair off after performing a mating dance. Both parents will usually dig a depression in the gravel around their chosen nest site, which is usually a small cave (a flowerpot is ideal). They will vigorously defend their territory against other fishes, driving them to the opposite side of the tank. They make excellent parents and sometimes bury newborn fry when they are threatened, so don't be alarmed if they go missing for a day. During and after breeding, the female will have a yellowish underside to attract the brood. Fry usually hatch in under a week and take another three to four days to consume their yolk sacs and become free-swimming. Do not feed them during this time. Once swimming on their own, they can be fed live microworms. They will also take fry powder foods and then eventually graduate to flake food. Unfortunately, there is not a ready market for young Convicts...
Alternatives: Specialist cichlid suppliers can usually get hold of several Cryptoheros species, including C. spilurus, C. "cutteri", C. sajica and C. septemfasciatus. All have similar requirements to the Convict and make an interesting breeding project for the newcomer to Centrals. Look out for the rarer C. nanoluteus, C. altoflavus and C. myrnae at the bigger cichlid outlets, but be prepared to pay much more for the privilege. You may as well purchase one of the expensive ones, as the market for common types is limited.
Price: Due to their prolific breeding habitats prices start at 50p for a baby.

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