Is a convict cichlid an African cichlid?

What does a convict cichlid look like?

The convict cichlids are colorfully striped. While they can be found in a huge range of colors and contrasts, female fish are rather brighter than the male of the species. The female species are about 5 cm long, while the males measure up to 6.5 cm.

Are cichlid fish aggressive?

The cichlid fish are known for being aggressive and territorial, and the convict cichlids are no different. Environmental factors play a great role in their changing behavior patterns. Since they usually breed in higher temperatures, they tend to demonstrate territorial behavior, in order to protect their eggs.

How often do cichlid fish breed?

While the breeding period for female convict fish lasts about once per season, the fish in aquariums can breed after every 13 to 15 days, provided that they have suitable environmental conditions available. Breeding convict cichlid fish is as easy as it gets!

Can convict cichlid live with other fish?

As a small-sized fish, Convict Cichlid can be kept easily, they don’t require much tank space. It is recommended to choose wisely their tank mates, due to their aggressive and territorial nature. Going for other fish members of the Cichlid family is the best option.

What color are convict cichlids?

While the bars that cover the body of convict cichlids are black, the rest of the body is a greyish-blue. The hue of this color can vary slightly, but it’s usually rather consistent. Some buyers think they’re getting a different color convict cichlid when in fact it’s just the tank lighting playing tricks on them!

What is the difference between a male and female convict cichlid?

The male Convict Cichlid tends to be larger than the female Convict Cichlid, but the female will be more colorful. Also a steeper forehead is another difference that male Convicts have, and they develop longer pointed anal and dorsal fins.

Is the convict cichlid difficult to take care of?

The convict cichlid is an aggressive and territorial fish. It is not very easy to get them to play well with a lot of other fish species in the tank. While it is not difficult to take care of the species in and of itself, there are some considerations you need to take in order to make sure that they are properly cared for.

What do cichlids look like when you buy them?

The bars are one of the most important things that sellers look for with these fish, so if you’re making a purchase from a reputable party the fish you buy will likely have plenty of well-defined stripes. While the bars that cover the body of convict cichlids are black, the rest of the body is a greyish-blue.

How long does it take for cichlids to reproduce?

The cichlids can also reproduce before six weeks, depending on the incubating process. After the female cichlid lays the eggs, the male fertilizes them, and she carries the eggs in her mouth for incubation. This process will take up to 2 to 3 weeks before the fry hatch.

Are cichlids easy to breed?

Cichlids are one of the largest family of freshwater fishes, containing over 2,000 different species. Not only are these fish colorful and entertaining, but they are also relatively easy to breed in captivity – some breed readily with little to no effort on the part of the aquarium hobbyist!

How often do African cichlids breed?

They can hold eggs in their mouth for 21 to 36 days till the eggs hatch. They can also keep the babies in their mouth for two weeks before letting them out. African cichlids can breed every six weeks if you feed them well. There are also other factors that can affect how often they can breed.

Do cichlids mate immediately after a water change?

? Many cichlids cannot resist mating after a water change. Lower the water and let the filter splash into it for 30-45 minutes. Then refill the aquarium will water that is slightly cooler than the tank water (2-3 degree F). This simulates a rain and your cichlids will often start mating right away.

Can convicts and Jewel cichlids live together?

Unlike the other fish on this list, the odds of convicts and jewel cichlids being kept together is highly dependent on several factors. First, the aquarium must be set up to provide several ‘territories’, which the fish can claim as their own. This can be done by placing live plants and rocks to create breaks in the line of sight.

What are the best tank mates for convict cichlids?

The best tank mates to have around convict cichlids are schooling species or fish of similar size and aggressive temperament. Some good examples include Jack Dempsey fish, giant danios, and rainbow fish. Convict cichlids tend to keep to their own territory within the tank, so it makes sense to keep other fish that are territorial as well.

How many stripes does a convict cichlid have?

Convict cichlids have around 9 vertical stripes of black against a lighter-colored tone and that is what makes them look like convicts. The color intensity of the fish varies and you can find many of them with a pinkish hue.

What do you need to know about convict cichlids?

The convict cichlid gets its name from the vertical black and white stripes on its body. In this article, we will talk through all you need to know about keeping them including dietary needs, ideal tank mates, tank setup, pink and white color varieties, how to control its aggression, and much more. Is the Convict Cichlid Right for Your Aquarium?

How big of a tank does a convict cichlid need?

Our recommended minimum tank size for convict cichlids is 30 gallons. Some aquarists say you can get away with tanks as small as 20 gallons, but we disagree. The extra space will go a long way when it comes to keeping these fish happy. Territorial fish that are prone to aggression tend to behave significantly worse in small aquariums.

How do you tell if a convict cichlid is male or female?

When the females reach breeding maturity, the belly of the fish will take on red hue, making sexing quite easy in mature convict cichlid fish. Housing Convict cichlids can be a messy fish, and should generally be housed in a spacious, species only tank.

Do convicts attack cichlids?

A pair of breeding convicts will terrorize any tank that they are housed in, and will viciously attack anything that comes near their nest. It’s not unusual to see a breeding pair of cichlids take on a much larger fish, and some have been known to attack fish nearly twice their size.

Are convict cichlids Happy Happy Fish?

Happy fish = healthy fish! The convict cichlid is a very hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. This makes caring for them a little bit easier and gives you a little bit of flexibility when it comes to tank mates (more on that later).