Convict cichlid size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 12 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).

Convict cichlid tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 90 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Convict cichlid water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 6.8–8.0, hardness 6–20 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Convict cichlid tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 28 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Swordtail, Freshwater angelfish, and Dwarf gourami.

Convict cichlid and plants: is it plant safe?

No, it may eat or uproot plants.

FreshwaterComing soon90 coinsCommon

Convict cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

It stands up to fish far larger and tears plants out by their roots.

The Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 12 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 90 cm long and water at 22–28 °C.

Size: 12 cm
Smallest tank: 90 cm
Temperature: 22–28 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature22–28 °C

pH6.8–8.0

Hardness6–20 °dGH

Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Eats plants

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres11 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres18 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres40 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres75 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres90 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along28 species

and 4 more species

Caution1 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Paradise fish

Not together70 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Very common

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusAmatitlania
SpeciesAmatitlania nigrofasciata

In other languages

German: Zebrabuntbarsch
Spanish: Mojarra convicto centroamericana
French: Cichlidé à bande
Italian: Ciclide strisce nere
Russian: Цихлазома чернополосая
Japanese: コンビクトシクリッド
Chinese: 黑帶嬌麗魚

Quick answers

Convict cichlid size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 12 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).
Convict cichlid tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 90 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Convict cichlid water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 6.8–8.0, hardness 6–20 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Convict cichlid tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 28 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Swordtail, Freshwater angelfish, and Dwarf gourami.
Convict cichlid: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Convict cichlid and plants: is it plant safe?: No, it may eat or uproot plants.