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Etymology: nigro(L.): Black. fasciatus(L.): Stripes; with black stripes.

Synonyms: Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, Heros nigrofasciatus, Astronotus nigrofasciatum.

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Percoidae Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily:

First European import: Germany, 1934, by J. P. Arnold.

Description: See pictures.

Care: Convict cichlids are aggressiv fish, and as such do not belong in a community tank. They are best kept in pairs in species tanks, or together with other large robust fish. Create hideouts for the fish using stones and driftwood, most plants are eaten but Javafern may be an option.

Temperature:20-25°C

Feeding: Omnivorous, Live, frozen and flake food is accepted. Requires plant matter to be part of the diet!

Size: Up to 15 cm.

pH: 6.0-7.5

Breeding: Easy. The fish will spawn , regardless of the watertype. All that is necessary to get them to spawn is a suitable pair, which is well fed, and proper hideouts for the female to endure the males advances.

Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger and have longer fins. Fully grown males show a on the head.

Prices:3-4€

Additional: Several breeding forms exist. The fish are quite popular, although they are not a nice fish to keep. The reason why they are so popular may be the hardiness of the fish, combined with the easy reproduction, and the appealing common name.

Picture references:All pictures: E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)

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