Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata is widely distributed across Central America from Guatemala to Panama, inhabiting rocky streams, rivers, and lakes at a wide range of altitudes and temperatures. Bold vertical black bars on a grey body give the fish its distinctive 'prison uniform' appearance. It is famously hardy and easy to breed — a spawning pair will fill even a modest aquarium with fry in short order. Despite its small size, it is disproportionately aggressive during reproduction.

Water: 20–28°C, pH 6.5–8.0, wide hardness tolerance (GH 5–20). Tank: 120L minimum; provide caves, rocks, and hardy plants; substrate-spawning is prolific. Feeding: Omnivore; accepts virtually any food — pellets, flakes, frozen items, and vegetable matter. Behaviour: Semi-aggressive; breeding pairs are extremely territorial and will attack much larger fish. Compatibility: Best kept as a pair in a species tank or with large, fast-moving dither fish in bigger tanks.