Convict Cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus)

JakeJ

These fish are hardy and breed readily in the home aquarium. Convicts will lay their eggs on a hard surface like slate or a up turned plant pot. Unfortunatly they will readily uproot aquarium most plants.

finfan

convict's have a bad rep. for being aggressive, they are in fact not more aggressive than any other similar cichlids and can be very beautiful with very deep blue and black bands and bright red dots in the belly area on mature females (the picture here is a really bad specimen), they are very hardy and breed readily and are excellent parents, people don't think much of them because they are easily available, but i personally think they are every bit as interesting as any other cichlid or fish from a personality perspective and very beautiful if you get a the right specimen (pics here http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Amatitlania&species=nigrofasciat a++&id=187 are better than the one on here, but i've seen much better looking specimens), there is also a pink/white version of this fish, they don't have any bands, pure white males, females have the typical red specles when mature

Ashok

I had these few of these fish for about 3 years in a 55 gallon tank (not planted). These fish have character (like other cichlids) and can be quite stunning. The
"alpha" male I had subtle yet breathtaking coloration.

They quite peacefull and even a bit skittish until they have fry. Once they have them though, they do become very defensive and will take on anything of any size including your hand.

Once they start breeding, they will not stop. So be carefull what you wish for, if you are getting these to see fish babies.