Freshwater

Figure 8-9:
Convicts
should be
kept in their
own
species
tank.
Chapter 8: Finding Your Species
Oscars can live a very long time. There are reports of them surviving over 25
years in captivity.
Convict (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum)
If you want to impress your friends with your breeding abilities, the convict
cichlid (Figure 8-9) is the fish for you. This hardy cichlid would breed in a
puddle of water during an earthquake if given half a chance. Rabbits can’t
hold a candle to convicts. Both parents care for their young. The convict is
aggressive, swims in the middle to lower sections of the aquarium, is carnivorous,
and should be kept in a well-planted species tank (tanks that only contain
fish of the same species).
The convict gets its name from the vertical black and white stripes on its
body that resemble the prison uniforms you see in old movies. This fish is
constantly alert, quick, and very territorial. Pink convicts are another, quite
beautiful variety.
Convicts will eat any fish food offered to them. They should be kept in a tank
that has plenty of caves for breeding and hiding and has a water temperature
of 68–75 degrees F. This species should only be kept with other fish of similar
size and bad-boy attitude.
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