Convict cichlid
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Description
Convict cichlid, also known as zebra cichlid, is an American cichlid quite aggressive that does not adapt well to living in community aquariums. This aggressive tone up in the breeding season, so that should not value these fish for an aquarium in which they have to share space closely with other fish. Otherwise, is a fish quite resistant to different water conditions, making it a suitable acquisition for aquarists without much experience, but who they want to start a cichlid aquarium.
Morphology
They are fish in the aquarium not usually exceed 15 centimeters in length. It is possible to distinguish females from males (sexual dimorphism), by their dorsal and anal fins elongated, in the male presents a more pointed training. Females are also somewhat smaller, usually not exceeding the 10 centimeters in length. The females copies, also they differ from males, because the belly is orange.
Coloration
Young specimens of the Convict cichlid They have a graying, and presented to 10 dark bands that vertically through the body, with age and eventually disappear completely. As a curiosity, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum sometimes mutates, in which the fry do not get to have their typical stripes, but always remain a beige pink coloration I. Is Albina mutation, It is known as White Zebra cichlid and it has a uniform coloration, except for his eyes completely black.
Distribution and habitat
- Easytest with 50 test strips water.
- Strips for analysis 6 important water values in 1 minute.
- nitrites (NO2) Zero to 10 mg / l.
- Mide el pH de 6,four a 9,zero.
You can find Convict cichlid in much of Central America, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Pure habitat includes rivers and lakes, Zebra cichlids are even in springs.
Aquarium conditions
It takes an aquarium of at least one the hundred fifty liters, to care for one couple. Too They need a good supply of decor, with stones, trunks and roots that serve them hiding and to help them define their territories. They are fish that need an aquarium bottom enviornment, as, during the breeding season males tend to dig nests, where they lay eggs and fry protect newborns. As for the aquarium plants, They are not very respectful to them. As they like to dig, They are able to unearth. For these cases it is better to look for plants that do not need to be anchored to the substrate, even they are floating, how duckweed. The ideal water conditions are:
- pH: 6.5 a 8
- Temperature: between 22 and 27 ° C
- gH: 10º a 20º
In the aquarium like taking them middle and near the bottom areas.
Feeding
Zebra cichlid are omnivorous, willingly accept all kinds of dry food: flakes, sticks, frozen and of course, live food, like artemias. It is recommended to give them a varied diet, to present a more attractive coloring.
Behavior
They are aggressive and territorial fish, not recommended for a community tank. There are other more peaceful cichlids, but if we place them in the company of other specimens, we must ensure that they have enough space, so they can mark their territory. During the breeding season become even more territorial, not letting any fish approaches its nest and their young.
compatible with cichlid fish Convict
I said, in aquarium with enough space you can live with:
Reproduction
They are fish that They reproduce easily reach as 5 O 6 centimeters in length. At the time of arriving Spawn, the male chooses a place in the aquarium where it makes a nest, digging in the sand. After the sunset, the couple takes turns to not let any fish comes near the nest and their young. Once the fry appear, They can be fed infusoria and Artemia nauplii.
- The article is easy to install and use. Fairly dirty things from the bottom of your aquarium effectively. Support two sizes of pipe…
- Siphon tube supplied. Caudal 520 liters per hour.
- With this tool, You can remove dirt from the bottom of your aquarium. Supplied with two sizes of suction tube, It is suitable for…
- It can also be used as a water trap to change the water, or to empty your aquarium when connecting a hose to the outlet.
