CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi.
I'm thinking of buying a couple of convicts (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) and I have a few questions. Are they a good first cichlid, are they hard to breed, how big tank do they need (would 20 gallons be enough)? Do they have any special requirements about water (pH, kH, gH)? Thank you.

I have convicts....I got them to help cycle a new tank....they are hardy fish, but very nippy and high strung, won't do well with almost anything else in the tank (mine won't even leave the pleco alone). They breed like rabbits and are very good parents, with a new batch of babies every 4-5 weeks. They love to redecorate the tank, uprooting plants and moving the gravel around. They like the rocks and caves, and will usually lay their eggs under rocks or in a cave. I never see the eggs, just the babies after they hatch. A breeding pair won't tolerate anyone else in the tank, they will even nip at me if I am cleaning the gravel!

you dont breed convicts. they breed themselves. water changes will trigger spawning.