Convict Cichlids
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
Bring bold personality and striking patterns to your aquarium with the Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) - a hardy, easy-to-care-for freshwater fish perfect for hobbyists who love active and intelligent species. Known for their signature black vertical stripes and fearless attitude, Convict Cichlids are a favorite among cichlid keepers for their vibrant behavior and breeding ease.
These fish are extremely hardy, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced aquarists. Males grow up to 6 inches, while females reach around 4.5 inches, often showing a blush of orange on their bellies. They thrive in tanks with rocks, caves, and open swimming space, and do best with robust tank mates or in a species-only setup due to their territorial nature, especially during breeding.
Whether you're looking to start a breeding project or simply want an interactive fish that recognizes its owner, the Convict Cichlid is a rewarding choice. Available in classic striped, albino, or pink varieties, they add bold energy and contrast to any freshwater setup.
At Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Convict Cichlids for sale and other Cichlid Fish for sale are tank-bred, grown, and sold with love and care. Visit our fish store online or aquarium in Virginia for more high-quality freshwater fish for sale. We have a lot more fish available, such as betta fish for sale, aquatic plants for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, freshwater snails for sale, and other aquarium supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH:
- Big Personality in a Small Package: Convict Cichlids are feisty, intelligent, and interactive. They often recognize their owners and will come up to the glass during feeding or tank visits. Their bold behavior makes them fun to watch and rewarding to keep.
- Super Easy Breeding: Once paired, they will clean a spawning site, lay eggs, and guard their fry fiercely. You can expect to see strong parental care and lots of baby fish.
- Territorial and Aggressive Behavior: Convicts are territorial, especially during breeding. You should expect them to chase or nip at tank mates if space is limited. It’s best to keep them in a species-only tank or with other tough, semi-aggressive cichlids.
- Strong and Hardy Fish: They tolerate a wide range of water conditions and are very forgiving of minor mistakes, making them perfect for intermediate-level hobbyists or beginners who want to learn about cichlid care.
- Striking Appearance: With their bold black stripes and color variants like pink or albino, Convict Cichlids add a strong visual contrast to your tank.
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Temperature: 74 - 82°F (23 - 28°C)
- pH Range: 6.5 - 8.0
- Hardness: 6 - 20 dGH (moderately soft to hard)
- Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum for a pair. Go larger (40 - 55+ gallons) if keeping multiple or breeding pairs.
- Lighting: Moderate
- Filtration: Strong filtration with good water flow. Convicts are messy eaters; use a reliable filter to keep water clean.
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Convict Cichlids are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and protein-based foods. For the best health and coloration, give them a varied diet. Some recommended foods Include High-Quality fish flakes or pellets, Blanched vegetables, and Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia.
- Feeding habits: Feed them 1 - 2 times a day, offering only what they can finish in about 2 - 3 minutes. They’re eager eaters and may rush to the surface at feeding time.
- Social behavior: Convict Cichlids are territorial and semi-aggressive, especially during breeding. Best kept as a bonded pair in a tank with space and hiding spots.
- Origin: Native to Central America, especially in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
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Average adult size:
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Males: Up to 6 inches (15 cm), often with longer fins and more aggressive behavior
- Females: Up to 4.5 inches (11 cm), usually rounder and smaller, with a distinct orange patch on the belly, especially when breeding
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Males: Up to 6 inches (15 cm), often with longer fins and more aggressive behavior
Convict Cichlids Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Convict Cichlids aggressive?
Yes, Convict Cichlids are naturally aggressive and territorial. If you plan to keep them with tank mates, choose other similarly sized, semi-aggressive species and provide plenty of hiding spots and space to reduce conflict.
How long for Convict Cichlids' eggs to hatch?
Convict Cichlid eggs typically hatch within 2 to 3 days after being laid. After hatching, the fry will stay close to the spawning site (often guarded in a cave or under a rock) for a few more days before becoming free-swimming. Parents are usually very attentive and protective, caring for the fry even after hatching.
Why are my Convict Cichlids hiding?
There are some reasons:
- Breeding behavior: they may be guarding eggs or fry in a cave or secluded area.
- Stress: caused by poor water conditions, new tank setup, or aggressive tank mates.
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Lack of security: without enough hiding spots (rocks, caves), they may feel unsafe and stay out of sight.
