Home New World Cichlids Convict Cichlids Pink Convict Cichlid
Pink Convict Cichlid
(Archocentrus nigrofasciatus)
• Care Level: Easy • Temperament: Aggressive • Maximum Size: 6"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons • Water Conditions: 74-84° F, pH 6.5-8.0, KH 9-20
• Diet: Omnivore • Origin: Central America • Family: Cichlidae
• Species: Convicts • Aquarium Type: New World Cichlid Aquarium
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Species Information
Pink Convict Cichlid native habitat, distribution, behavior & aquarium compatibility.
The pseudo-albino version of Archocentrus nigrofasciatus (Black Convict Cichlid), is known as the Pink Convict Cichlid. The Pink Convict Cichlid is a tough little species that originates in Central America.
They are very popular in the hobby as they are great for beginners and extremely easy to breed; they can also survive with much larger and more aggressive Cichlids. Pink Convicts have a monochromatic base color of pink. During breeding, the female will have iridescent, gold tinted scales on her lower body and dorsal fin.
A male has longer anal and dorsal fins and as it matures, the male Pink Convict will develop a nuchal hump on its head and will grow out to be much larger than a female.
Aquarium Care
How to successfully keep Pink Convict Cichlid in the home aquarium.
Pink Convicts require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons and should be provided with multiple places where they can find shelter (driftwood, rock structures, or dense vegetation). Pink Convicts will dig in the substrate, which may uproot live plants that don't have well establish root systems or are not potted.
Pink Convicts are one of the most aggressive Cichlid species and tank mates should be considered carefully and should be as large as or larger than the resident Convict(s).
Feeding & Nutrition
How to properly feed Pink Convict Cichlid and provide a healthy diet.
The Pink Convict is an omnivore and should be fed a variety of foods, such as frozen or freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, blackworms, krill, flake food, and Cichlid pellets. Pink Convicts will also accept live brine shrimp, guppies, ghost shrimp, bloodworms, mealworms, and blackworms.
Breeding Information
How to successfully breed Pink Convict Cichlid in the aquarium environment.
Pink Convicts are egg laying, cave-breeders that practice brood care; a breeding pair of Pink Convicts will aggressively attack anything that comes near their breeding territory. Although Pink Convicts usually breed extremely easily under normal aquarium conditions; to induce breeding the water temperature can be raised to and maintained at 86° F.
The female Pink Convict will dig a pit in the substrate or will find a dark cave-like place to lay around 300 eggs. The eggs will hatch in 2-3 days and the fry should be swimming around within a week. A pair of Pink Convicts will continue to breed every few weeks if the fry are constantly removed shortly after they hatch.
The newly hatched fry can be fed a diet of baby brine shrimp or crushed flake food and then be moved to other foods as they mature. If the fry are left in the aquarium too long, the female Pink Convict will sometimes eat the fry, which will compel the male Pink Convict to viscously attack the female, eventually killing her if she is not able to stay hidden.
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