Convict cichlids are very easy to keep and breed which makes him ideal for beginners.

The convict cichlid known as well as a zebra cichlid, this fish got his name due to the black

stripes on its gray or blue flanks. 

There are several colors variants to the convict cichlid such as pink variant called a pink convict or

an albino variant, there is also o.b variant. 

The fish ability to adapt makes him so easy to keep and breed.

Convict cichlid can tolerate extreme water changes, In order to breed the fish he will

need 30 gallon tank for a pair. To breed convict cichlid you should setup them their own tank,

these fish can be aggressive towards other fish, while in breed process their Aggressive increase. 

Oscars, firemouth and severum can be suitable tank mates for the convicts but avoid populate small,

timid, sensitive fish with them. 

If you choose to keep a pair alone you can add some flat stones and a cave to the tank,

plants such as Amazonian sword or anubias can added too, other plants will be destroyed and

eaten by the convicts, those steps are for you to enjoy your tank but to be honest the Convicts

will thrive even in an empty tank with out no decoration. 

Although they can tolerate very wide temperature range and PH level range they will prefer

temperature of 70-84F range and PH 6-8. 

Convict cichlid are very easy to feed also, they defined as omnivore fish, the phrase

omnivore refers to their nutrition they will accept almost any flakes or pellets you will give them. 

I breed convicts in 20 gallon tank with 2-3 flat stones, the convicts dig under the stones and make

it their own cave, they laid eggs in this Cave and guard the area. 

                                                          male guard spawning site

To encourage them to breed I perform water changes 2-3 times a week and feed them 3-4 times

a day included live food such as worms and mosquitoes. 

Sometimes they prefer laying eggs on the stone itself, convicts are very good parents that

guard eggs and fry together.

Eggs hatches after 5-7 days in this time the white eggs became to brown fertilized eggs. 

                                                                       fry with female

I use to feed the fry with fry food, crushed flake and pellet food and with newly hatched brine shrimp. 

                                                                 free-swimming fry

Good luck with your convicts breeding….