−13%
Easy
Zebra Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)
22–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 114L
£5.21£5.99
The xanthistic Zebra (Convict) Cichlid is a hardy, peachy Central American cichlid that breeds readily.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum xant.
Zebra Cichlid xant. bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
The xanthistic Zebra (Convict) Cichlid is a hardy, peachy Central American cichlid that breeds readily.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The xanthistic Zebra Cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum xant.) is the pale colour form of the familiar Convict Cichlid, in which the species' dark barring gives way to a much lighter, peachy body. It keeps every bit of the standard convict's hardiness and bold character beneath that softer colouring, reaching around 10 cm and living up to eight years.
Tough and endlessly willing to breed, this is a fish that practically looks after itself on the husbandry front, so the real planning goes into managing its temperament. It is an aggressive cichlid that holds territory firmly and turns up the intensity when spawning, which makes a spacious tank of at least 113 litres with solid rockwork and caves essential. Keep the water between pH 6.0 and 8.0 with hardness anywhere from 0 to 20 dGH at 23-28°C; those broad tolerances are part of why it is rated easy to keep.
An undemanding omnivore, it forages confidently along the bottom of the tank and will happily rework the decor to suit itself. Given the right set-up and tank mates, the xanthistic convict is every bit as engaging as its barred cousin, just in a paler suit. Like the barred form, its parental instincts are powerful, and a spawning pair guards its territory fiercely, so the xanthistic convict suits keepers who enjoy bold cichlid behaviour. House it only with tank mates robust enough to share the space, give it solid rockwork and caves to claim, and plan around its territorial nature from the outset; in return you get a hardy, free-breeding fish with all the convict's character wrapped in an eye-catching pale colour form.
Choose companions with care: only large, robust fish in very spacious tanks, large armoured catfish, or other similarly aggressive Central American cichlids kept with caution. Do not house it with small community fish, slow-moving or long-finned species, shrimp and small invertebrates, or peaceful dwarf cichlids. Your xanthistic Zebra Cichlid is delivered by a licensed live-animal courier and protected by our live arrival guarantee.
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