Quick answer: Keep a convict cichlid pair in a species-only tank at least 29 gallons and 80 centimeters long. Hold water near 78°F. Skip community tanks and 10-gallon kits.
FishBase lists a convict cichlid pair in an 80-centimeter tank, with 100 to 150 eggs per spawn.
This page is a Waterpuppy research briefing; we did not house a pair, run tank assays, or count eggs.
Selection rule. Our research team analyzed only species-only pair setups that can meet FishBase’s 80-centimeter length listing. We compared published specs from maker pages. We left out 10-gallon kits, community stocking charts, and African rift-lake mixes.
What a convict cichlid is
A convict cichlid is a small Central American cichlid that FishBase files as Amatitlania nigrofasciata.
FishBase lists a maximum standard length of 10.0 cm and a common total length of 8.5 cm.
That high end is about four inches, so this is not a giant cichlid, and it still needs floor length, not just gallons.
FishBase places the species on the Pacific and Atlantic slopes of Central America. The listed range runs from El Salvador and Guatemala to Honduras, and the page notes introductions elsewhere.
FishBase marks it a potential pest, so do not release aquarium fish into local water.
FishBase lists these wild-water numbers:
- pH 7.0 to 8.0
- Hardness (dH) 9 to 20
- Temperature 20°C to 36°C
- Diet of worms, crustaceans, insects, fish, and plant matter
The same record lists 17 to 19 dorsal spines, which is an ID trait, not a care step.
FishBase cites the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient, with an assessment date of 5 June 2019.
FishBase also lists a trophic level of 3.3, which matches an omnivore, not a plant-only eater.
The 80-centimeter pair rule for tank size
FishBase’s aquarium note is the length rule we use: keep them in pairs in a tank at least 80 cm long.
Eighty centimeters equals 31.5 inches, so short tanks fail that rule even when the gallon label looks large.
Aqueon’s Rectangle LED Kits page lists four sizes: 10, 20 High, 29, and 55 gallons. The same page prints the 10-gallon kit at 22.88 by 12.75 by 13.88 inches.
Our research team compared that 22.88-inch length with FishBase’s 80 cm pair minimum. That 22.88-inch length equals 58 cm, so the kit is 22 cm short.
We call that comparison the Waterpuppy Pair-Length Check. A 10-gallon kit fails it, and we do not cover that size for a pair.
The 29- and 55-gallon kits sit on the same Aqueon page. Use either only if the glass itself is at least 80 cm long. Measure the tank, not the box name.
Aqueon’s kit page also states a preset heater holds 78°F, which is 25.6°C. That value sits 5.6°C above FishBase’s 20°C floor and well below the 36°C ceiling.
Pick the tank in this order:
- Confirm length is at least 80 cm.
- Use 29 gallons or more for a pair.
- Keep the tank species-only.
- Add caves and rock cover before the fish go in.
A 55-gallon kit gives more floor for two territories. A 29-gallon kit is the smallest size we cover, and only if it clears 80 cm.
Gear we compared from maker pages
We compared published specs for kits, filters, heaters, and foods now sold on maker pages, and we did not rank them.
Aqueon’s Rectangle LED Kits page lists these parts in the box:
- Glass tank and LED hood
- QuietFlow filter and a preset heater
- Food sample, water conditioner sample, net, and thermometer
The filter is five-stage, and the heater is set at 78°F.
Tetra’s Whisper Power Filter page lists hang-on models by flow: the Whisper PF 40 at 210 GPH and the Whisper PF 60 at 330 GPH.
Comparing those flows with the kit volumes gives a simple turnover check:
- 210 GPH on a 29-gallon tank is 7.2 tank volumes per hour
- 330 GPH on a 55-gallon tank is 6.0 tank volumes per hour
Tetra’s HT heater page lists a constant 78°F thermostat. The HT40 is 150 watts for 30 to 40 gallons, and the HT55 is 200 watts for 40 to 55 gallons.
| Product | Role on the maker page | Listed spec | Pair-tank note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueon Rectangle LED Kit 29 | Boxed tank kit | 29 gallons; 78°F preset heater; 5-stage QuietFlow | Cover only if the glass is ≥80 cm |
| Aqueon Rectangle LED Kit 55 | Boxed tank kit | 55 gallons; 78°F preset heater; 5-stage QuietFlow | More floor than the 29-gallon kit |
| Tetra Whisper PF 40 | Hang-on filter | 210 GPH | 7.2× turnover on 29 gallons |
| Tetra Whisper PF 60 | Hang-on filter | 330 GPH | 6.0× turnover on 55 gallons |
| Tetra HT55 | Submersible heater | 200 watts; 40–55 gallons; 78°F | Matches the 55-gallon kit range |
| Hikari Cichlid Gold Mini | Daily cichlid pellet | min. 40% crude protein | Mini, medium, and large share that 40% listing |
The Aqueon kit already bundles a filter and a 78°F heater. For a single device that does both jobs, see the best fish tank filter and heater in one.
Do not use the Tetra HT10 (50 watts, 2 to 10 gallons) on a pair tank, because Tetra’s own size band stops at 10 gallons.
Aggression and why a community tank fails
Convict cichlids defend a nest, so they are a poor mix with small community fish.
FishBase says adults use rocky cracks, roots, and debris, and that both parents guard the eggs. That is a pair that claims space.
A 10-gallon community tank stacks three problems:
- Length under 80 cm
- No spare territory
- Tank mates that look like egg thieves
Our selection rule drops community lists for that reason, and we do not name tetra, guppy, or shrimp mixes here.
If you want a second fish later, add it only after the pair has space and caves. A 55-gallon footprint is the safer of the two kits we cover.
Use hard décor they cannot smash:
- Caves with one opening
- Stacked rock that cannot fall
- A clay pot on its side
- Sand or smooth gravel they can dig
They will move gravel, so secure every stack.
A species-only pair is the setup this page covers. One extra adult in a short tank raises fights.
Water, cycling, and heat
Cycle the tank before you add the pair. See how long to cycle a fish tank for the wait, not a same-week stock.
FishBase’s pH band is 7.0 to 8.0 and its hardness band is dH 9 to 20, so stay inside those published ranges.
Aqueon’s kit heater and Tetra’s HT line both publish 78°F. That number sits inside FishBase’s 20°C to 36°C window.
Match heater wattage to gallons:
- Tetra HT40: 150 watts, 30 to 40 gallons
- Tetra HT55: 200 watts, 40 to 55 gallons
- Skip Tetra HT30 (100 watts, 10 to 30 gallons) on a 55-gallon tank
Keep a hood on, because Tetra’s HT page says a hood or canopy holds heat in the tank.
After the cycle, use this weekly list:
- Check temperature against the 78°F set point.
- Confirm the filter is moving water.
- Change a portion of the water.
- Reset décor the pair has dug out.
The Aqueon kit filter uses a Medium replacement cartridge, per that kit page. Tetra Whisper filters use Bio-Bag cartridges and Bio-Foam, per Tetra’s filter page.
Do not add the pair on day one, because an uncycled tank can spike ammonia before the filter media is ready.
What to feed a convict cichlid
FishBase lists an omnivore diet: worms, crustaceans, insects, fish, and plants. A pellet can be the daily base. It should not be the only item forever.
Hikari’s Cichlid Gold page lists two protein floors:
- Baby pellets: min. 32% crude protein
- Mini, medium, and large pellets: min. 40% crude protein
Hikari says to feed two to three times daily, using only what the fish finish in a few minutes, then remove leftovers.
Omega One’s page for Small Cichlid Pellets lists 2 mm sinking pellets. The same page lists these guaranteed numbers:
- Crude protein min. 39.40%
- Crude fat min. 13.37%
- Crude fiber max. 1.68%
- Moisture max. 6.25%
- Ash max. 7.09%
- Omega-3 min. 1.82%
- Omega-6 min. 1.18%
Omega One says to feed up to three times daily and use only what they finish in two minutes.
Our research team compared those two protein listings: Hikari’s mini pellet at 40% and Omega One’s small sinking pellet at 39.40%. Both sit far above a plant-only diet.
Convicts are not bettas, and protein targets differ by species. For that other fish and pellet set, see best food for betta fish.
Rotate a little plant matter in, because FishBase already lists plants in the wild diet. Omega One lists dried kelp in its ingredient line.
Skip this feeding pattern:
- One giant feeding per day
- Food left to rot on the sand
- Only treats, never a listed staple pellet
Breeding: eggs, caves, and fry
FishBase says a pair deposits about 100 to 150 eggs, and both parents guard them.
The same page says they lay eggs on cleaned rock, then move free embryos into new pits they dig. Dark cavities with one entrance are the preferred nest type on that record.
You do not need a special potion to trigger a spawn. You need a pair, a cave, and stable water inside the published bands from FishBase.
If you want fry, set the tank this way:
- One male and one female only.
- At least one cave with a single opening.
- Sand or fine gravel they can dig.
- No other fish in the tank.
- A filter that does not suck fry into the intake.
A spawn of 100 to 150 eggs can fill a 29-gallon tank fast. Plan a second tank before hatch if you will keep the young.
If you do not want fry, do not add a second convict. A lone adult still needs length and cover, and this page still uses the 80 cm rule for the pair case we cover.
Do not dump extra fry outdoors, because FishBase already flags the species as a potential pest and notes introductions.
FAQ
How big does a convict cichlid get?
FishBase lists a maximum standard length of 10.0 cm and a common total length of 8.5 cm. Plan for a fish just under four inches, not a 12-inch cichlid.
Can a pair live in a 10-gallon tank?
No. Aqueon’s 10-gallon Rectangle LED Kit is listed at 22.88 inches long, or 58 cm. That is 22 cm short of FishBase’s 80 cm pair minimum.
What temperature do convict cichlids need?
FishBase lists 20°C to 36°C. Aqueon’s kit heater and Tetra’s HT line both publish 78°F, which is 25.6°C and sits inside that band.
How many eggs does a pair lay?
FishBase lists about 100 to 150 eggs per spawn, and both parents guard them. A single spawn can crowd a 29-gallon tank once the young grow.
Are convict cichlids safe in a community tank?
Not under the rule this page uses. FishBase says both adults guard the eggs and prefer tight rock cover. We cover a species-only pair, not mixed stocking.
What should I feed them?
Use a listed cichlid pellet as the daily food. Hikari Cichlid Gold Mini lists 40% crude protein, and Omega One Small Cichlid Pellets list 39.40%. Feed two or three small meals, not one large dump.
Which heater matches a 55-gallon kit?
Tetra’s HT page lists the HT55 at 200 watts for 40 to 55 gallons, set at 78°F. That band matches Aqueon’s 55-gallon kit. The HT10 and HT30 are listed for smaller tanks.
