Species learning profile
Convict cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is a freshwater fish associated with river habitat in Central America. Parents aggressively defend clouds of free-swimming fry.
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At a glance
- Agua
- Agua dulce
- Habitat
- Río
- Longitud máxima
- 15 cm
- Distribución
- Central America
- Familia
- Cichlidae
- Orden
- Cichliformes
Observe
How to identify Convict cichlid
- Parents aggressively defend clouds of free-swimming fry.
- Guide context: river habitat in Central America.
- Reported maximum length: 15 cm — roughly ruler-length. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with river habitat across Central America. Flow, seasonal floods, connected side channels, and access to spawning reaches all shape its river habitat.
Behavior
Forms durable breeding pairs
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Insects, crustaceans, algae, and seeds.
Ecological role
Disturbs substrate while feeding and nesting.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
Convict cichlid puede medir unos 15 cm y suele encontrarse cerca de Río.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
River fish depend on connected water. Dams, blocked migrations, pollution, and altered flow can matter even when the channel still looks wet.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Convict cichlid in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections