Convict cichlid

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Convict cichlid
a female Archocentrus nigrofasciatus
a female Archocentrus nigrofasciatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Archocentrus
(Gill 1877)
Species: A. nigrofasciatus
Binomial name
Archocentrus nigrofasciatus
(Günther, 1867)

The Convict cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) is a species of fish from the family Cichlidae native to Central America[1] also known as the zebra cichlid. [2] Convict cichlids are popular aquarium fish[1] and have also been the subject of a numerous of studies on fish behaviour.[3]

Contents

[edit] Appearance and sexual dimorphism

The wild-type of the species has black vertical bars on its white to grey body. Juvenile convict cichlids are monomorphic until they reach sexual maturity. Female convict cichlids have less intensely black bands across the body, are smaller, and have pink to orange colouration in the ventral region and on the dorsal fin. [4] In contrast, male convict cichlids are larger, have more pointed ventral, dorsal and anal fins which often extend into filaments. In addition, older males frequently develop vestigial fatty lumps on their foreheads. [4][5] Selective breeding has resulted in a leucistic strain of convict cichlids [4] variously known as white convicts, gold convicts and A. nigrofasciatus "Kongo" [5].

[edit] Diet

In the natural habitat the species feeds on crustaceans, small fish, insects, various worms along with higher plants and algae. [1]

[edit] Synoma

A number of synonyms exist for this species including: Cichlasoma nigrofasciatus, Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus and Heros nigrofasciatus. [6][7]

[edit] Etymology

The common name convict cichlid is, like the species name, dervied from the horizontal black stripes on the fishes body and their similarity to the striped prison uniforms of british convicts. Similarly, the species epithet nigrofasciatus literally means black-striped.

[edit] Distribution and habitat

Convict cichlids are endemic to the lake and streams of Central America. In particular, the species occurs along the eastern coast of central america from Guatemala to Costa Rica, while on the western coast from Honduras to Panama [1]. Convict cichlids prefer moving water, over still water, and are most frequently found in habitats with cover in the form of rocks or sunken branches. [8] Convict cichlids are relatively tolerant of cooler water, an ability which has allowed the species to colonise volcanic lakes at elevations of 1500 m (4920 feet). [9]

[edit] Feral populations

The species also occurs outside its natural range in Australia, in the warm effluent of power stations in Victoria, and also in tropical Queensland. [10] In addition the species has been introduced to Japan [1], Mexico [7], and the USA. [11][12]

[edit] Reproduction

Like most cichlids, convicts have prolonged brood care of both eggs and free-swimming fry. [13] The species can reach sexual maturity as young as 16 weeks of age, though sexual maturity is more common reached by 6 months.[9] Sexually mature convicts form monogamous pairs and spawn in caves or crevices, like other Archocentrus species eggs are laid on the upper surface of the cave and are adhesive. In the wild caves are frequently dug underneath large stones. [14] After fertilisation the eggs take approximately 72 hours to hatch, a further 72 hours is required for the larvae to absorb their yolk sacs and allow fin development prior to the fry becoming free-swimming. [15] While in this free swimming stage fry feed and forage during daylight in a dense school and return to the cave or crevice during the night [16] Both parents are involved in guarding the fry from brood predators and engage in behaviours to assist feeding such as moving leaves or fin digging [14]. Brood care of eggs, larvae and free-swimming juveniles in the wild can last 4-6 weeks. [14]

[edit] In the aquarium

Convict cichlids are easily maintained and bred in aquariums. [4][5] The aquarium should be decorated to mimic the natural environment and should include rocks and artifical caves for breeding [4]. The species is an unfussy omnivore and will consume most aquarium plants, most types of prepared fish foods are acceptable. [4][5] Convict cichlids are aggressively territorial during breeding and pairs are best kept alone in suitably sized aquariums. It has been suggested that brood care is reduced in aquarium strains [4][5]. Due to the tendancy of the species to dig, external filtration is recommended over undergravel systems. [9] The relatively small size, ease of keeping and breeding makes the convict cichlid a ideal cichlid for beginner and advanced aquarists interested in observing brood care in cichlids in the aquarium. [9]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.. Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, Convict cichlid. FishBase. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
  2. ^ ITIS Report. Archocentrus nigrofasciatus. Intergrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  3. ^ Robins CR, Bailey RM, Bond CE, Brooker JR, Lachner EA, Lea RN, Scott WB (1991) World fishes important to North Americans. Exclusive of species from the continental waters of the United States and Canada. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 21: p. 243.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Riehl, Rüdiger. Editor.; Baensch, HA (1996. 5th Edn.). Aquarium Atlas. Germany: Tetra Press. ISBN 3-88244-050-3. 
  5. ^ a b c d e Sands D (1994) A fishkeepers guide to Central American cichlids. Tetra Press. Belgium pg 59-60.
  6. ^ Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.. Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, synonyms. FishBase. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  7. ^ a b Juan Miguel Artigas Azas. Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus (Günther, 1867). The Cichlid Room Companion. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  8. ^ Conkel, D (1993) Cichlids of North and Central America T.F.H. Publications, Inc., USA.
  9. ^ a b c d Loiselle, Paul V. (1995). The Cichlid Aquarium. Germany: Tetra Press. ISBN 1-56465-146-0. 
  10. ^ Koehn JD, MacKenzie RF (2004) Priority management actions for alien freshwater fish species in Australia. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 38: 457–472.
  11. ^ Yamamoto MN, Tagawa AW (2000) Hawai'i's native and exotic freshwater animals. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, Hawaii. p. 200
  12. ^ Page LM, Burr BM (1991) A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. p. 432
  13. ^ Keenleyside MHA (1991) Parental Care. In: Cichlid Fishes: behaviour, ecology and evolution Chapman and Hall, London. p. 191-208.
  14. ^ a b c Wisenden BD (1995) Reproductive behaviour of free-ranging convict cichlids, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum Environmental Biology of Fishes 43: 121-134.
  15. ^ Noakes DLG (1991) Ontogeny of behaviour in cichlids. In: Cichlid Fishes: behaviour, ecology and evolution Chapman and Hall, London. p. 209-224.
  16. ^ Wisenden BD (1994) Factors affecting male mate desertion in the biparental cichlid fish (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) in Costa Rica. Behavioral Ecology 5: 439-447.
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