Golden dwarf convict

Care at a glance

Overview

The golden dwarf convict is a bottom-dwelling cichlid for keepers who want convict behavior without the tank size. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Caring for the golden dwarf convict

Give a pair of golden dwarf convicts at least 29 gal (110 L). Furnish the tank with sand, caves, and wood and stone for cover. Keep the water warm and moderately hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Feed pellets and frozen foods.

Even in a tank this size, a pair will claim territory, dig a pit and defend its fry. At their small size, the damage they can do is limited. Pairs hold territory against fish several times their size for as long as fry are in the water. Choose tank mates with caution.

Like all convicts, it is a substrate spawner with intense biparental care. Pairs spawn readily, so expect a lot of fry.

Good to know

Amatitlania nanolutea is the smallest of the convict cichlids, in the family Cichlidae.

In the wild

The golden dwarf convict comes from the Guarumo river in Panama. It lives in slow, weedy creeks that run warm and moderately hard.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Honduran red point cichlid

  Amatitlania siquia

  3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)

  3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Topaz convict cichlid

  Amatitlania myrnae

  3.9 in (10 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)

  3.9 in (10 cm)21 gal (80 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  Seven-band convict

  Amatitlania septemfasciata

  4.7 in (12 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)

  4.7 in (12 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  T-bar cichlid

  Amatitlania sajica

  4.7 in (12 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)

  4.7 in (12 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Convict cichlid

  Amatitlania nigrofasciata

  5.9 in (15 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)

  5.9 in (15 cm)25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Clown labidochromis

  Labidochromis chisumulae

  3.1 in (8 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)

  3.1 in (8 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)