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Variety of Convict cichlid

Pink convict cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

The named variety of Amatitlania nigrofasciata · See the species →

FreshwaterFish

Pink convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
25 gal
95 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

The pink convict cichlid is a barless color form that is nearly as common in shops as the striped fish. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Cross a pink convict cichlid to a striped convict with no pink in its background, and every fry comes out striped. Pair two of those fry, and about a quarter of their young come out pink. It is the tidiest Mendelian ratio most keepers will ever watch happen in their own tank.

Caring for the pink convict cichlid

Keep a pair of pink convict cichlids on their own in at least 25 gal (95 L). Give them rocks, caves and flat surfaces, since they claim a territory and dig. Expect some rearranged gravel.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Pink convicts are adaptable and tolerate a fairly wide range of conditions. They take flake, pellet and frozen foods without fuss.

They are aggressive, especially when breeding, and they defend a territory hard in the middle and bottom of the tank. Plan any tank mates carefully. With the bars gone, you cannot read their mood from bar contrast the way you can with striped fish.

Females still develop the orange belly patch, so sex pink convicts by that flush. They are substrate spawners that breed readily, and two pinks breed true. Give a male and female a flat rock and they will often spawn on their own. The bonded pair guards its eggs and fry closely, and breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The pink convict cichlid carries a leucistic mutation that is autosomal and recessive. Dark pigment is reduced across the body, which is what removes the vertical bars. The eye stays dark, so this is not albinism. Its shade runs from near white to warm peach between suppliers. Pink convicts also go by white convict and gold convict, and some lists name them Amatitlania nigrofasciata Kongo.

In the wild

The pink convict cichlid was bred in captivity and is not found in Central American streams. Its mode of inheritance is documented, but no breeder, country or decade is on record for who first fixed the line.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the pink convict cichlid by at least two published care guides. Seriously Fish, Fishkeeper (Maidenhead Aquatics), Practical Fishkeeping and LiveAquaria recommend keeping it on its own instead. Mixed tanks need 50 to 75 gallons (190 to 285 liters) or more, with caves and visual barriers.

Sources: Aquarium Source, Fishkeeping World, Build Your Aquarium, Aquariadise, Seriously Fish, Practical Fishkeeping, Riverpark Aquatics, The Vet Desk (Animal-World).

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

Is a pink convict cichlid a different species from the convict cichlid?

No. A pink convict cichlid is a variety of the convict cichlid, Amatitlania nigrofasciata, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.

What size tank does a pink convict cichlid need?

A pink convict cichlid needs at least 25 gal (95 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What does a pink convict cichlid eat?

A pink convict cichlid is an easy eater and takes flake, pellet and frozen foods without fuss.

How big does a pink convict cichlid get?

An adult pink convict cichlid reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How can you tell a male pink convict cichlid from a female?

A female pink convict cichlid still develops the orange belly patch. With the bars gone, that belly flush is how you tell her from a male.

How does a pink convict cichlid breed?

Pink convict cichlids are substrate spawners that breed readily, and two pinks breed true. A male and female given a flat rock will often spawn on their own, and the pair guards its eggs and fry closely.

What fish can live with the pink convict cichlid?

Published care guides name Jack Dempsey, spotted pimelodus, bristlenose pleco and firemouth cichlid, among others. Mixed tanks need 50 to 75 gallons (190 to 285 liters) or more, with caves and visual barriers.

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