Seven-band convict
Amatitlania septemfasciata
Also known as Cryptoheros septemfasciatus, Sevenband cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.2
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Caribbean slope, Costa Rica
Overview
The seven-band convict is a stocky relative of the common convict for a community of robust fish. It suits a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The seven-band convict is named by arithmetic. Septemfasciata means seven-banded, for the seven dark bars along the flank. The fish carries its own identification in its name, if you stop and count the stripes.
Caring for the seven-band convict
Give a pair of seven-band convicts at least 42 gal (160 L), which leaves room for tank mates. Use a sandy floor with wood and rock arranged into caves, plus flat stones for spawning. Give the pair its own end of the tank.
Keep the water neutral to hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Feed a varied omnivore diet of flake, sinking pellets and frozen foods.
A single pair will bond, claim a cave and raise fry with determination. They are mostly peaceful in a community but turn protective and territorial once they spawn, so choose robust tank mates.
The seven-band convict is a cave spawner, and both parents devote themselves to the brood. A single spawn can run to a couple of hundred fry. Breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The seven-band convict, Amatitlania septemfasciata, is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae. It is also sold under the older name Cryptoheros septemfasciatus, and as the sevenband cichlid.
In the wild
The seven-band convict lives in warm lowland streams on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica. It is found in the San Juan drainage and nearby rivers.
Common questions
What size tank does a seven-band convict need?
A seven-band convict needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a seven-band convict need?
A seven-band convict is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.
What does a seven-band convict eat?
A seven-band convict eats a varied omnivore diet of flake, sinking pellets and frozen foods.
How big does a seven-band convict get?
An adult seven-band convict reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a seven-band convict breed?
The seven-band convict is a cave spawner, and a bonded pair raises the fry together. One spawn can run to a couple of hundred fry, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
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