Zebra Cichlid

Zebra Cichlid is also known as Congo Cichlid or Convict Cichlid. Its scientific name is Cichlasoma (Archocentrus) nigrofasciatum. The expected life span of Zebra Cichlid is long enough. The fish has the age of ten years. This Cichlid registers its name among the hardiest Cichlids. Zebra Cichlid is very famous in aquariums. It is very belligerent, especially during the season of spawning. It lives in water bodies like lakes and fast moving rivers of South America.

Habitat of Zebra Cichlid

Area of geographic origin or natural habitat of Zebra Cichlid is Pacific side of Central America and Guatemala to Panama.

Diet of Zebra Cichlid

Zebra Cichlid is an omnivorous fish. You can feed it on all kinds of foods. Plant material or vegetable forms a very significant part of its diet. Feed your fish with pellets or food flakes as they have a high content of plant matter.

Physical Description of Zebra Cichlid

Males are larger than females in nature. As compared to females, males are less colorful. The latter develops a fatty chunk on its forehead. As males grow in age, they develop orange colored scales on their flanks. There is a glittery spot on the abdomen of females. This fish has a grey background with dark perpendicular bars on its sides. You can also find this fish in a pinkish or an albino variety. The Zebra Cichlid is relatively small and grows in size to around 10 cms or 4 inches.

Breeding Zebra Cichlid

Breeding Zebra Cichlid is uncomplicated. This fish is a secret brooder and needs elements of open water brooding .It is very important to provide some caves and stones in its tank so that it can easily hide its eggs. This fish does intensive brood care.

Tank Set Up for Zebra Cichlid

The tank of Zebra Cichlid should contain at least 55 gallons of water. The tank should be large enough so that many pairs can be kept in it. The fish is very enduring. It does not demand excellent water conditions. It will be appreciated if the water pH remains between 7 and 8.5. Hardness of water should be less than 20. This fish does well in any water condition that is provided to it. It will be thankful to you if you keep its tank clean and make frequent changes of water. It is prudent to create an environment that suits its behavior as the fish is disparaging in nature. Provide plenty of hiding places in the tank because Zebra Cichlids are very territorial and like to spawn in caves. Great hiding places can be created by driftwood, flower pots and rocks. For a majority of Cichlids do not add plants to the tank. The reason is that they eat up the plants. Provide a gravel type of substrate in their tank as this fish likes to dig the substrate.

Social Behavior of Zebra Cichlid

Zebra Cichlid is extremely antagonist against any fish. It can battle with larger Cichlids so much that it may cause death. At times, this fish is intolerant towards fish of its own kind. Thus, it is suggested to keep it in a species tank only with Zebra Cichlids. It is not strictly suggested. The reason of giving such a recommendation is that there are some successful tanks stories by keeping Zebra Cichlids in this way.

Zebra Cichlid can be rather quarrelsome despite its modest size. It is now available in two forms, the normal wild-type and a golden one. Both interbreed quite easily. The generic name A. rchocentrus has not yet been accepted world wide. In a nut-shell it can be said that this fish has an aggressive temperament but when it comes to water conditions, it is not very demanding. If you keep the above points of care in consideration, you can have this fish as your pet for long.