Convict cichlid 2676776 225749084 2008-07-15T05:56:22Z 99.247.44.175 /* Appearance, size and sexual dimorphism */ {{Taxobox | name = Convict cichlid | image = Convicts Cichlids.jpg | image_caption = female (left) and male (right) ''Amatitlania nigrofasciata'' | image_width = 200px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Actinopterygii]] | ordo = [[Perciformes]] | familia = [[Cichlidae]] | genus = '''''[[Amatitlania]]''''' | genus_authority = (Schmitter-Soto 2007) | species = '''''A. nigrofasciata''''' | binomial = ''Amatitlania nigrofasciata'' | binomial_authority = ([[Albert C. L. G. Günther|Günther]], 1867) }} The '''Convict cichlid''' ('''''Amatitlania nigrofasciata''''') is a species of fish from the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Cichlid]]ae, native to [[Central America]],<ref name="fishbase">{{cite web|url=http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3615|title=''Archocentrus nigrofasciatus'', Convict cichlid|author=Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.|publisher=FishBase|accessdate=2007-03-29}}</ref> also known as the '''zebra cichlid'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=648207 |title=''Archocentrus nigrofasciatus''|author=ITIS Report|publisher=Integrated Taxonomic Information System|accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> Convict cichlids are popular [[aquarium]] fish<ref name="fishbase"/> and have also been the subject of numerous studies on fish behaviour.<ref>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.</ref> ==Appearance, size and sexual dimorphism== [[Image:Pink Convict Cichlid.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A young male convict cichlid showing the leucistic colouration]] The wild-type of the species has 8-9 black vertical bars on a blue-grey body, along with a dark blotch on the [[Operculum (fish)|operculum]].<ref name="fishbase"/> Juvenile convict cichlids are [[sexual dimorphism|monomorphic]] until they reach sexual maturity. Unusually for fish, the female is more highly coloured.<ref name="Wisenden"/> She has more intense black bands across the body, and pink to orange colouration in the ventral region and on the dorsal fin. In contrast, the male is mostly gray with light black stripes along the body. On the other hand, male convict cichlids are larger than females, and they have more pointed [[ventral fin|ventral]], [[dorsal fin|dorsal]] and [[anal fins]] which often extend into filaments. In addition, older males frequently develop [[Vestigial structure|vestigial]] fatty lumps on their foreheads.<ref name="baensch">{{cite book |last=Riehl |first=Rüdiger. Editor. |coauthors=Baensch, HA |title=Aquarium Atlas |year=1996. 5th Edn. |publisher=Tetra Press |location=Germany |isbn=3-88244-050-3}}</ref><ref name="FKGCC">Sands D (1994) ''A fishkeepers guide to Central American cichlids.'' Tetra Press. Belgium pg 59-60.</ref> The average [[Ichthyology terms#S|standard length]] of breeding sized males in the wild ranged from 6.3-6.6 [[centimeters]], while breeding sized females ranged from 4.2-5.5 centimeters.<ref name="Wisenden"/> The maximum standard length has been reported to be 10 centimeters, with total length near 12 centimeters.<ref name="fishbase"/><ref>Kullander, S.O., 2003. Cichlidae (Cichlids). p. 605-654. In: R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil.</ref> Body weight has been reported to range from 34-36 [[gram]]s (1.2-1.3 [[Ounce|oz]]).<ref name="fishbase"/> Selective breeding has resulted in a [[Leucism|leucistic]] strain of convict cichlids, in which the dark barring of the wild type is absent <ref name="baensch"/>. These are also known as '''white convicts''', '''pink convicts''', '''gold convicts''' and ''A. nigrofasciata'' "Kongo",<ref name="FKGCC"/>.<ref name="fishbase"/> The leucistic colouration is caused by a [[mutation]] in an [[autosomal]] [[gene]] and is [[recessive]]ly inherited.<ref>Itzkovich J, Rothbard S, Hulata G (1981) Inheritance of pink body colouration in cichlasoma nigrofasciatum Günther (Pisces, Cichlidae). ''Genetica'' '''55:''' 15-16.</ref> ==Diet== [[Image:Male Convict Cichlid.jpg|thumb|200px|Close up of a male convict cichlid showing teeth]] In natural habitats, the species feeds on [[crustaceans]], small [[fish]], [[insects]], various [[worm]]s, [[plant]]s and [[algae]]. It has been demonstrated in laboratory studies that [[social status]] and associated [[stress (medicine)|stress]] can affect digestive function in convict cichlids.<ref>Earley RL, Blumer LS, Grober MS (2004) The gall of subordination: changes in gall bladder function associated with social stress ''Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences'' '''271:''' 7-13.</ref> ==Taxonomy and intraspecific variation== The species originally was described in 1867 by [[Albert C. L. G. Günther|Albert Günther]] after having been collected in Central America by [[Frederick DuCane Godman]] and [[Osbert Salvin]].<ref>Günther A (1867) On the fishes of the states of Central America, founded upon specimens collected in fresh and marine waters of various parts of that country by Messrs. Salvin and Godman and Capt. J. M. Dow. '' Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond.'' 600-604.</ref> In 2007, the species was moved from the genus ''[[Archocentrus]]'' to a new genus, ''[[Amatitlania]]'' based on a study of ''Archocentus'' species by [[Juan Schmitter-Soto]].<ref name="pfk">{{cite web|url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1399|title=Convict and Jack Dempsey placed in new genera|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> A number of synonyms exist for this species including: '''''Archocentrus nigrofasciatus''''', '''''Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum''''', '''''Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus''''' and '''''Heros nigrofasciatus'''''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Nomenclature/SynonymsList.cfm?ID=3615&GenusName=Archocentrus&SpeciesName=nigrofasciatus|title=''Archocentrus nigrofasciatus'', synonyms|author=Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.|publisher=FishBase|accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref><ref name="crc">{{cite web|url=http://cichlidae.com/gallery/species.php?s=200|title=''Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus'' (Günther, 1867)|author=Juan Miguel Artigas Azas|publisher=The Cichlid Room Companion|accessdate=2007-03-30}}</ref> The convict cichlid does display significant variation in colouration across its range in Central America.<ref>Heijns W (2001) [http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=403 A convict from the Volcano] [http://www.cichlidae.com Cichlid Room Companion] Ed. Juan Miguel Artigas Azas.</ref><ref>Azas JMA (2002) [http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=204 ''Cryptoheros'', The Small Central American Cichlids] [http://www.cichlidae.com Cichlid Room Companion] Ed. Juan Miguel Artigas Azas.</ref> Some of these regional variants are now considered different species.<ref name="pfk">{{cite web|url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1399|title=Convict and Jack Dempsey placed in new genera|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> In the cichlid-keeping hobby, one such fish ''[[Amatitlania siquia]]'' "Honduran Red Point" was collected from a stream in [[Honduras]] by Rusty Wessel.<ref>Wessel R (2006) The Honduran Red Point: A beautiful blue convict-type species from Honduras ''Tropical Fish Hobbyist'' '''54:''' 104-106.</ref><ref name="GCCA">Borstein R (2005) [http://www.gcca.net/fom/Archocentrus_sp_Honduran-Red-Point.htm Archocentrus sp. "Honduran Red Point"] Greater Chicago Cichlid Association</ref> The Honduran Red Point Convict ranges from Atlantic Honduras south to Costa Rica.<ref name="pfk">{{cite web|url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1399|title=Convict and Jack Dempsey placed in new genera|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> Other new species formerly included in ''A. nigrofasciata'' are: *''[[Amatitlania coatepeque]]'', from Lake Coatepeque in [[El Salvador]], and *''[[Amatitlania kanna]]'', from the Atlantic side of [[Panama]] The type species name, ''A. nigrofasciata'', which used to cover all these species, has recently been restricted to the northern convict cichlid population ranging from El Salvador to [[Guatemala]] on the Pacific coast of Central America and from Honduras to Guatemala on the Atlantic coast. <ref name="pfk">{{cite web|url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1399|title=Convict and Jack Dempsey placed in new genera|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> The common name convict cichlid is, like the species name, derived from the vertical black stripes on the fishes body and their similarity to the striped prison uniforms of [[Great Britain|British]] [[convict]]s. Similarly, the species epithet ''nigrofasciatus'' literally means black-striped.<ref>{{cite book|author=Innes, William|year=1966|title=Exotic Aquarium Fishes|page=395}}</ref> ==Distribution and habitat== [[Image:Convict Noxious Australia.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A male convict cichlid caught on a hook and line, in the heated outflow of a [[Fossil fuel power plant|coal powerplant]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]].]] Convict cichlids are endemic to the lakes and streams of Central America. In particular, the species occurs along the eastern coast of Central America from [[Guatemala]] to [[Costa Rica]], and on the western coast from [[Honduras]] to [[Panama]].<ref name="fishbase"/> Convict cichlids prefer moving water, and are most frequently found in habitats with cover in the form of rocks or sunken branches.<ref>Conkel, D (1993) ''Cichlids of North and Central America'' T.F.H. Publications, Inc., USA.</ref> Convict cichlids are relatively tolerant of cool water, an ability which has allowed the species to colonise volcanic lakes at elevations of 1500 [[metre|m]] (4920 [[Foot (unit of length)|feet]]).<ref name="Loiselle">{{cite book |last=Loiselle |first=Paul V. |coauthors= |title=The Cichlid Aquarium |year=1995 |publisher=Tetra Press |location=Germany |isbn=1-56465-146-0}}</ref> At four natural habitats of the convict cichlid in Costa Rica, the [[pH]] was found to range from 6.6 - 7.8, while [[alkalinity]] ranged from 63 to 77 [[Parts per million|ppm]] [[Calcium carbonate|CaCO<sub>3</sub>]]. The daily water temperature ranged from 26-29 °[[Celsius|C]] (79-84 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]).<ref name="Wisenden"/> ===Feral populations=== The species also occurs outside its natural range in Australia: in the warm effluent of power stations in Victoria, and in tropical Queensland.<ref>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.</ref> In addition to Australia, the species has been introduced to Réunion,<ref name="fishbase"/> Japan,<ref name="fishbase"/> Mexico,<ref name="crc"/> and the USA.<ref>Yamamoto MN, Tagawa AW (2000) ''Hawai'i's native and exotic freshwater animals.'' Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, Hawaii. p. 200</ref><ref>Page LM, Burr BM (1991) ''A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico''. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. p. 432</ref> ==Reproduction== [[Image:Convict cichlid reproduction.png|thumb|200px|Series of images of reproduction. Top to bottom: 1. Female with eggs, 2. One day old larvae, 3. Three day old larvae, 4. Five week old fry.]] Like most cichlids, convicts exhibit parental care of both eggs and free-swimming fry.<ref name="Keenleyside">Keenleyside MHA (1991) Parental Care. In: ''Cichlid Fishes: behaviour, ecology and evolution'' Chapman and Hall, London. p. 191-208.</ref> The species can reach sexual maturity as young as 16 weeks of age, though sexual maturity is more commonly reached by 6 months.<ref name="Loiselle"/> Sexually mature convicts form [[monogamous]] pairs and spawn in caves or crevices. In the wild, the fish dig up caves by moving earth from underneath large stones.<ref name="Wisenden">Wisenden BD (1995) Reproductive behaviour of free-ranging convict cichlids, ''Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum'' ''Environmental Biology of Fishes'' '''43:''' 121-134.</ref>. The eggs are laid on the upper or side surfaces of the cave and are adhesive. After fertilisation the eggs take approximately 72 hours to hatch. During that time, the parents expel intruders and potential egg predators from the territory around the nest. They also fan the eggs, moving water with their fins over the batch of eggs to bring oxygenated water to the eggs. They fan the eggs not only during the day but also at night, using their sense of smell to recognize the presence of the eggs in the dark, and keeping their pelvic fins in contact with the eggs to remain at the right distance for fanning.<ref>Reebs, S.G., and Colgan, P.W., 1991, Nocturnal care of eggs and circadian rhythms of fanning activity in two normally diurnal cichlid fishes, ''Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum'' and ''Herotilapia multispinosa'', Animal Behaviour 41: 303-311; Reebs, S.G., and Colgan, P.W., 1992, Proximal cues for nocturnal egg care in convict cichlids, ''Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum'', Animal Behaviour 43: 209-214.</ref>. The parents also use their sense of smell to recognize each other at night, and also to detect and react to the presence of potential egg predators.<ref>Reebs, S.G., 1994, Nocturnal mate recognition and nest guarding by female convict cichlids (Pisces, Cichlidae: ''Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum''), Ethology 96: 303-312</ref> After hatching, a further 72 hours is required for the larvae to absorb their yolk sacs and develop their fins prior to becoming free-swimming fry.<ref name="Noakes">Noakes DLG (1991) Ontogeny of behaviour in cichlids. In: ''Cichlid Fishes: behaviour, ecology and evolution'' Chapman and Hall, London. p. 209-224.</ref> While in this free swimming stage, fry forage during daylight in a dense school and return to the cave or crevice before the night.<ref name="Wisenden2">Wisenden BD (1994) Factors affecting male mate desertion in the biparental cichlid fish (''Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum'') in Costa Rica. ''Behavioral Ecology'' '''5:''' 439-447.</ref> Like other cichlids, the parents also retrieve their young just before night onset, sucking up three or four fry at a time into their mouth, swimming back to the nest, and spitting the young into it. The parents do this in anticipation of night arrival, using an internal time sense to know that night is approaching, as shown by laboratory experiments in which convict cichlids continued to retrieve even before nights that were not preceded by any signal such as dim light.<ref>Reebs, S.G., 1994, The anticipation of night by fry-retrieving convict cichlids, Animal Behaviour 48: 89-95.</ref> During the night, the fry remain as a bunch at the bottom of the cave or nest, where they are fanned by the parents.<ref>Lavery, R.J., and Reebs, S.G., 1994, Effect of mate removal on current and subsequent parental care in the convict cichlid (Pisces: Cichlidae), Ethology 97: 265-277.</ref> Both parents remain involved in guarding the fry from brood [[predator]]s and engage in behaviours to assist feeding such as moving leaves or fin digging.<ref name="Wisenden"/> Brood care of eggs, larvae and free-swimming juveniles in the wild can last 4-6 weeks,<ref name="Wisenden"/> and occurs only once per season for the majority of females.<ref name="Wisenden"/> In contrast, females in aquariums are known to breed many times per year with short intevals of 12-13 days between broods, as long as suitable rocks or similar surfaces are available for them to lay their eggs on.<ref name="Wisenden3">Wisenden DB (1993) Female convict cichlids adjust gonadal investment in current reproduction in response to relative risk of brood predation. ''Canadian Journal of Zoology'' '''71:''' 252-256.</ref> In captivity, breeding pairs of convict cichlids have been demonstrated to adopt similarly aged fry from other parents.<ref>Espmark Y, Knudsen T (2001) Intraspecific brood adoption in the convict cichlid with respect to fry of two colour morphs ''Journal of Fish Biology'' '''59:''' 504–514.</ref> In other cichlids it has been suggested this behaviour may reduce predation on the fry belonging to the adoptive parents, through a dilution effect. <ref>Nelson CTJ, Elwood RW (1997) Parental state and offspring recognition in the biparental cichlid fish ''Pelvicachromis pulcher''. ''Animal Behaviour'' '''54:''' 803-809.</ref> ==In the aquarium== Convict cichlids are easily maintained and bred in aquariums.<ref name="baensch"/><ref name="FKGCC"/> The aquarium should be decorated to mimic the natural environment and should include rocks and artificial caves for breeding.<ref name="baensch"/> The species is an unfussy omnivore and most types of prepared [[fish food]]s are readily accepted.<ref>Mills D, Vevers G (1989) The Tetra encyclopedia of freshwater tropical aquarium fishes. Tetra Press, New Jersey.</ref> The species will also consume aquarium plants.<ref name="baensch"/><ref name="FKGCC"/> 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.<ref name="baensch"/><ref name="FKGCC"/> Due to the tendency of the species to dig, external [[Filter (aquarium)|filtration]] is recommended over [[Filter (aquarium)#Undergravel filters|undergravel filter]] systems.<ref name="Loiselle"/> The relatively small size of this species, along with ease of keeping and breeding, make the convict an ideal cichlid for beginners and advanced aquarists alike interested in observing pair bonds and brood care in the aquarium.<ref name="Loiselle"/> ==See also== * [[Cichlid]] * [[Amatitlania]] * [[Archocentrus]] * [[List of freshwater aquarium fish species]] == References == <!-- ---------------------------------------------------------- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for a discussion of different citation methods and how to generate footnotes using the<ref>, </ref> and <reference /> tags ----------------------------------------------------------- --> {{reflist|2}} [[Category:Cichlidae]] [[Category:Fish of Central America]] [[de:Zebrabuntbarsch]] [[hu:Zebrasávos sügér]] [[nl:Zebracichlide]] [[no:Sebraciklide]] [[pl:Pielęgnica zebra]] [[fi:Seeprakirjoahven]]