URL : http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=177

Photo by Windsor Aguirre Scientific Name: Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): 169777

Other scientific names appearing in the literature of this species:

Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, Astronotus nigrofasciatum, and Heros nigrofasciatus (Riehl and Baensch, 1991; Sakurai et al., 1992).

Common Name: Convict cichlid, zebra cichlid

Distinguishing Features:

According to Page and Burr, 1991, the convict cichlid can be distinguished by the presence of seven black bars along its sides, extending on to its dorsal and anal fins and a characteristic black spot on the upper portion of its operculum. Large males have intense black bars on the underside of their heads and elongate rays on the posterior portion of their dorsal and anal fins. Females may be orange or red in some populations, and there are reports of albino populations established in other regions of the United States. The fin counts are: 18-19 dorsal spines and 7-9 dorsal rays; 9-11 anal spines and 6-8 anal rays.

Similar Species:

Similar species include the Mayan cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmus, which can be distinguished by a lower number of anal spines (6-8 as opposed to 9-11 of the convict cichlid) and a higher number of dorsal rays (10-13 as opposed to 7-9). The black acara, Cichlasoma bimaculatum, which lacks black bars on its sides and has only 4 anal spines (Page and Burr, 1991).

Biology:

Over its native range this species is common in slow and fast moving rivers and streams, and can be found over most any bottom (Bussing, 1987). Barlow (1976) reported convict cichlids as the most ubiquitous cichlid species of Nicaraguan rivers and streams.

Temperature Tolerance: Although data on its cold tolerance is scarce, temperature is probably a limiting factor for the establishment of this species in the Gulf drainages.

Reproduction and Fecundity: Males are larger but less colorful than females. Males develop a fatty lump on their foreheads as well as orange colored scales on their flanks with age (Riehl and Baensch, 1991). Mackereth and Keenleyside (1993) and Wissenden (1994), have documented the breeding habits of this species. The convict cichlid is sexually dimorphic. Females begin pair formation by following males. Breeding pairs are monogamous. They construct nest caves, usually under rocks, the day of spawning. Sedletskiy (1995) however, reported males to build the nests and later attract females through visual displays. McKay (1977) reported a preference for building nests among weed beds. Both sexes are highly aggressive towards conspecifics, as well as toward individuals of other species. Eggs are laid on rocks, with both parents participating in their protection. Eggs hatch in approximately three days, and fry emerge from within the nest in 5 days, measuring about 5 mm. There are reports of breeding pairs occasionally adapting and rearing fry from other pairs (Fraser et al., 1993; Fraser, 1996). Convict cichlid families forage during the day, retreating to their nests at night. Fry become independent at about 10 mm. An average of 30 fry are reared to independence per breeding pair.

Trophic Interactions: This species is omnivorous, and has been described as mostly piscivorous (Fraser et al., 1993), as well as mostly herbivorous (McKaye, 1977). Bussing (1987) reported food items over its native range to include aquatic insects, seeds, leaves, and detritus. Fry and juveniles have been reported as voracious piscivores, frequently feeding on smaller size classes of their same species (Fraser et al., 1993). McKaye (1977) reported the formation of transitory feeding territories for fishes in Lake Jiloa, Nicaragua.

Maximum Size:

Convict cichlids are relatively small, typically growing to 80-90 mm SL with a maximum of 150 mm SL in the Gulf drainages (Axelrod et al., 1971; Lee et al., 1980; Riehl and Baensch, 1991).

Distribution:

The native range of the convict cichlid extends from the Pacific coast of Guatemala through the Pacific and Atlantic coast of Costa Rica, to the Pacific coast of Panama (Miller, 1966; Axelrod et al., 1971; Lee et al., 1980, Page and Burr, 1991).

In the Gulf states, this species has been reported from fresh waters around Miami, Dade county, Florida.

Collection Records

Interest to Fisheries:

Current Status of this Species in the Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem:

Convict cichlids are not established in the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. They have been reported from open waters around Miami in Dade county, Florida. They were first reported by Rivas (1965) from a rock pit in Dade county, Florida. However, this record has not been confirmed. Although specimens have been collected from waters of Florida, there is no evidence of breeding populations established in the Gulf states, hence the convict cichlid is not considered established (Courteney et al. 1991; Shafland, 1996). Specimens collected in Florida probably originated from aquarium releases (Lee et al., 1980).

Potential Impacts:

If it were to become fully established, the convict cichlid has the potential of causing serious damage to native fish communities through competition and possibly direct predation (Lee, et al., 1980). Breeding adults exhibit a great deal of inter and intra-specific aggression, which may alter local community structure amd limit available breeding areas for native fish (Lee et al., 1980; Lorenz and Taylor, 1992; Mackereth and Keenleyside, 1993).

Recommendations:

References:

Axelrod, H.R., C.W. Emmens, D. Sculthorpe, W.V. Winkler, and N. Pronek. 1971. Exotic Tropical Fishes. TFH Publications, Inc. Jersey City, NJ.

Barlow, G. W. 1976. The Midas cichlid in Nicaragua. Pages 333-358 in T. B. Thorsen, editor. Investigations of the ichthyofauna of Nicaraguan lakes. University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Bussing, W. A. 1987. Peces de las aguas continentales de Costa Rica. Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose. 221 pp.

Courtenay, W. R., Jr., D. P. Jennings, and J. D. Williams. 1991. Appendix 2, exotic fishes. Pages 97-107 in Robins, C. R., R. M. Bailey, C. E. Bond, J. R. Brokker, E. A. Lachner, R. N. Lea, and W. B. Scott, editors. Common and scientific names of fishes from the U.S. and Canada. Special Publication 20, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Md..

Fraser, S. A. 1996. The influence of predators on adoption behaviour in adult convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum). Canadian Journal of Zoology 74:1165-1173.

Fraser, S.A., B.D. Wisenden, M.H.A. Keenleyside. 1993. Aggressive behaviour among convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) fry of different sizes and its importance to brood adaption. Canadian Journal of Zoology 71:2358-2362.

Hensley, D.A., and W.R. Courtenay, Jr. 1980. Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum (Günther) Convict Cichlid. Page 767 In D.S. Lee, C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, And J.R. Stauffer, Jr. Atlas Of North American Fresh Water Fishes. Publication #1980-12 Of The North Carolina Biological Survey. North Carolina State Museum Of Natural History

Lachner, E. A., C. R. Robins, and W. R. Courtenay, Jr. 1970. Exotic fishes and other aquatic organisms introduced into North America. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 59:1-29.

Lorenz, J.J., D.H. Taylor. 1992. The effects of low pH as a chemical stressor on the ability of convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) to succesfully brood their young. Copeia 1992(3):832-839.

Mackereth, R.W., M.H.A. Keenleyside. 1993. Breeding Territoriality And Pair Formation In The Convict Cichlid (Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum; Pisces, Cichlidae). Canadian Journal Of Zoology 71:960-967.

McKaye, K.R. 1977. Competition for breeding sites between the cichlid fishes of Lake Jiloa, Nicaragua. Ecology 58:291-302.

Miller, R. R. 1966. Geographic Distribution Of Central American Freshwater Fishes. Copeia 1966(4):773-803.

Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. The Peterson Field Guide Series, volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Riehl, R., and H.A. Baensch. 1991. Aquarium Atlas. Mergus. Melle, Germany. 992 pp.

Rivas, L. R. 1965. Florida fresh water fishes and conservation. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Science 28(3):255-258.

Sakurai, A., Y. Sakamoto, and F. Mori. 1993. Aquarium Fish Of The World: The Comprehensive Guide To 650 Species. English Translation By Takeshi Shimizu With Neil M. Teitler. Edited By P. V. Loiselle. Chronicle Books. San Francisco. 288 Pp.

Sedletskiy, I.V. 1995. Differences in prespawning behavior of Cichlasoma (Archocentrus) nigrofasciatum and C. (Cichlasoma) portalegrense (Cichlidae). Journal of Ichthyology 35(7):86-107.

Shafland, P. L. 1996. Exotic Fishes of Florida-1994. Reviews in Fisheries Science 4(2):101-122.

Wisenden, B.D. 1994. Factors affecting reproductive success in free-ranging convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum). Canadian Journal of Zoology 72:2177-2185.