convict convict fish species family native central_america known convict popular fish subject numerous studies fish behaviour taxonomy originally described species collected specimens central_america species moved genus new genus based study species study led proposed moving species including genus convict displays significant color range regional variants considered different species keeping hobby collected fish red point stream honduras red point convict ranges south costa_rica new species included el_salvador panama atlantic coast type species cover species restricted northern population ranging el_salvador guatemala pacific coast honduras guatemala atlantic coast number synonyms exist species including etymology common convict like species derived vertical black stripes body reminiscent striped prison uniforms british similarly species epithet literally means black striped description wild type species black vertical bars blue grey body dark juvenile convict reach sexual maturity male gray light black stripes body males larger females pointed ventral dorsal anal fins extend addition older males frequently develop unusually fish female highly coloured intense black bands body pink orange ventral region dorsal fin mature males wild standard length centimeters breeding females centimeters long maximum standard length reported centimeters total length near centimeters body weight fish grams selective breeding resulted strain lacks dark barring wild type known commonly white pink gold caused gene inherited range habitat convict native lakes streams central_america particular species occurs eastern coast central_america guatemala costa_rica western coast honduras panama convict prefer moving water frequently found habitats cover form rocks sunken branches natural habitats convict costa_rica found range ranged daily water temperature ranged convict relatively tolerant cool water allowing volcanic lakes elevations meters feral populations species occurs outside natural range australia found warm power stations victoria tropical queensland captured perth western australia initial capture resulted addition australia species introduced mexico colombia taiwan usa feeding natural habitats species diet composed prey including crustaceans small fish insects worms plants algae fish jaw standard length allowing varied diet inferior social status associated stress affect digestive function convict reproduction life cycle convict reach sexual maturity young weeks sexual maturity commonly occurs months sexually mature form pairs spawn small caves wild fish caves moving earth underneath large stones females adhere eggs walls cave like brood exhibit parental care eggs free swimming eggs hatch approximately hours time parents expel potential egg predators nest fan eggs moving water fins clutch provide fan eggs day night night use sense smell recognize presence eggs dark pelvic fins contact eggs remain right distance darkness pair recognizes detect predators sense smell hatching larvae spend hours absorb yolk developing fins free swimming forage daylight dense school return cave night like parents retrieve young dark time delivering nest parents night sense time laboratory experiments convict continued retrieve young night approached absence signal light night bunch cave nest parents fan parents remain involved guarding brood predators engage behaviors assist feeding moving leaves fin digging digging substrate fins brood care eggs larvae free swimming juveniles wild weeks occurs season majority females contrast females known breed times year short intervals days long suitable rocks similar surfaces available lay eggs mating system convict pair bonds form establish territory male female obtain territory pairing convict substrate brooding territory include breeding site deposition eggs sexual selection effect population density sexual selection convict studied nest density greater females tended larger accurately explained density dependent mate preference mating competition opposed predation resource competition nest density regimes compared high low significant difference brood survival convict prefer breed farther away close proximity indicates costs breeding environment high population density example energy loss resulting increased aggression guarding territory female preference male mate examined accordance male size fighting ability female chooses larger males smaller male larger male larger male defeats smaller male fight males viewed time comparison drawn female female particular preference females benefit mating larger male shown larger males raise offspring independence better chasing predators attack offspring better competing breeding sites male size act effective indicator aggression repel come closer offspring shown individuals significantly greater size relative opponent win fights physical contact convict easiest breed parental roles convict species parents usually cooperate carrying tasks specific individual parental roles raising offspring common fish studies shown coordination female male female tends remain brood perform activities involving brood eggs mouth brooding larvae male tends patrol area chase defend predators parents able carry parental care tasks certain extent sex focus specific set behaviors particular susceptible change brood cycle fact observed mates removed parent able raise offspring independently having capacity parental behaviors young offspring grow free swimming parental activities distributed equally parents appears typical behavior types different ways sex role influenced studied manipulating presence absence mate presence absence variable considered parental roles occurs parents present variable considered thought care evolutionary consequence protection offspring mates present parents stay offspring resembling single parents parent addressing offspring mate parent concentrated activities associated offspring parent patrolling defending area isolated conditions equal sharing parental behaviors tends occur mates present introduced male spends time chasing female remains offspring present parent widowed male tends leave offspring instead attacks predator conclusive finding male rarely remains offspring female absent female rarely confronts male absent brood adoption convict extended care adopt unrelated young species similar smaller body size compared biological offspring parents benefit adopting smaller young taking advantage effect risk predation individual reduced group size larger reason considered foreign young larger biological offspring direct predatory threat shown biological offspring develop stronger swimmers parents active rejecting larger foreign young reject foreign young rejected large perceived direct threat biological offspring concluded brood adoption rejection rely heavily protection biological offspring differential predator instead larger adopted aggressive behavior convict known highly aggressive territorial breeding possessing variety complex behaviors adaptations suggested result environmental conditions individual development trait variation aggressive nature popularly studied investigate factors potentially cause behavior convict usually demonstrate aggressive behavior biting chasing bursts high speed targeted aggression body size shown environmental parameters like changes temperature prior residence affect territorial aggression convict aggressive opposed explained fact convict tend set breeding sites spawn care decorated mimic natural environment include rocks artificial caves breeding experts agree pair kept larger species types prepared fish foods readily accepted species aquatic plants plastic plants robust plants java recommended convict aggressively territorial breeding pairs best kept brood care reduced strains species tendency dig external superior filter systems relatively small size ease keeping breeding convict ideal advanced alike interested observing pair bonds brood care breeding breeding simple having male female tank adequate water quality feeding special conditioning required prolific breeding captivity low demand convict easily find population avenues adoption tank mates ideal tank mates convict consists robust similar sized fish fish include bar red points jewel mind territorial issues problem fast moving fish fish remember breeding pair smaller likely unable tank mates tank mates established type dominance breed live
Convict cichlid