Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced & Invasive/Convict Cichlid

Convict Cichlid

Category: Invasive

A striped freshwater cichlid, released into Hawaiian streams and out-competing native species

Convict Cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus)

  • Small, freshwater fish that grow to 12 cm, with males attaining a larger size than females  2

  • Sides have black and white vertical stripes  2

Convict-Cichlid

Habitat

  • Typically found in streams and rivers 2

  • Prefers rocky habitats and inhabits cracks and crevices  2

Impacts & Concern

  • Outcompeting native fish species, resulting in their decline 1

  • In Hawaiʻi, currently considered established in the wild 2

Introduction

Introduced to Hawaiʻi through aquarium release from South America in 1983 2

Distribution in Hawai‘i

  • Kauaʻi: Present

  • O‘ahu: Present

  • Molokaʻi: Not documented

  • Lānaʻi: Not documented

  • Maui: Not documented

  • Hawaiʻi Island: Not documented

References

  1. Nico, L., Fuller, P., & Neilson, M. (2021). Convict Cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) – Species Profile. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=447.

  2. CABI. (2021). Amatitlania nigrofasciata. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/112202

Other Introduced & Invasive

a4d0af7b6652b487e5c303e920d4ccc987d7baf9

Marine

40c921b134b22783f181226c106c8338e2bdadd2

Freshwater

c8eb3b434663062e9fa4847935a341d6c8967322

Brackish

a9568c59478797b5a3a43af86ec96d04950dc31f

Seaweed/Algae