As the name suggests, this fish was discovered on the Mosquito Coast of Honduras by Rusty Wessel. Here they inhabit rivers and streams with gravelly substrate and moderate to strong current. The aquarium should be large enough to allow any tankmates to escape the potential breeding territory of a single pair, with a much more spacious tank required for multiple specimens. There should be plenty of hiding places amongst driftwood and rocky caves, and flower pots laid on their side are also much appreciated. If plants are desired, choose tough species such as Java Fern (Microsorum sp.) or Anubias sp. tied onto the wood, as plants rooted in the substrate will be dug up. Filtration should be efficient with areas of moderate water movement, along with some quieter resting spots out of the current. Although clearly close to Convicts, 'HRPs' are considerably less aggressive and can usually be maintained as a compatible pair as long as suitable target fishes are present to give them a common enemy. Companions can include shoaling fishes such as Buenos Aires tetras and livebearers such as Swordtails and Goodeids, other cichlids should be of similar size and temperament but avoid keeping this fish alongside close relatives such as other Amatitlania or Cryptoheros, to avoid hybridisation.
A gold form of this fish has been produced, which may have arisen through crosses with the pink strain of Convict. It maintains the iridescence seen in normally coloured fish and this also seems to be a feature of the short-bodied hybrid traded as the Polar parrot cichlid. Away from the obvious hybrids, you may see this fish labelled as HRP or Blue Convict.