Species › Cichlids

Convict cichlid tank mates and minimum tank size

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm (5.9 in). They are aggressive and do best in a tank of their own kind. They will eat small fish they can catch. They need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 7.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

at least 90 cm (35 in) long

Adult size

15 cm (5.9 in)

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

pH 7.0–8.0

Group

no minimum

Convict cichlid minimum tank size

Convict cichlids need at least a tank at least 90 cm (35 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 15 cm (5.9 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (60 cm (24 in)).

Convict cichlid tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against convict cichlids by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (2)

• Mystery snail
• Nerite snail

With care (1)

• Cherry shrimpConvict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry shrimp grow to 4 cm.

Not compatible (49)

• AngelfishConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so angelfish would be harassed.
• BettaConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so bettas would be harassed. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as convict cichlids, many do not.
• Black neon tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so black neon tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; black neon tetras grow to 3.5 cm.
• Black skirt tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so black skirt tetras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so Boeseman's rainbowfish would be harassed.
• Bristlenose plecoConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so bristlenose plecos would be harassed.
• Bronze corydorasConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so bronze corydoras would be harassed.
• Cardinal tetraConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so cardinal tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cardinal tetras grow to 3.5 cm.
• Celestial pearl danioConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so celestial pearl danios would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; celestial pearl danios grow to 2.1 cm. Celestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Cherry barbConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so cherry barbs would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry barbs grow to 5 cm.
• Chili rasboraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so chili rasboras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; chili rasboras grow to 3.5 cm. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Clown loachConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so clown loaches would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so cockatoo dwarf cichlids would be harassed. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and convict cichlids are one of them.
• Common plecoConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so common plecos would be harassed.
• Congo tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so Congo tetras would be harassed.
• DiscusConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so discus would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so dwarf gouramis would be harassed.
• Ember tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so ember tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; ember tetras grow to 2 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Endler's livebearerConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so Endler's livebearers would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; Endler's livebearers grow to 2.5 cm. Endler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• German blue ramConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so German blue rams would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; German blue rams grow to 4.2 cm. German blue rams (4.2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm). German blue rams fight other cichlids, and convict cichlids are one of them.
• Glass catfishConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so glass catfish would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Glowlight tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so glowlight tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; glowlight tetras grow to 4 cm.
• GoldfishConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so goldfish would be harassed.
• GuppyConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so guppies would be harassed.
• Harlequin rasboraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so harlequin rasboras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; harlequin rasboras grow to 5 cm.
• Honey gouramiConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so honey gouramis would be harassed.
• KribensisConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so kribensis would be harassed. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and convict cichlids are one of them.
• Kuhli loachConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so kuhli loaches would be harassed.
• Lemon tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so lemon tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; lemon tetras grow to 4 cm.
• MollyConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so mollies would be harassed.
• Neon tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so neon tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; neon tetras grow to 3 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OscarConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so oscars would be harassed. Oscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; convict cichlids grow to 15 cm.
• OtocinclusConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so otocinclus would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; otocinclus grow to 5 cm. Otocinclus (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Panda corydorasConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so panda corydoras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; panda corydoras grow to 5 cm.
• Paradise fishConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so paradise fish would be harassed.
• Pearl gouramiConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so pearl gouramis would be harassed.
• Peppered corydorasConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so peppered corydoras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so platies would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; platies grow to 5 cm.
• Pygmy corydorasConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so pygmy corydoras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; pygmy corydoras grow to 3 cm. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Red tail sharkConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so red tail sharks would be harassed.
• Rosy barbConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so rosy barbs would be harassed.
• Rummy-nose tetraConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so rummy-nose tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; rummy-nose tetras grow to 5 cm. Rummy-nose tetras (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Serpae tetraConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so serpae tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; serpae tetras grow to 4 cm.
• Siamese algae eaterConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so Siamese algae eaters would be harassed.
• SwordtailConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so swordtails would be harassed.
• Tiger barbConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so tiger barbs would be harassed.
• White cloud mountain minnowConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so white cloud mountain minnows would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; white cloud mountain minnows grow to 4 cm.
• Yoyo loachConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so yoyo loaches would be harassed.
• Zebra danioConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so zebra danios would be harassed. The only temperature that suits both is 24 °C (75 °F), set by convict cichlids and zebra danios. That leaves no margin. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; zebra danios grow to 5 cm.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank