Top 10 Tank Mates for Convict Cichlids

This video highlights the top 10 tank mates for the Convict cichlid. This list is based on own experience keeping the Convict, along with research and discussions with other hobbyists.

The Convict is one of our favorite cichlids. It can be tricky finding ideal tank mates for them, since some can be aggressive, but hopefully this list will point you in the right direction

Another helpful video:

If you're interested in the products used in this aquarium/video, check out the affiliate links below.

Equipment

Food

Chemicals

Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next week!

[CichlidBros]

Links to food we use with convict cichlids:

[yorkaquariums]

I think Convicts get looked over because of how common they are but they’re one of my favorite fish, if not my favorite. Great video!

[kennethmarrow]

I bought 4 Convicts 3 years ago. Since then, hundreds have been spawned. I had to divide them into 3 tanks, small medium and large.

[bubbalocs]

I always check out your guys videos, this is the fish I wanted to see your advice on, lve kept convicts for over 20 years and still learning, keep up the amazing work fellas 👍

[shaunmarshall]

My convict has settled really well in my community tank, I have a random mixture, rainbow cichlids, an electric blue acara, black phantom tetras, blue gouramis, bigger mollies.

Aggression has been totally fine, he swims around quite often. Doesn't get territorial. A little with feeding time but nothing to be much of a worry.

[Jake-urwf]

Just recently lost my first and only "convict" in the convict parrot that I got. It worked really well for a long time, convicts are awesome! Especially the female ones. Thanks for making this video guys, people deserve to find ways to keep this awesome fish :)

[Boogie]

I just started a 75 gal tank with polar blue cichlids. So this list was just what i needed to see today as i’ve been wondering what else i could put in there with them. I think i’m going to finally pull the trigger on a jack dempsey. Ive never had one before and i just got done watching Boardwalk Empire and Jack Dempsey was in the show so i feel like that was a sign😂

[sleepy_moto]

Just put a juvenile convict, salvini, and firemouth in with my young adult green severum in my 125. They're practically schooling unless someone crosses the wrong boundary. Cant wait for them to grow.

[landonw]

I had what most people consider an overstocked tank, my 55 gallon has a 7.5 inch terror and a 4.5 inch convict with a school of 7 giant danios and it’s also a planted tank but I’ve arranged it in a way where it all works extremely well and I don’t have any aggression issues luckily my terror is a teddy bear and I’m over filtered. All this being said this setup may not work with everyone nor is it recommended but I just wanted to share

[wblake]

The peacock bass for me goes well with convicts.

[edwinosae]

I like to mix the convict cichlid with oscars, pike cichlids, blood parrot cichlids, tilapia buttekofri and severums. Would mixing them with firemouths, jewel cichlids, texas cichlids, jack dempsey, jaguar cichlids be a good mix?

[angieboyshubby]

When you mention 75g tanks, could a 60 breeder work? It is a lot easier for me when it comes to tank maintenance than the taller 75g.

[ToastyRider]

I wish to know if the jack dempsey is good with the polar blue parrot convict??

[Dinglelord]

How many gallon is that tank? Looks like a good tank size for my cichlid tank I’m planning to get

[rtruth]

What fish will be best tank mate for reducing convict cichlid fries? I have pair breeds like rabbits.

[leviice]

I have a convict with a fire mouth and a blood parrot and a golden saum with some silver dollars in a 55 and I’d recommend a blood parrot but I’m upgrading to a 90 or a 110 here later in the year when there not baby’s anymore

[cichlids]

Shockingly I have a breeding pair of convicts in a community overstocked 135 gallon with way bigger ca/sa cichlids and they hold their own and are thriving in it the male convict is pretty big though about 4.5 inches currently and tall body

[SB.Aquatic]

I have a 55 gallon tank and was thinking of getting 1 fire mouth, 1 convict, 1 Dempsey and a few dither fish would it work short term and upgrade a little later to a 75 gallon?

[nwdunegoon]

I just mixed some convicts with my big angel. Hope goes well

[FreeSwimmer]

Welp, Ive decided to change my mind about the Salvini. I keep Southies in my 450g DIY tank and am building a 300g for a bit more "energy" fish.. 2 Oscars and 1 GT and 1 True Parrot and 1 JD and 3 Firemoths and 2 Vieja and 2-3 Black Convicts.. Was thinking Salvini because of cool appearance, however I dont want total chaos so ?