can jewel cichlids and convict cichlids be kept together in the same tank?

Question

I currently have a tank that I have an oscar in, but he has outgrown his tank. I have purchased a new tank to transfer him into, but I do love the old tank. I think I want a few jewel cichlids. Can they live semi-harmoniously with convict cichlids?

Answer 1

Jewels are African cichlids and convicts are South American cichlids. Normally you wouldn't want to mix Africans and South Americans, but since convicts don't get TOO big (like oscars and parrots) it might be ok if your tank is big enough. I would say at least a 20 gallon with lots of plants and caves. Convicts breed easily and are very protective of their young and the territory they've claimed to lay their eggs.

So just be careful of that and you might be ok.

Answer 2

I would imagine they would be fine together - I would just make sure that you buy them all at a similar age/size and make sure you don't overstock the tank so that they become overly territorial/aggressive. I would suggest no more than 4-6 fish depending on the size of the tank (up to 20-25 gallons?) to avoid any conflicts between them. Though - I know plenty of cichlid tanks with multiple varieties that have no problem :)

Answer 3

I'm not really sure. Go to the pet store and look in the fish book or ask the owner of the store. If they are being kept in the same tank at the store it would be a pretty safe bet. Some cichlids are more aggressive than others.

Answer 4

They can, assuming it's a fair sized tank ( 30-40 gallons at least) and assuming neither try to breed. If either species breeds, there will be considerable fighting and damage to all the fish in the tank.

MM

Answer 5

yes they can i have 1 jewel and 1 white convict with 1 rainbow shark in a 40 gal tank and they all just mind there buisness and dont fight at all my tank is very peaceful so yea it a work...