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Convict cichlid

Freshwater Beginner Aggressive

Convict cichlid grows to about 12 cm and needs a tank of at least 24 UK gal. Here's how to keep it healthy and what it lives well with.

Quick facts

Water type
Freshwater
Group
Cichlids
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperament
Aggressive
Swims
All levels
Adult size
12 cm
Minimum tank
24 UK gal
Min swim length
90 cm
Group size
Fine on its own

Water parameters

Temperature
22–28 °C
pH
6.5–8
Hardness
6–20 dGH

Tank & care

Convict cichlid doesn't need a group and can be kept singly; choose tankmates to suit its temperament.

Give it at least 90 cm of swimming length and hold the water around 22–28 °C. Match any new species to these ranges before adding them.

Plan a tank with this fish

Use the stocking calculator to see how many Convict cichlid your tank can hold and whether your planned tankmates are compatible — it's anchored to your net water volume and footprint.

Figures are conservative hobby-consensus estimates for planning. Individual fish vary — always research a species and watch how yours behave.

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