Can axolotls live with convict cichlids?

Verdict

No. Axolotls and convict cichlids should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); convict cichlids need 74–82°F. No temperature suits both.

Axolotl60–66°F · pH 6.5–8

Convict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8

What to watch

Deal breakerAxolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); convict cichlids need 74–82°F. No temperature suits both.
Deal breakerFish nibble at axolotl gills, and axolotls swallow small fish. Keep axolotls on their own.

What works

pH 6.6–7.8 suits both.

Water side by side

The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Axolotl	Convict cichlid
Temperature	60–66 °F	74–82 °F
pH	6.5–8	6.6–7.8
Adult size	10.0 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Aggressive
Swims at	Bottom	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for convict cichlids

All convict cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can axolotls live with convict cichlids?

No. Axolotls and convict cichlids should not share a tank. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); convict cichlids need 74–82°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both axolotls and convict cichlids?

None. Axolotls need 60–66 °F and convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do axolotls and convict cichlids need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the convict cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.