Can convict cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?

Verdict
No

No. Convict cichlids and bristlenose plecos should not share a tank. Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.

Convict cichlidConvict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8 Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco73–81°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 74–81°Convict cichlid 74–82°Bristlenose pleco 73–81°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.6–7.5Convict cichlid 6.6–7.8Bristlenose pleco 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Convict cichlid · 5 inBristlenose pleco · 5 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
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

Convict cichlidBristlenose pleco
Temperature74–82 °F73–81 °F
pH6.6–7.86.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in5.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal30 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for convict cichlids

All convict cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos

All bristlenose pleco tank mates

Questions

Can convict cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?

No. Convict cichlids and bristlenose plecos should not share a tank. Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful bristlenose plecos.

What temperature suits both convict cichlids and bristlenose plecos?

74–81 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F.

What size tank do convict cichlids and bristlenose plecos need together?

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