Can convict cichlids live with cherry barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Convict cichlids and cherry barbs should not share a tank. Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful cherry barbs.

Convict cichlidConvict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8 Cherry barbCherry barb73–81°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 74–81°Convict cichlid 74–82°Cherry barb 73–81°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.6–7.5Convict cichlid 6.6–7.8Cherry barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Convict cichlid · 5 inCherry barb · 2 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 cichlidCherry barb
Temperature74–82 °F73–81 °F
pH6.6–7.86–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for convict cichlids

All convict cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for cherry barbs

All cherry barb tank mates

Questions

Can convict cichlids live with cherry barbs?

No. Convict cichlids and cherry barbs should not share a tank. Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful cherry barbs.

What temperature suits both convict cichlids and cherry barbs?

74–81 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, cherry barbs need 73–81 °F.

What size tank do convict cichlids and cherry barbs need together?

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