Can convict cichlids live with ember tetras?
Verdict
No
No. Convict cichlids and ember tetras should not share a tank. Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful ember tetras.
What to watch
- Deal breakerConvict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful ember tetras.
- Watch outAt 5 inches a convict cichlid can swallow a small ember tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–82°F.
- pH 6.6–7 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: convict cichlids the bottom, ember tetras the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Convict cichlid | Ember tetra | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–82 °F | 73–84 °F |
| pH | 6.6–7.8 | 5.5–7 |
| Adult size | 5.0 in | 0.8 in |
| Minimum tank | 30 gal | 5 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for convict cichlids
All convict cichlid tank mates
Better tank mates for ember tetras
Questions
Can convict cichlids live with ember tetras?
No. Convict cichlids and ember tetras should not share a tank. Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful ember tetras.
What temperature suits both convict cichlids and ember tetras?
74–82 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, ember tetras need 73–84 °F.
What size tank do convict cichlids and ember tetras need together?
At least 30 gal, set by the convict cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.