Can convict cichlids live with gold barbs?

Verdict
No

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

Convict cichlidConvict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8 Gold barbGold barb64–75°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 74–75°Convict cichlid 74–82°Gold barb 64–75°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.6–7.8Convict cichlid 6.6–7.8Gold barb 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Convict cichlid · 5 inGold barb · 3 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 cichlidGold barb
Temperature74–82 °F64–75 °F
pH6.6–7.86–8
Adult size5.0 in3.0 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 gold barbs

All gold barb tank mates

Questions

Can convict cichlids live with gold barbs?

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

What temperature suits both convict cichlids and gold barbs?

74–75 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, gold barbs need 64–75 °F.

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

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