Can convict cichlids live with hatchetfish?

Verdict
No

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

Convict cichlidConvict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8 HatchetfishHatchetfish75–81°F · pH 5.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–81°Convict cichlid 74–82°Hatchetfish 75–81°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.6–7.5Convict cichlid 6.6–7.8Hatchetfish 5.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Convict cichlid · 5 inHatchetfish · 1.5 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 cichlidHatchetfish
Temperature74–82 °F75–81 °F
pH6.6–7.85.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in1.5 in
Minimum tank30 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomTop
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietOmnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for convict cichlids

All convict cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for hatchetfish

All hatchetfish tank mates

Questions

Can convict cichlids live with hatchetfish?

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

What temperature suits both convict cichlids and hatchetfish?

75–81 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, hatchetfish need 75–81 °F.

What size tank do convict cichlids and hatchetfish need together?

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