Can convict cichlids live with pencilfish?

Verdict
No

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

Convict cichlidConvict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8 PencilfishPencilfish75–82°F · pH 5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–82°Convict cichlid 74–82°Pencilfish 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.6–7.5Convict cichlid 6.6–7.8Pencilfish 5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Convict cichlid · 5 inPencilfish · 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 cichlidPencilfish
Temperature74–82 °F75–82 °F
pH6.6–7.85–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal15 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 pencilfish

All pencilfish tank mates

Questions

Can convict cichlids live with pencilfish?

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

What temperature suits both convict cichlids and pencilfish?

75–82 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do convict cichlids and pencilfish need together?

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