Can convict cichlids live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
No

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

Convict cichlidConvict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8 Zebra loachZebra loach73–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 74–79°Convict cichlid 74–82°Zebra loach 73–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.6–7.5Convict cichlid 6.6–7.8Zebra loach 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Convict cichlid · 5 inZebra loach · 3.5 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 cichlidZebra loach
Temperature74–82 °F73–79 °F
pH6.6–7.86–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank30 gal30 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 5+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for convict cichlids

All convict cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can convict cichlids live with zebra loaches?

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

What temperature suits both convict cichlids and zebra loaches?

74–79 °F. Convict cichlids need 74–82 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.

What size tank do convict cichlids and zebra loaches need together?

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