Can goldfish live with convict cichlids?

Verdict

No. Goldfish and convict cichlids should not share a tank. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); convict cichlids need 74–82°F. They meet only at 74°F, the edge of both ranges.

Goldfish60–74°F · pH 7–8

Convict cichlid74–82°F · pH 6.6–7.8

What to watch

Deal breakerGoldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); convict cichlids need 74–82°F. They meet only at 74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Watch outConvict cichlids are aggressive, though goldfish are big enough to shrug most of it off.

What works

pH 7–7.8 suits both.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Goldfish	Convict cichlid
Temperature	60–74 °F	74–82 °F
pH	7–8	6.6–7.8
Adult size	10.0 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	40 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for goldfish

All goldfish tank mates

Better tank mates for convict cichlids

All convict cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can goldfish live with convict cichlids?

No. Goldfish and convict cichlids should not share a tank. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); convict cichlids need 74–82°F. They meet only at 74°F, the edge of both ranges.

What temperature suits both goldfish and convict cichlids?

74–74 °F. Goldfish need 60–74 °F, convict cichlids need 74–82 °F.

What size tank do goldfish and convict cichlids need together?

At least 40 gal, set by the goldfish. Add space for each extra fish.