Can I keep an African Cichlid with a Convict long-term?

[Freeze Dried Skittles]

I am pretty positive the answer is no, but I was wondering about how long they could stay together.

I got myself a Dragon blood peacock cichlid as graduation present the other day, and put him in a 60g. breeder with a convict.

They both are about the same size... 3-4in... and so far they have been getting along. My convict isn't very aggressive. My main concern was that they need different water hardness or something.

I would prefer to get another tank just for the new fish, but my mother is determined not to allow that as the electric-bill was "too high" last month.

 

[tlindsey]

I am pretty positive the answer is no, but I was wondering about how long they could stay together.

I got myself a Dragon blood peacock cichlid as graduation present the other day, and put him in a 60g. breeder with a convict.

They both are about the same size... 3-4in... and so far they have been getting along. My convict isn't very aggressive. My main concern was that they need different water hardness or something.

I would prefer to get another tank just for the new fish, but my mother is determined not to allow that as the electric-bill was "too high" last month.

I have a convict and african flametail that's been living together over 5 years now. They are in a 180gal. The aquarium size and both cichlids not looking similar may be why I haven't noticed any aggression.

 

[sherlys]

You might get away with it for a while since they’re similar in size right now, but long term it’s probably not the best combo. Convicts are tough and can become extremely territorial once mature, especially during breeding behavior, while dragon blood peacocks are much more peaceful Malawi cichlids.

The bigger issue is that they come from very different environments. Peacocks prefer harder, more alkaline water, whereas convicts are a bit more adaptable and usually kept in softer Central American conditions. There’s some overlap where both can survive, but neither fish is really getting ideal conditions in a mixed setup.

A 60 breeder gives you decent floor space, so if aggression stays low you may be okay temporarily. Just keep an eye out for chasing, fin damage, or one fish hiding constantly. Lots of rocks and sight breaks help. I’d mainly worry about the convict suddenly deciding the entire tank belongs to him one day.

 

[duanes]

Rift Lake Africans, and Central Americans come from the same mineral rich, high pH water, so least that shouldn´t be a problem.
Whether or not aggression will be a problem, may depend of your tank size, and individual need for territory.

 

[Freeze Dried Skittles]

The bigger issue is that they come from very different environments. Peacocks prefer harder, more alkaline water, whereas convicts are a bit more adaptable and usually kept in softer Central American conditions. There’s some overlap where both can survive, but neither fish is really getting ideal conditions in a mixed setup.

Yeah, that was the main thing I was worried about. I'll have to do more research on how to change water hardness, because I have no idea how to.

 

[Freeze Dried Skittles]

Rift Lake Africans, and Central Americans come from the same mineral rich, high pH water, so least that shouldn´t be a problem.
Whether or not aggression will be a problem, may depend of your tank size, and individual need for territory.

Aggression hasn't really been a problem. There is plenty of hiding spots in the tank and both fish seem to stay on "their own side" of the tank. I'll keep an eye on them, though.

 

[Vampire fish]

They will survive both are very hardy. 2 cichlids in a 30 gallon with a rock works.

 

[Omrit]

I am fairly pro-unorthodox fish combinations, so I have mixed African Cichlids with a lot of things.

A single convict is fine with a lot of other fish, but a pair is fine with almost nothing in my experience. This combo will probably be fine.

A note of warning on the dragonblood, they are a hybrid so some have terrible personalities. It's the only peacock that really caused me aggression trouble.

 

[A201]

I believe Dragon Bloods are a Peacock / Mbuna hybrid.

Given enough space, both Cichlids should be able to coexist.

As previously noted the aggression possibilities depend on the individual fish.

 

[Freeze Dried Skittles]

They will survive both are very hardy. 2 cichlids in a 30 gallon with a rock works.

Might need to try that