Panama Convict Cichlid Tank Mates
Panama Convict Cichlid is aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 26 freshwater species that pair well with a panama convict cichlid — plus the 229 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.
The best tank mates for a panama convict cichlid
- Corydoras Catfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 6.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Spotfin Corydoras ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 6.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Peppered Corydoras ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 7 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Spotted Corydoras ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 7 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Burmese Loach ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 9 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Kuhli Loach ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Porthole Catfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Upside-down Catfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bristlenose Pleco ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Giant Kuhli Loach ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–30 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Rubber Lip Pleco ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Marbled Hoplo ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 14 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Spotted Talking Catfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Weather Loach ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 25 cm · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Sterbai Corydoras ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 6.5 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Pantanal Corydoras ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Clown Pleco ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 9 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Leopard Frog Pleco ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 9 cm · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 25–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Zebra Loach ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 9 cm · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Bearded Corydoras ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Medusa Pleco ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 26–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Spotted Rubbernose Pleco ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Striped Eel Loach ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Banjo Catfish ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
Panama Convict Cichlid tank mates that can work with care
- Adolf's Cory ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Peaceful · 5.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid may bully the smaller Adolf's Cory, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
- Agassiz's Corydoras ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Peaceful · 6 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid may bully the smaller Agassiz's Corydoras, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
- Amano Shrimp ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)Adult Amano Shrimp might survive with Panama Convict Cichlid, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
- Amazon Puffer ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid clearly outsizes Amazon Puffer and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Assassin Snail ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid may bully the smaller Assassin Snail, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
- Axelrod's Cory ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid may bully the smaller Axelrod's Cory, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
- Bamboo Shrimp ⚠️ With cautionMedium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Bamboo Shrimp at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Bandit Corydoras ⚠️ With cautionEasy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid may bully the smaller Bandit Corydoras, though its armour makes it a hard meal — give it caves and driftwood to retreat into.
+ 77 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.
Fish to avoid keeping with a panama convict cichlid
- Mekong Giant Catfish ⛔ AvoidHard care · Semi-aggressive · 300 cm · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid and Mekong Giant Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Wels Catfish ⛔ AvoidHard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid and Wels Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Alligator Gar ⛔ AvoidHard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid and Alligator Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Redtail Catfish ⛔ AvoidHard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid and Redtail Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Fire Eel ⛔ AvoidMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Panama Convict Cichlid and Fire Eel will hold territory and clash.
- Clown Knifefish ⛔ AvoidHard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Panama Convict Cichlid and Clown Knifefish will hold territory and clash.
- Koi ⛔ AvoidMedium care · Peaceful · 90 cm · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
- Spotted Gar ⛔ AvoidHard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)Panama Convict Cichlid and Spotted Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
+ 221 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.
Check any fish against a panama convict cichlid
Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against a panama convict cichlid, with the reasoning for each verdict.
Tank-mate checker
Will it live with a Panama Convict Cichlid?
We compare each fish against your panama convict cichlid on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Banjo Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Bearded Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Bearded Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bristlenose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Burmese Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Clown Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Corydoras Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Giant Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–30 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Kuhli Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Leopard Frog Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 25–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Marbled Hoplo✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Medusa Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 26–30 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Pantanal Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Pantanal Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Peppered Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Peppered Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Porthole Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Rubber Lip Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Snowball Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 16 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Spotted Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotted Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Rubbernose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Spotted Talking Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Striped Eel Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Upside-down Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Weather Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 25 cm · Easy care · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Zebra Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Zebra Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 10 cm · Hard care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 26–30 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Boesemani Rainbowfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 11 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Boesemani Rainbowfish at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Boesemani Rainbowfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Brilliant Rasbora⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Brilliant Rasbora — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Brilliant Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Rasbora⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Clown Rasbora are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add clown rasbora in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Clown Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Denison Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 18–25 °C (64–77 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Denison Barb are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add denison barb in a group to spread the pressure.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Denison Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Discus⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 20 cm · Hard care · 28–31 °C (82–88 °F)
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Discus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Giant Betta⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Giant Betta at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Giant Danio⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 20–27 °C (68–81 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Giant Danio — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Giant Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Giant Glass Catfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Giant Glass Catfish at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keyhole Cichlid⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Keyhole Cichlid at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Mascara Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Mascara Barb at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Mascara Barb in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Molly⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Molly are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add molly in a group to spread the pressure.
- Moonlight Gourami⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Moonlight Gourami are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add moonlight gourami in a group to spread the pressure.
- Murray River Rainbowfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 11 cm · Easy care · 15–26 °C (59–79 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Murray River Rainbowfish at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Murray River Rainbowfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Pearl Gourami⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Pearl Gourami at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Silver Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Silver Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Silver Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Thick-lipped Gourami⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Expect Panama Convict Cichlid to harass Thick-lipped Gourami at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Alligator Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Panama Convict Cichlid is bite-sized to a 250 cm predatory alligator gar — it will be eaten.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Panama Convict Cichlid and Clown Knifefish will hold territory and clash.
- Clown Knifefish (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 15 cm Panama Convict Cichlid whole.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Panama Convict Cichlid and Fire Eel will hold territory and clash.
- Size gap is too large (100 vs 15 cm): Fire Eel will treat Panama Convict Cichlid as food.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Mekong Giant Catfish⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Mekong Giant Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~100000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Redtail Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (120 vs 15 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Panama Convict Cichlid as food.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Spotted Gar are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Panama Convict Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Panama Convict Cichlid and Wels Catfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (300 vs 15 cm): Wels Catfish will treat Panama Convict Cichlid as food.
- Your 150 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Setting up a panama convict cichlid community tank
Give the group a stable, planted 150 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.
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How to choose the right tank mates for a panama convict cichlid
Panama Convict Cichlid is aggressive and territorial, so most community fish are unsafe; any tank mate must be large, tough and able to hold its own. It mostly occupies the middle of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.
Panama Convict Cichlid grows to about 15 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 8 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 24–30 °C (75–86 °F), pH 7–8 and 8–20 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.
Panama Convict Cichlid doesn't need its own kind to feel secure; think twice before keeping more than one if it is territorial. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.
Frequently asked questions
Can a panama convict cichlid live with other fish?
Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 26 compatible freshwater species for panama convict cichlid. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.
What is the best tank mate for a panama convict cichlid?
Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Corydoras Catfish, Spotfin Corydoras, Peppered Corydoras. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.
What fish should you avoid keeping with a panama convict cichlid?
Avoid Mekong Giant Catfish, Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.
How big a tank do panama convict cichlid tank mates need?
Start from Panama Convict Cichlid's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 150 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.