Can Betta Fish Live With Convict Cichlid?
No, convict cichlids are aggressive bottom-dwelling cichlids that grow 4-5 inches and will kill a betta during breeding.
Why
- Convict cichlids grow 4-5 inches and are aggressive Central American cichlids that claim the entire tank when breeding.
- Bettas prefer the upper water column and will be chased relentlessly by territorial convict pairs.
- When convicts spawn, they attack anything within range including fish larger than themselves.
- Convicts are bottom-dwellers that dig substrate and rearrange tanks, stressing bettas.
- Both species need similar water parameters, which makes the mismatch in size and aggression harder to spot.
What could go wrong
A breeding convict pair will claim the entire tank and attack the betta until it is injured or killed.
If you keep them in separate tanks
Sized for the 30 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
AquaClear 70 Power Filter
Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 30 gallon minimum.
Eheim Jager 200W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 76-82°F window both species need.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.
Better pairings to consider
Bettas do well with peaceful bottom-dwellers like bristlenose plecos or corydoras in 20+ gallons. Convict cichlids do well with firemouth cichlids or jack dempseys in species-appropriate setups.
Related compatibility questions
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