Compatibility Report
GuideMyTank compatibility analysis for Convict Cichlid and Reticulated Hillstream Loach.
Planning verdict
cautionOnly plan this pair if every listed condition can be met, and have a separation plan if stress or aggression appears.
No automatic safety blocker was found.
Convict Cichlid and Reticulated Hillstream Loach receive a conditional verdict from the current structured assessment. Convict Cichlid is recorded as aggressive with an aggression level of 8/10; Reticulated Hillstream Loach is recorded as peaceful with an aggression level of 2/10. The recommendation is based on the combined water, space, behavior, grouping, and predation checks below rather than on species names alone.
Convict Cichlid has a recorded temperature range of 75–82°F and pH range of 6.6–7.8. Reticulated Hillstream Loach is recorded at 68–76°F and pH 6.5–7.5. Their shared planning window is 75–76°F for temperature and 6.6–7.5 for pH. A shared aquarium must stay inside the overlap rather than merely touching each species’ outer tolerance.
Convict Cichlid sets the larger listed base aquarium requirement at 30 gallons; the other listed minimum is 20 gallons. Convict Cichlid is the larger adult by the recorded maximum, reaching 6 inches, compared with 3 inches. These figures are starting constraints, not a stocking-capacity calculation, because the complete group sizes and bioload still matter.
Convict Cichlid is a moderate species associated with the cave zone and moderate flow. Reticulated Hillstream Loach is moderate, uses the bottom zone, and has a high flow preference. Convict Cichlid should be planned as a group of at least 2, while reticulated hillstream loach should be planned as a group of at least 3. The aquarium must support both social structures without forcing either species into insufficient space.
Convict Cichlid is recorded as a omnivore with intermediate care, while Reticulated Hillstream Loach is a herbivore with advanced care. Their listed preferred tank styles are rockwork and stream. Feeding access, cover, open swimming room, filtration, and observation should be planned around the more demanding requirement rather than averaged between the two species.
Use these pair-specific boundaries before treating the verdict as an acceptable stocking plan.
Only plan this pair if every listed condition can be met, and have a separation plan if stress or aggression appears.
These references support the underlying species records used by this assessment. They do not necessarily evaluate this exact pair together.
Continue with the most relevant care and compatibility resources for Convict Cichlid and Reticulated Hillstream Loach.