Compatibility brief
Can African Cichlid live with Neon Tetra?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: low
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
200L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 200L (larger active fish often want more length).
African Cichlid (15cm adult) may treat small Neon Tetra (~4cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
African Cichlid (aggressive) and Neon Tetra (peaceful) are far apart on aggression — bullying or injury is a common outcome in average community layouts.
Assessment details
Aggression mismatch
Top issueAfrican Cichlid is aggressive, while Neon Tetra is peaceful. The aggressive fish will likely bully or harm the peaceful one.
Narrow temperature overlap
African Cichlid and Neon Tetra have only a narrow shared temperature range. Maintaining stable water temperature will be important.
Incompatible pH requirements
African Cichlid prefers pH 7.8–9 and Neon Tetra prefers pH 6–7. Their ranges do not overlap.
Hardness preference mismatch
African Cichlid prefers hard water and Neon Tetra prefers soft water. One of them lives outside its comfort band long-term — pick the tank's water for the more sensitive species.
“African Cichlid is aggressive, while Neon Tetra is peaceful”
Aggression mismatch
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •African Cichlid should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
- •Neon Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
Try instead
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- Practical Fishkeeping. The Mbuna keeper’s survival guide
Primary: editor-written Malawi mbuna system setup, stocking philosophy, and aggression; use when planning a rock-scape, hard/alkaline rift system.
- Practical Fishkeeping. What’s the best Lake Malawi cichlid for beginners?
Primary: beginner-oriented Malawi cichlid planning, species picks, and tank/rockwork expectations. This profile is still a group placeholder, not one binomial.
- Seriously Fish. Paracheirodon innesi
Supports: aquarium size, water chemistry, temperament and compatibility (primary care reference).
- FishBase. Paracheirodon innesi
Supports: taxonomy and wild maximum size — translate to tank stocking, not a target number.
- Wikipedia. Paracheirodon innesi
Supports: general species background and common-name orientation only.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with African Cichlid + Neon Tetra
Plan further
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: medium. Driven by the lower-confidence profile (African Cichlid): Typical care sources — trade names for this fish get mixed up, so verify the ID before you buy.