Compatibility brief
Can African Cichlid live with Sailfin Molly?
Caution. Check the issues below before buying.
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 (aggressive) and Sailfin Molly (peaceful) are far apart on aggression — bullying or injury is a common outcome in average community layouts.
Assessment details
Aggression pressure — managed pairing
Top issueAfrican Cichlid is aggressive, while Sailfin Molly is peaceful. The aggressive fish will likely bully or harm the peaceful one. Keepers run this combination in large, structured tanks, but it stays a managed risk, not a default community mix.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
“African Cichlid is aggressive, while Sailfin Molly is peaceful”
Aggression pressure — managed pairing
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.
- 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. Poecilia latipinna
Supports: aquarium size, water chemistry, temperament and compatibility (primary care reference).
- FishBase. Poecilia latipinna
Supports: taxonomy and wild maximum size — translate to tank stocking, not a target number.
- Wikipedia. Poecilia latipinna
Supports: general species background and common-name orientation only.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with African Cichlid + Sailfin Molly
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.