African Cichlid tank mates
African cichlid tank mates are not a community chart problem — they are a tank-type problem. The live engine currently marks no GOOD companions for a mixed mbuna/peacock plan with peaceful South American fish. Mollies and other livebearers may share hard alkaline water on paper, but this hub parks them in avoid because aggression and rockwork make foraging unsafe. Corydoras, neons, and guppies are avoid for the same reason. Oscars appear only as caution for similarly large bruiser tanks, not as a beginner mix. Run a dedicated hard alkaline African setup, or run a soft-water community — do not split the difference in one glass box.
Common mistakeStocking five males in a 200L African setup is how keepers invent endless dominance fights with no space to dilute aggression. Build a larger hard alkaline system with proper group structure — or skip the African rock tank. Crowding males into a short display never stabilises.
Each name below opens a pair check with African Cichlid. That check is the decision, not the list itself.
Usually safer companions
Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.
None listed here. Use the pair checker with species you are considering.
Risky or situational
May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory or as likely to eat small fish. Adult-size African Cichlid at 15cm is inside that gape range. Both species defend territory. The pairing needs a long footprint and rockwork or planting that breaks the sightline between two defended spots. Oscar is rated aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at African Cichlid. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Fish to avoid with African Cichlid
Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.
African Cichlid is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Corydoras Catfish at 6cm is well within an adult African Cichlid's gape.
African Cichlid is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Guppy at 5cm is well within an adult African Cichlid's gape.
African Cichlid is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Neon Tetra at 4cm is well within an adult African Cichlid's gape.
African Cichlid is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Platy at 6cm is well within an adult African Cichlid's gape.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for African Cichlid: 200L. Group minimum 6 .
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 200L hub.
Easier alternatives to consider
Hardier first-tank names from the library. Still read the profile. Not a substitute for reading this one.
Plan before you buy
Start a pair check with African Cichlid, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.
Tank hubs: 200L
Related reading
Guides that list other fish with the same trait, so you can plan around the group rather than one row.
- Fish that eat smaller tank mates →
African Cichlid may eat anything that fits in its mouth as it grows.
- Schooling & group fish →
Plan the group of 6+ before choosing tank mates.
Filtration & heating
A 200L minimum tank for African Cichlid needs a filter rated for at least 800L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 24–28°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Convict cichlid · min 200L
- Discus · min 200L
- Firemouth Cichlid · min 200L
- Jack Dempsey · min 200L
- Keyhole cichlid · min 200L
- Rainbow cichlid · min 200L
- Angelfish · min 150L
- Electric Blue Acara · min 150L
Related (care + temperament)
Other species that list African Cichlid
Reverse lookup: these profiles reference African Cichlid under safe or “best with” lists.
Featured compatibility checks
Curated pair pages for African Cichlid. Each opens a full verdict — not just a list label.
African Cichlid tank mates — quick answers
- What fish can live with African Cichlid?
- This hub has no “usually safer” (GOOD) companions for African Cichlid. Workable neighbours sit in caution — for example Molly, Oscar, Sailfin Molly. Treat every name as a pair check, not a shopping list. African cichlid tank mates are not a community chart problem — they are a tank-type problem.
- What tank mates should you avoid with African Cichlid?
- Avoid Corydoras Catfish, Guppy, Neon Tetra, Platy based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.
- What size tank do African Cichlid need for a community?
- 200L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload. A 244L+ tank is the more comfortable long-term footprint. Length and depth matter as much as raw litres for active or territorial fish.