01
Cichlid tank mates: start with the type of cichlid
Before choosing companions, identify the group your cichlid belongs to. African rift lake cichlids (Malawi and Tanganyika) need hard, alkaline water and are often aggressive. Dwarf South American cichlids such as rams and apistogrammas want soft, warm water and are peaceful outside spawning. Large Central and South American cichlids like oscars, Jack Dempseys and convicts are robust, territorial and will eat anything that fits in their mouth.
Three rules apply to every group. Tank mates must share the same water chemistry, they must be too large to be eaten, and they must be tough or fast enough to cope with chasing. Check your tap water first with a liquid test kit and our guide to aquarium water parameters: a pH of 8.0 suits mbuna and makes life hard for discus, and the reverse is also true.
| Cichlid group | Minimum tank | Water | Typical good tank mates | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mbuna (Lake Malawi rock cichlids) | 55 gal (210 L), 4 ft long | pH 7.8–8.6, hard | Other mbuna, Synodontis, bristlenose pleco | Peaceful community fish, peacocks with aggressive mbuna |
| Peacocks and haps (Lake Malawi) | 75 gal (285 L) | pH 7.8–8.6, hard | Other peacocks and haps, mild mbuna, Synodontis | Aggressive mbuna, small fish |
| Lake Tanganyika cichlids | 20–75 gal depending on species | pH 8.0–9.0, hard | Tanganyikan species of similar size, Synodontis | Malawi cichlids in small tanks, soft-water fish |
| Dwarf South American (rams, apistos) | 20 gal (75 L) | pH 6.0–7.0, soft | Small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, otocinclus | Large cichlids, fin nippers, fast eaters |
| Angelfish and discus | 55 gal (210 L), tall | pH 6.0–7.5, soft to medium | Medium tetras, corydoras, bristlenose pleco | Neon-sized fish (angelfish), barbs, Africans |
| Large American (oscar, Jack Dempsey, convict) | 75–125 gal (285–475 L) | pH 6.5–7.8 | Similar-sized robust cichlids, silver dollars, large plecos | Anything under about 4 in (10 cm) |
German blue ram care guide: tank, water, tank mates and breeding
A peaceful dwarf cichlid for warm, soft water. It lives happily with small tetras and corydoras, never with African cichlids.
Fish speciesApistogramma care guide: the best dwarf cichlids for a planted tank
Dwarf South American cichlids that pair well with calm schooling fish in a planted tank of 20 gallons or more.
Fish speciesAngelfish care guide: tank size, water, diet and tank mates
A tall, semi-aggressive cichlid that needs medium-sized tank mates. See the dedicated tank mates guide for details.
Fish speciesElectric blue acara care guide: tank size, water, diet and tank mates
One of the gentlest medium cichlids at about 6 in (15 cm), a good fit with larger tetras, corydoras and plecos.
Fish speciesOscar fish care guide: tank size, filtration, diet and tank mates
A 12-inch (30 cm) predator: only large, robust tank mates in 75–125 gallons will work.
Fish speciesBristlenose pleco care guide: size, tank, diet, lifespan and breeding
The most versatile cichlid companion: armored, compact and tolerant of both hard Malawi water and soft Amazon water.
02
African cichlid tank mates compatibility chart
Most searches for cichlid tank mates are really about African cichlid tank mates, and especially mbuna tank mates. Mbuna are rock-dwelling, mostly herbivorous cichlids from Lake Malawi that defend territories in the rockwork all day. Below are the companions most often suggested, with an honest verdict for a tank of 55 gallons or more.
| Tank mate | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Other mbuna (yellow lab, Pseudotropheus saulosi, rusty cichlid) | Good | Same water and diet; choose different colors and patterns to reduce fights |
| Synodontis catfish (S. multipunctatus, S. petricola, S. lucipinnis) | Good | Hard-water African catfish, armored and active at night |
| Bristlenose pleco | Good | Armored, stays small, tolerates hard alkaline water |
| Peacocks (Aulonocara) and haps | With caution | Only with the mildest mbuna; aggressive mbuna bully them and diets differ |
| Giant danio | With caution | Fast dither fish for hard water, but needs a long tank |
| Boesemani and other large rainbowfish | With caution | Hard-water tolerant and quick, but may be harassed in small tanks |
| Tanganyikan cichlids | With caution | Similar water, but behavior and diet differ; plan carefully |
| Common pleco | With caution | Hardy but reaches 12–20 in; only in very large tanks |
| Two similar-looking mbuna species | Avoid | Males treat each other as rivals and the species may hybridize |
| Corydoras | Avoid | Prefer softer, cooler water and get harassed on the bottom |
| Tetras, rasboras, guppies | Avoid | Eaten or bullied; different water needs |
| Betta | Avoid | Slow, long-finned and defenseless against cichlids |
| Angelfish and discus | Avoid | Soft-water fish that cannot handle African aggression |
| Oscars and large American cichlids | Avoid | Different water, different size, constant conflict |
| Goldfish | Avoid | Coldwater fish with a different diet and temperature |
| Dwarf shrimp and small snails | Avoid | Eaten almost immediately |
Never mix aggressive mbuna like Melanochromis auratus or Pseudotropheus demasoni into a 55-gallon tank with peacocks. Peacock males need open water and calm neighbors to color up.
03
How to stock mbuna to control aggression
Mbuna aggression is managed with numbers, layout and sex ratio rather than with a perfect tank mate. Keep one male to three or four females for each species, so no single female takes all the attention. Stack rocks into caves that reach the surface to break lines of sight, and keep the tank slightly fuller than a typical community so aggression spreads across many fish. That higher bioload means strong filtration, ideally a canister filter, and weekly water changes of 30–50%.
Add all cichlids at the same time when possible, or rearrange the rocks when you add newcomers, so no fish has an established territory. If your tap water is soft, use crushed coral or aragonite substrate to buffer it; our guide on how to raise pH explains the safe ways.
04
Sample cichlid communities
These examples are starting points, not guarantees, because individual cichlids vary a lot in temperament. A 4-foot 55-gallon aquarium is the realistic minimum for mbuna.
- 55 gallons (210 L) mbuna: yellow labs (1 male, 3–4 females), Pseudotropheus saulosi (1 male, 4 females), 2 Synodontis petricola and 1 bristlenose pleco
- 75 gallons (285 L) mbuna: yellow labs, saulosi and rusty cichlids (each 1 male, 3–4 females), 3 Synodontis multipunctatus, 1 bristlenose pleco
- 75 gallons (285 L) peacock tank: 6–8 male peacocks of different colors, 3 Synodontis and a group of 6 giant danios
- 20 gallons (75 L) South American: 1 pair of German blue rams, 10 cardinal tetras and 6 sterbai corydoras
05
South and Central American cichlid tank mates
South American cichlids are generally easier community fish. A pair of German blue rams or apistogrammas lives well with cardinal tetras, rasboras and corydoras in soft, warm water. Angelfish need medium-sized companions, since they will eat neon-sized fish once grown; see our angelfish tank mates guide. Discus need very warm, soft water and calm partners, covered in detail in our discus tank mates page.
Large Central American cichlids and oscars are a different world. Their tank mates must be at least half their size and just as robust: silver dollars, large plecos, severums or other cichlids of similar size. Even then, a single pair defending a spawning site can turn on everything else, so keep a spare tank or a divider ready.
06
Introducing new cichlids safely
Quarantine new fish for 3–4 weeks before adding them, then acclimate them slowly and introduce them with the lights off. Watch the tank closely for the first days: hiding is normal, but torn fins, a fish pinned in a corner or one that stops eating means you need to rearrange the decor or remove the target.
Cichlids react strongly to sudden changes in pH and hardness. Match the new fish’s water gradually and keep your parameters stable rather than chasing exact numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with African cichlids?
The best African cichlid tank mates are other African cichlids of similar temperament, Synodontis catfish and bristlenose plecos. With care, giant danios and large rainbowfish can work as dither fish in tanks of 75 gallons or more. All tank mates must accept hard, alkaline water around pH 7.8–8.6 and be too large and fast to be bullied.
What are the best mbuna tank mates?
Other mbuna with different colors and patterns are the best choice, kept at one male to three or four females. Synodontis catfish such as S. petricola or S. multipunctatus and a bristlenose pleco handle the bottom. Avoid peacocks with aggressive mbuna, and never keep two similar-looking species together, as males will fight and may hybridize.
Can cichlids live with tetras?
It depends on the cichlid. Dwarf South American cichlids such as German blue rams and apistogrammas live well with small tetras in soft water. Angelfish accept larger tetras but may eat neons. African cichlids and large American cichlids are not compatible with tetras, which are eaten or stressed and need different water.
Can you mix African and South American cichlids?
It is not recommended. Africans from lakes Malawi and Tanganyika need hard, alkaline water, while most South American cichlids prefer soft, slightly acidic water. Africans are also more aggressive and will usually outcompete or injure South American species. Pick one continent and build the tank around its water.
How many cichlids can go in a 55 gallon tank?
For mbuna, a 55-gallon tank usually holds 10–12 fish of two or three peaceful species, kept at one male to three or four females each, plus a few Synodontis or a bristlenose pleco. That assumes strong filtration and weekly water changes. Large cichlids such as oscars need far more space and do not belong in 55 gallons.
Sources and references
Written and reviewed by the handsoffmyhobby editorial team according to our editorial policy.
