Can African Cichlid Live With Apistogramma?
❌Not Compatible
Incompatible pH. African Cichlid needs 7.8–8.6, Apistogramma needs 5.0–7.0.
Ad
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | African Cichlid | Apistogramma | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82°F | 73–84°F | 76–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 7.8–8.6 | 5–7 | No overlap ✗ |
| Temperament | aggressive | semi-aggressive | Aggression risk ✗ |
| Max Size | 8" | 3" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 55 gal | 20 gal | 55 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Varies by species | Carnivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
African Cichlid
Various (Mbuna, Peacock, Hap)
intermediateaggressive55+ gal
African cichlids from Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria are among the most colorful freshwater fish. They are active, intelligent, and aggressive — requiring specific tank setups with plenty of rock formations and overstock strategies to manage aggression.
Full care guide →Apistogramma
Apistogramma cacatuoides
intermediatesemi-aggressive20+ gal
The Apistogramma (Apistogramma cacatuoides) is a intermediate-level freshwater fish growing to 3 inches. Semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 20 gallon tank.
Full care guide →Other Compatible Tank Mates
For African Cichlid:
For Apistogramma:
Ad