Can African Cichlid Live With Honey Gourami?
❌Not Compatible
Incompatible pH. African Cichlid needs 7.8–8.6, Honey Gourami needs 6.0–7.5.
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Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | African Cichlid | Honey Gourami | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82°F | 74–82°F | 76–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 7.8–8.6 | 6–7.5 | No overlap ✗ |
| Temperament | aggressive | peaceful | Aggression risk ✗ |
| Max Size | 8" | 2" | Size mismatch ✗ |
| Min Tank Size | 55 gal | 10 gal | 55 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Varies by species | Omnivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | beginner | — |
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 →Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
beginnerpeaceful10+ gal
Honey gouramis are the gentlest gourami species — even more peaceful than their larger dwarf gourami relatives. Males display a warm honey-gold coloration that deepens to rich amber when breeding. At only 2 inches, they are perfect for nano community tanks. They are also significantly hardier than dwarf gouramis, which suffer from the iridovirus (DGIV).
Full care guide →Other Compatible Tank Mates
For African Cichlid:
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