Can African Cichlid Live With Silver Dollar Fish?
Incompatible pH. African Cichlid needs 7.8–8.6, Silver Dollar Fish needs 5.5–7.5.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | African Cichlid | Silver Dollar Fish | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82°F | 75–82°F | 76–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 7.8–8.6 | 5.5–7.5 | No overlap ✗ |
| Temperament | aggressive | peaceful | Aggression risk ✗ |
| Max Size | 8" | 6" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 55 gal | 55 gal | 55 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Varies by species | Herbivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
African Cichlid
Various (Mbuna, Peacock, Hap)
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 →Silver Dollar Fish
Metynnis hypsauchen
Silver dollars are large, disc-shaped, peaceful schooling fish related to piranhas — but entirely herbivorous. Their shimmering silver body catches light beautifully in motion. They are excellent dither fish for large cichlid tanks because their calm, open-water swimming behavior helps reduce cichlid aggression. Warning: they will eat every live plant in your tank.
Full care guide →