Can African Cichlid Live With Tiger Barb?
❌Not Compatible
Incompatible pH. African Cichlid needs 7.8–8.6, Tiger Barb needs 6.0–7.5.
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Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | African Cichlid | Tiger Barb | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82°F | 74–82°F | 76–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 7.8–8.6 | 6–7.5 | 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 | 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 →Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
beginnersemi-aggressive20+ gal
Tiger barbs are energetic, boldly-striped schooling fish that add constant motion and personality to aquariums. Their orange body with four distinctive black vertical stripes is instantly recognizable. They are notorious fin nippers when kept in small groups, but this behavior is easily managed by keeping 8+ together in a spacious tank.
Full care guide →Other Compatible Tank Mates
For African Cichlid:
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