What Fish Can Go With African Cichlids – The Ultimate Compatibility
Keeping African Cichlids is often described as the closest a freshwater hobbyist can get to a vibrant saltwater reef. Their colors are electric, their personalities are bold, and their activity levels are unmatched. However, their legendary aggression often leaves keepers asking one vital question: what fish can go with african cichlids without ending up as a snack or a victim of bullying?
I know the feeling of staring at a beautiful 55-gallon tank and wishing you could add just a little more variety. You want a community that thrives, not a battlefield. Don’t worry—this setup is perfect for beginners and intermediate keepers alike once you understand the “rules of the rift.”
In this guide, we are going to dive deep into the world of Rift Valley compatibility. We’ll explore the best species to pair with these feisty fish, how to manage their unique water requirements, and the secret “dither fish” techniques pros use to keep the peace. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap for building a stunning, diverse, and stable African Cichlid community.
Understanding the African Cichlid Temperament
Before we look at specific tank mates, we have to talk about why these fish are so difficult to pair. African Cichlids, primarily from Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Victoria, are highly territorial. In the wild, they compete fiercely for rock crevices and breeding spots.
When considering what fish can go with african cichlids, you must account for their high-pH, hard-water environment. Most “standard” community fish like Tetras or Angelfish prefer soft, acidic water and would quickly perish in a Cichlid tank. Furthermore, the sheer speed and aggression of a dominant Mbuna can stress out slower-moving species to the point of illness.
Successful compatibility relies on three factors: aggression management, size parity, and water chemistry overlap. If a potential tank mate cannot handle a pH of 8.0 or higher, it simply isn’t a candidate. Likewise, if it’s small enough to fit in a Cichlid’s mouth, it will eventually disappear.
The Three Main Groups
It is also helpful to know which group you are keeping. Mbuna (rock-dwellers) are the most aggressive. Peacocks (Aulonocara) are generally more peaceful but still semi-aggressive. Haps (Haplochromines) are often large, open-water predators that are chill until it’s time to eat.
What fish can go with african cichlids: Top Non-Cichlid Tank Mates
Many hobbyists are surprised to learn that you can actually keep non-cichlid species in these tanks. The trick is choosing fish that are either too fast to be caught or too “armored” to be bothered. Let’s look at the best candidates that have proven their worth in the hobby.
Synodontis Catfish: The Perfect Partners
If there is a “gold standard” for African Cichlid tank mates, it is the Synodontis genus. Specifically, Synodontis multipunctatus (the Cuckoo Catfish) and Synodontis lucipinnis are fantastic choices. These catfish actually originate from the same African lakes as the cichlids.
They have a thick skin and a prickly dorsal fin that discourages cichlids from nipping at them. Plus, they are incredibly active and help clean up leftover food that falls into the rockwork. They are schooling fish, so I always recommend keeping them in groups of three or more to see their best behavior.
Giant Danios: The Ultimate Dither Fish
When researching what fish can go with african cichlids, you might not immediately think of Danios. However, Giant Danios are a secret weapon for many pros. They are lightning-fast and tend to stay in the upper third of the water column, whereas cichlids usually stick to the rocks and mid-water.
Their constant movement acts as a “dither,” which actually reduces cichlid aggression by distracting them and signaling that the environment is safe. Just make sure you get the “Giant” variety; regular Zebra Danios are far too small and will be eaten within minutes.
Rainbowfish: A Splash of Surface Color
Boesemani Rainbowfish and Red Irian Rainbowfish are surprisingly compatible with African Cichlids. They can tolerate the harder water and higher pH levels required by Rift Lake species. Their deep bodies make them difficult to swallow, and their speed allows them to zip away from any territorial lunges.
The Best Bottom Dwellers for Maintenance
A Cichlid tank can get messy quickly due to the high-protein diet these fish require. Adding a cleanup crew is a great idea, but you have to be selective. Many common “algae eaters” are too delicate for a Cichlid environment.
Bristlenose Plecos
The Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus) is one of the few suckermouth catfish that can thrive with African Cichlids. Unlike the Common Pleco, which grows far too large, the Bristlenose stays around 5 inches. They have bony plates that act as armor against nips.
I always suggest providing a piece of driftwood for them, even if it’s tucked behind the rocks. While driftwood can slightly lower pH, a single piece won’t crash your alkalinity in a well-buffered tank. These guys are champions at keeping the glass clear of green spot algae.
Siamese Algae Eaters
While not from Africa, Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) are hardy and fast. They are often ignored by cichlids because they don’t look like rivals. They are excellent at cleaning up hair algae, which is a common problem in high-light cichlid tanks. Just ensure you are getting the true Siamese Algae Eater and not the more aggressive Chinese Algae Eater.
Mixing Different Types of African Cichlids
Often, the best tank mates for African Cichlids are other African Cichlids. However, you can’t just throw any two species together. Mixing lakes can be risky, but it is possible if you follow a few guidelines regarding temperament and diet.
Peacocks and Haps
Combining Peacock Cichlids and Haps is a very popular choice. They generally share the same open-water swimming space and have similar dietary needs. Since they aren’t as “rock-obsessed” as Mbuna, they don’t fight over caves as intensely. This combination creates a stunning “all-male” show tank that is the envy of the hobby.
Can You Mix Mbuna with Peacocks?
This is a debated topic. Generally, I advise beginners to avoid mixing Mbuna with Peacocks. Mbuna are herbivores and are extremely aggressive, while Peacocks are carnivores/omnivores and more docile. The Mbuna will often bully the Peacocks, and the dietary conflict can lead to “Malawi Bloat,” a fatal digestive issue.
If you are asking what fish can go with african cichlids specifically in a Mbuna setup, it’s best to stick to other Mbuna of varying colors and patterns. For example, Yellow Labs (Labidochromis caeruleus) are the “peacekeepers” of the Mbuna world and go well with almost anything.
Aquascaping to Reduce Conflict
The success of your community depends heavily on the layout of your tank. You can have the most compatible species list in the world, but if the tank is a barren box, they will fight. African Cichlids need visual breaks.
The Importance of Rockwork
Use plenty of holey rock, lava rock, or slate. Create multiple “neighborhoods” by stacking rocks on opposite ends of the tank. This allows a dominant male to claim one side while leaving the other side for the rest of the inhabitants. When a fish is chased, it needs a place to disappear from the aggressor’s line of sight.
Controlled Overstocking
This is a technique unique to African Cichlids. By slightly overstocking the tank, you make it difficult for any single fish to establish a territory or focus its aggression on one victim. However, this requires massive filtration and weekly water changes to handle the increased bioload. It’s a balancing act, but it works wonders for peace.
What Fish to Absolutely Avoid
To keep your tank healthy, there are certain fish you should never put in an African Cichlid aquarium. These mistakes often lead to heartbreak for the hobbyist and stress for the fish.
- South American Cichlids: Oscars, Convicts, and Angelfish come from soft, acidic water. They also have different “body language” and will constantly clash with Africans.
- Goldfish: They are cold-water fish and produce massive amounts of waste. They are also slow and will have their fins shredded.
- Small Tetras and Guppies: These are simply expensive live food. Even the most “peaceful” African Cichlid is a predator at heart.
- Corydoras Catfish: They are too soft-skinned and slow. They will be bullied relentlessly and cannot handle the high pH.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can African Cichlids live with Tiger Barbs?
In some cases, yes. Tiger Barbs are semi-aggressive and fast. In a large enough tank (75+ gallons), a large school of Tiger Barbs can sometimes coexist with less aggressive Peacocks. However, it is a risk, as the Barbs may nip at the Cichlids’ trailing fins, or the Cichlids may eventually hunt them down.
Can I put shrimp with African Cichlids?
Absolutely not. Whether it’s Cherry Shrimp or Amano Shrimp, they will be eaten instantly. In the wild, many African Cichlids naturally hunt small crustaceans. Your shrimp wouldn’t last five minutes in a Cichlid tank.
How many fish should I keep together?
For a 55-gallon tank, a common starting point is 12-15 African Cichlids if you are using the overstocking method. If you are adding tank mates like Synodontis or Giant Danios, you may need to reduce the cichlid count slightly to ensure there is enough oxygen and space for everyone.
What is the best pH for an African Cichlid community?
Most African Cichlids thrive in a pH range of 7.8 to 8.6. When choosing what fish can go with african cichlids, always ensure the tank mates can also thrive in this alkaline range. Most Rainbowfish and Synodontis catfish are very comfortable at a pH of 8.2.
Conclusion: Creating Your Vibrant African Community
Building a successful aquarium is all about balance. While the question of what fish can go with african cichlids can be intimidating at first, following the patterns of nature usually leads to the best results. Stick with species that share their water chemistry, match their speed, and can hold their own in a territorial dispute.
Start with a foundation of compatible Cichlids like Yellow Labs or Peacocks. Add a small school of Synodontis catfish for the bottom and perhaps some Giant Danios to fill the upper water column. With plenty of rocks for hiding and a strict maintenance schedule, you will have a thriving, colorful display that is the highlight of your home.
Remember, every fish has its own personality. Even within “peaceful” species, you might find a rogue troublemaker. Keep a close eye on your tank during the first few days of adding new mates, and don’t be afraid to rearrange the rocks to “reset” the territories. Happy fish keeping!
