Can african cichlids live with black skirt tetras?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and black skirt tetras should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than black skirt tetras.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Black skirt tetraBlack skirt tetra70–80°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–80°African cichlid 75–82°Black skirt tetra 70–80°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Black skirt tetra 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inBlack skirt tetra · 2.5 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

African cichlidBlack skirt tetra
Temperature75–82 °F70–80 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal15 gal
TemperamentAggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atAll levelsMiddle
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 6+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for black skirt tetras

All black skirt tetra tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with black skirt tetras?

No. African cichlids and black skirt tetras should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than black skirt tetras.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and black skirt tetras?

75–80 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, black skirt tetras need 70–80 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and black skirt tetras need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the african cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.