Can african cichlids live with clown loaches?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and clown loaches should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful clown loaches.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Clown loachClown loach77–86°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 77–82°African cichlid 75–82°Clown loach 77–86°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Clown loach 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inClown loach · 8 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"7"8"
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 cichlidClown loach
Temperature75–82 °F77–86 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in8.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal75 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 5+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for clown loaches

All clown loach tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with clown loaches?

No. African cichlids and clown loaches should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful clown loaches.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and clown loaches?

77–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, clown loaches need 77–86 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and clown loaches need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the clown loach. Add space for each extra fish.