Can african cichlids live with clown plecos?

Verdict
No

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

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Clown plecoClown pleco73–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–82°African cichlid 75–82°Clown pleco 73–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Clown pleco 6.5–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inClown pleco · 3.5 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 cichlidClown pleco
Temperature75–82 °F73–82 °F
pH7.8–8.66.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Alone or in pairs
DietHerbivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for clown plecos

All clown pleco tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with clown plecos?

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

What temperature suits both african cichlids and clown plecos?

75–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, clown plecos need 73–82 °F.

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

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