Can african cichlids live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and dwarf neon rainbowfish should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful dwarf neon rainbowfish.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Dwarf neon rainbowfishDwarf neon rainbowfish75–82°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°Dwarf neon rainbowfish 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Dwarf neon rainbowfish 6.5–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inDwarf neon rainbowfish · 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 cichlidDwarf neon rainbowfish
Temperature75–82 °F75–82 °F
pH7.8–8.66.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
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 dwarf neon rainbowfish

All dwarf neon rainbowfish tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

No. African cichlids and dwarf neon rainbowfish should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful dwarf neon rainbowfish.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and dwarf neon rainbowfish?

75–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and dwarf neon rainbowfish need together?

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