Can african cichlids live with hatchetfish?

Verdict
No

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

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 HatchetfishHatchetfish75–81°F · pH 5.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–81°African cichlid 75–82°Hatchetfish 75–81°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Hatchetfish 5.5–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inHatchetfish · 1.5 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 cichlidHatchetfish
Temperature75–82 °F75–81 °F
pH7.8–8.65.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in1.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsTop
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 6+
DietHerbivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for hatchetfish

All hatchetfish tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with hatchetfish?

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

What temperature suits both african cichlids and hatchetfish?

75–81 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, hatchetfish need 75–81 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and hatchetfish need together?

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