Can african cichlids live with jack dempseys?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and jack dempseys should not share a tank. Both are aggressive, and jack dempseys are much bigger, so african cichlids lose.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Jack DempseyJack Dempsey72–86°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°Jack Dempsey 72–86°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Jack Dempsey 6.5–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inJack Dempsey · 10 in0"2"4"6"8"10"
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 cichlidJack Dempsey
Temperature75–82 °F72–86 °F
pH7.8–8.66.5–7.5
Adult size5.0 in10.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal55 gal
TemperamentAggressiveAggressive
Swims atAll levelsMiddle
GroupGroups of 6+Alone or in pairs
DietHerbivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for jack dempseys

All jack dempsey tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with jack dempseys?

No. African cichlids and jack dempseys should not share a tank. Both are aggressive, and jack dempseys are much bigger, so african cichlids lose.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and jack dempseys?

75–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, jack dempseys need 72–86 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and jack dempseys need together?

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