Can african cichlids live with odessa barbs?

Verdict
No

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

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Odessa barbOdessa barb70–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–79°African cichlid 75–82°Odessa barb 70–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Odessa barb 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inOdessa barb · 3 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 cichlidOdessa barb
Temperature75–82 °F70–79 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 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 odessa barbs

All odessa barb tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with odessa barbs?

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

What temperature suits both african cichlids and odessa barbs?

75–79 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, odessa barbs need 70–79 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and odessa barbs need together?

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