Can african cichlids live with otocinclus?

Verdict
No

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

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 OtocinclusOtocinclus72–79°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°Otocinclus 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Otocinclus 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inOtocinclus · 2 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 cichlidOtocinclus
Temperature75–82 °F72–79 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 6+
DietHerbivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for otocinclus

All otocinclus tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with otocinclus?

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

What temperature suits both african cichlids and otocinclus?

75–79 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, otocinclus need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and otocinclus need together?

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