Can african cichlids live with pencilfish?

Verdict
No

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

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 PencilfishPencilfish75–82°F · pH 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°Pencilfish 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Pencilfish 5–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inPencilfish · 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 cichlidPencilfish
Temperature75–82 °F75–82 °F
pH7.8–8.65–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal15 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 pencilfish

All pencilfish tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with pencilfish?

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

What temperature suits both african cichlids and pencilfish?

75–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and pencilfish need together?

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