Can african cichlids live with rosy barbs?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. African cichlids and rosy barbs can share a tank, but watch one thing. Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, rosy barbs want pH 6–7.5.

African cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6

Rosy barb64–77°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

Watch outDifferent water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, rosy barbs want pH 6–7.5.
Watch outAfrican cichlids are aggressive. Rosy barbs hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.

What works

Both are fine at 75–77°F.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

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 cichlid	Rosy barb
Temperature	75–82 °F	64–77 °F
pH	7.8–8.6	6–7.5
Adult size	5.0 in	4.0 in
Minimum tank	55 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Middle
Group	Groups of 6+	Groups of 6+
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for rosy barbs

All rosy barb tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with rosy barbs?

Yes, with care. African cichlids and rosy barbs can share a tank, but watch one thing. Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, rosy barbs want pH 6–7.5.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and rosy barbs?

75–77 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, rosy barbs need 64–77 °F.

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

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