Can african cichlids live with serpae tetras?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and serpae tetras should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than serpae tetras.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Serpae tetraSerpae tetra72–79°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°Serpae tetra 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Serpae tetra 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inSerpae tetra · 1.75 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 cichlidSerpae tetra
Temperature75–82 °F72–79 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in1.75 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentAggressiveSemi-aggressive
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 serpae tetras

All serpae tetra tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with serpae tetras?

No. African cichlids and serpae tetras should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than serpae tetras.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and serpae tetras?

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

What size tank do african cichlids and serpae tetras need together?

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