TankmateChecker

Can african cichlids live with severums?

Verdict

No

No. African cichlids and severums should not share a tank. Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, severums want pH 6–7.

African cichlid

African cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6

Severum

Severum74–84°F · pH 6–7

What to watch

Deal breakerDifferent water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, severums want pH 6–7.
Watch outAfrican cichlids are aggressive. Severums hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.

What works

Both are fine at 75–82°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	Severum
Temperature	75–82 °F	74–84 °F
pH	7.8–8.6	6–7
Adult size	5.0 in	8.0 in
Minimum tank	55 gal	55 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Middle
Group	Groups of 6+	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for severums

All severum tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with severums?

No. African cichlids and severums should not share a tank. Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, severums want pH 6–7.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and severums?

75–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, severums need 74–84 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and severums need together?

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