Can african cichlids live with sparkling gouramis?

Verdict
No

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

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Sparkling gouramiSparkling gourami72–82°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–82°African cichlid 75–82°Sparkling gourami 72–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Sparkling gourami 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inSparkling gourami · 1.5 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 cichlidSparkling gourami
Temperature75–82 °F72–82 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in1.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal5 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsTop
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 4+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for sparkling gouramis

All sparkling gourami tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with sparkling gouramis?

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

What temperature suits both african cichlids and sparkling gouramis?

75–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, sparkling gouramis need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and sparkling gouramis need together?

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