Can african cichlids live with upside down catfish?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and upside down catfish should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful upside down catfish.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Upside down catfishUpside down catfish72–79°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°Upside down catfish 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Upside down catfish 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inUpside down catfish · 4 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 cichlidUpside down catfish
Temperature75–82 °F72–79 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in4.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 3+
DietHerbivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for upside down catfish

All upside down catfish tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with upside down catfish?

No. African cichlids and upside down catfish should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful upside down catfish.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and upside down catfish?

75–79 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, upside down catfish need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and upside down catfish need together?

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