Can african cichlids live with zebra plecos?

Verdict
No

No. African cichlids and zebra plecos should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra plecos.

African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6 Zebra plecoZebra pleco79–88°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 79–82°African cichlid 75–82°Zebra pleco 79–88°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789African cichlid 7.8–8.6Zebra pleco 6–7.5
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

African cichlid · 5 inZebra pleco · 3.5 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 cichlidZebra pleco
Temperature75–82 °F79–88 °F
pH7.8–8.66–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentAggressivePeaceful
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Alone or in pairs
DietHerbivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra plecos

All zebra pleco tank mates

Questions

Can african cichlids live with zebra plecos?

No. African cichlids and zebra plecos should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra plecos.

What temperature suits both african cichlids and zebra plecos?

79–82 °F. African cichlids need 75–82 °F, zebra plecos need 79–88 °F.

What size tank do african cichlids and zebra plecos need together?

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