Can bettas live with african cichlids?

Verdict
No

No. Bettas and african cichlids should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive, and slow, long-finned bettas cannot escape them.

BettaBetta76–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 African cichlidAfrican cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 76–82°Betta 76–82°African cichlid 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Betta 6.5–7.5African cichlid 7.8–8.6
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

Betta · 2.5 inAfrican cichlid · 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

BettaAfrican cichlid
Temperature76–82 °F75–82 °F
pH6.5–7.57.8–8.6
Adult size2.5 in5.0 in
Minimum tank5 gal55 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveAggressive
Swims atTopAll levels
GroupOne per tankGroups of 6+
DietCarnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for bettas

All betta tank mates

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can bettas live with african cichlids?

No. Bettas and african cichlids should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive, and slow, long-finned bettas cannot escape them.

What temperature suits both bettas and african cichlids?

76–82 °F. Bettas need 76–82 °F, african cichlids need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do bettas and african cichlids need together?

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