Can bristlenose plecos live with african cichlids?

Verdict
No

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

Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco73–81°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: 75–81°Bristlenose pleco 73–81°African cichlid 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Bristlenose pleco 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

Bristlenose pleco · 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

Bristlenose plecoAfrican cichlid
Temperature73–81 °F75–82 °F
pH6.5–7.57.8–8.6
Adult size5.0 in5.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulAggressive
Swims atBottomAll levels
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietHerbivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos

All bristlenose pleco tank mates

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can bristlenose plecos live with african cichlids?

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

What temperature suits both bristlenose plecos and african cichlids?

75–81 °F. Bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F, african cichlids need 75–82 °F.

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

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