TankmateChecker

Can corydoras live with african cichlids?

Verdict

No

No. Corydoras and african cichlids should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful corydoras.

Corydoras

Corydoras72–79°F · pH 6–7.8

African cichlid

African cichlid75–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6

What to watch

Deal breakerAfrican cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful corydoras.
Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.8.

What works

Both are fine at 75–79°F.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Corydoras	African cichlid
Temperature	72–79 °F	75–82 °F
pH	6–7.8	7.8–8.6
Adult size	2.5 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	55 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Aggressive
Swims at	Bottom	All levels
Group	Groups of 6+	Groups of 6+
Diet	Omnivore	Herbivore

Better tank mates for corydoras

All corydoras tank mates

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can corydoras live with african cichlids?

No. Corydoras and african cichlids should not share a tank. African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful corydoras.

What temperature suits both corydoras and african cichlids?

75–79 °F. Corydoras need 72–79 °F, african cichlids need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do corydoras and african cichlids need together?

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