Can rams live with african cichlids?

Verdict
No

No. Rams and african cichlids should not share a tank. Different water: rams want pH 5–7, african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

German blue ramGerman blue ram80–86°F · pH 5–7 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: 80–82°German blue ram 80–86°African cichlid 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789German blue ram 5–7African cichlid 7.8–8.6
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

German blue ram · 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

German blue ramAfrican cichlid
Temperature80–86 °F75–82 °F
pH5–77.8–8.6
Adult size2.5 in5.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulAggressive
Swims atBottomAll levels
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietOmnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for rams

All german blue ram tank mates

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can rams live with african cichlids?

No. Rams and african cichlids should not share a tank. Different water: rams want pH 5–7, african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

What temperature suits both rams and african cichlids?

80–82 °F. Rams need 80–86 °F, african cichlids need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do rams and african cichlids need together?

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