Can kuhli loaches live with african cichlids?

Verdict
No

No. Kuhli loaches and african cichlids should not share a tank. Different water: kuhli loaches want pH 5.5–7, african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

Kuhli loachKuhli loach75–86°F · pH 5.5–7 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: 75–82°Kuhli loach 75–86°African cichlid 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Kuhli loach 5.5–7African cichlid 7.8–8.6
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

Kuhli loach · 3.5 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

Kuhli loachAfrican cichlid
Temperature75–86 °F75–82 °F
pH5.5–77.8–8.6
Adult size3.5 in5.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulAggressive
Swims atBottomAll levels
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 6+
DietOmnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for kuhli loaches

All kuhli loach tank mates

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can kuhli loaches live with african cichlids?

No. Kuhli loaches and african cichlids should not share a tank. Different water: kuhli loaches want pH 5.5–7, african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

What temperature suits both kuhli loaches and african cichlids?

75–82 °F. Kuhli loaches need 75–86 °F, african cichlids need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do kuhli loaches and african cichlids need together?

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