Can pea puffers live with african cichlids?

Verdict
No

No. Pea puffers and african cichlids should not share a tank. Both are aggressive, and african cichlids are much bigger, so pea puffers lose.

Pea pufferPea puffer74–82°F · pH 7–8 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°Pea puffer 74–82°African cichlid 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 7.8–8Pea puffer 7–8African cichlid 7.8–8.6
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Pea puffer · 1 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

Pea pufferAfrican cichlid
Temperature74–82 °F75–82 °F
pH7–87.8–8.6
Adult size1.0 in5.0 in
Minimum tank5 gal55 gal
TemperamentAggressiveAggressive
Swims atAll levelsAll levels
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietCarnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for pea puffers

All pea puffer tank mates

Better tank mates for african cichlids

All african cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can pea puffers live with african cichlids?

No. Pea puffers and african cichlids should not share a tank. Both are aggressive, and african cichlids are much bigger, so pea puffers lose.

What temperature suits both pea puffers and african cichlids?

75–82 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, african cichlids need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do pea puffers and african cichlids need together?

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