Can pea puffers live with firemouth cichlids?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and firemouth cichlids can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 6 inches a firemouth cichlid can swallow a small pea puffer. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Pea puffer74–82°F · pH 7–8

Firemouth cichlid75–86°F · pH 6.5–8

What to watch

Watch outAt 6 inches a firemouth cichlid can swallow a small pea puffer. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Watch outPea puffers are aggressive. Firemouth cichlids hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.

What works

Both are fine at 75–82°F.
pH 7–8 suits both.

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

	Pea puffer	Firemouth cichlid
Temperature	74–82 °F	75–86 °F
pH	7–8	6.5–8
Adult size	1.0 in	6.0 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for pea puffers

CrayfishYes

All pea puffer tank mates

Better tank mates for firemouth cichlids

All firemouth cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can pea puffers live with firemouth cichlids?

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and firemouth cichlids can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 6 inches a firemouth cichlid can swallow a small pea puffer. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

What temperature suits both pea puffers and firemouth cichlids?

75–82 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, firemouth cichlids need 75–86 °F.

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

At least 30 gal, set by the firemouth cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.