Afra Cichlid Tank Mates

Afra Cichlid is semi-aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 7 freshwater species that pair well with an afra cichlid — plus the 131 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 7, 2026 • Full Afra Cichlid care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for an afra cichlid

  • Japanese Trapdoor Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Corydoras Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Spotfin Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Upside-down Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Marbled Hoplo ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 14 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Blue Turbo Snail ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
With caution

Afra Cichlid tank mates that can work with care

  • Adolf's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 5.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 5.8–7.2); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
  • African Butterfly Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
  • Agassiz's Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
  • Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 9 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid 5–7) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • Altifrons Geophagus ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Altifrons Geophagus 5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • Amano Shrimp ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Amano Shrimp 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • Amazon Puffer ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.

+ 194 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with an afra cichlid

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Afra Cichlid and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Koi ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Peaceful · 90 cm · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    Koi (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Afra Cichlid and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.

+ 123 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against an afra cichlid

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against an afra cichlid, with the reasoning for each verdict.

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Afra Cichlid?

We compare each fish against your afra cichlid on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.

  • Blue Turbo Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Corydoras Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Japanese Trapdoor Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Marbled Hoplo✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotfin Corydoras✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Upside-down Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Bearded Corydoras⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Bearded Corydoras 6–7.6) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Bearded Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Rasbora⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Clown Rasbora 5.5–7) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Afra Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Clown Rasbora — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Clown Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Daffodil Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Afra Cichlid and Daffodil Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Electric Yellow Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Giant Danio⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 20–27 °C (68–81 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Expect Afra Cichlid to harass Giant Danio at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Giant Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Golden Wonder Killifish⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Keyhole Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Keyhole Cichlid 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Expect Afra Cichlid to harass Keyhole Cichlid at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Kribensis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Kribensis 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Afra Cichlid and Kribensis can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Kuhli Loach⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 5.5–7); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Water hardness preferences differ (Afra Cichlid 10–20 vs Kuhli Loach 1–8 dGH).
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Molly⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Afra Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Molly — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Porthole Catfish⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Porthole Catfish 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rosy Barb⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Rosy Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rusty Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Afra Cichlid and Rusty Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Afra Cichlid and Tanganyikan Butterfly Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Topaz Cichlid⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Zebra Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Hard care · 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Zebra Pleco 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
    • Size gap is too large (250 vs 10 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Afra Cichlid as food.
    • Alligator Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy afra cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep afra cichlid in a proper group of 6+ and watch them closely.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Afra Cichlid and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Clown Knifefish (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
    • Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Fire Eel⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
    • Different pH ranges (7.8–8.6 vs 6.5–7.5); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Koi⛔ Not recommended
    Peaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    • Koi (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
    • Afra Cichlid is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Koi is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 6+ with plenty of cover.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 10 cm Afra Cichlid whole.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Redtail Catfish 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
    • Afra Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Spotted Gar 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Spotted Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy afra cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep afra cichlid in a proper group of 6+ and watch them closely.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Afra Cichlid and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • Afra Cichlid is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Wels Catfish 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Afra Cichlid and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Afra Cichlid is bite-sized to a 72 cm predatory wolf cichlid — it will be eaten.
    • Afra Cichlid is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Wolf Cichlid is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 6+ with plenty of cover.
    • Your 150 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Afra Cichlid in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.

Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.

Setting up an afra cichlid community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 150 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.

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How to choose

How to choose the right tank mates for an afra cichlid

Being semi-aggressive, afra cichlid can nip or harass smaller, slower or long-finned fish — give it space, broken sight-lines and similarly robust companions. It mostly occupies the middle of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Afra Cichlid grows to about 10 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 5 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 7.8–8.6 and 10–20 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Afra Cichlid is a shoaling fish — stock a group of 6+ of its own kind first, then build compatible tank mates around them. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can an afra cichlid live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 7 compatible freshwater species for afra cichlid. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.

What is the best tank mate for an afra cichlid?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Japanese Trapdoor Snail, Corydoras Catfish, Spotfin Corydoras. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with an afra cichlid?

Avoid Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar, Redtail Catfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.

How big a tank do afra cichlid tank mates need?

Start from Afra Cichlid's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 150 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

← Back to the full Afra Cichlid care guide