Demasoni Cichlid Tank Mates

Demasoni Cichlid is aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 13 freshwater species that pair well with a demasoni cichlid — plus the 165 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 8, 2026 • Full Demasoni Cichlid care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for a demasoni cichlid

  • Red Lip Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Cherry Shrimp ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    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.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    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.
  • Ghost Shrimp ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    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.
  • Japanese Trapdoor Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
    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.
  • Corydoras Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    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)
    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.
  • Upside-down Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Marbled Hoplo ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 14 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Spotted Talking Catfish ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • African Dwarf Frog ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Blue Turbo Snail ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 25–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Panda Loach ✅ Compatible
    Hard care · Peaceful · 6 cm · 18–23 °C (64–73 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–23 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
With caution

Demasoni 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.
  • 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.
  • Amano Shrimp ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Amano Shrimp 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • Amapá Tetra ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °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.
  • 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.
  • Assassin Snail ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °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.
  • Axelrod's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Axelrod's Cory 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • Bamboo Shrimp ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    Expect Demasoni Cichlid to harass Bamboo Shrimp at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.

+ 154 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with a demasoni cichlid

  • Mekong Giant Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Semi-aggressive · 300 cm · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Demasoni Cichlid and Mekong Giant Catfish will hold territory and clash.
  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Demasoni 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: Demasoni 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: Demasoni Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Demasoni Cichlid and Fire Eel are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Demasoni 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 9 cm Demasoni Cichlid whole.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Demasoni Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.

+ 157 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against a demasoni cichlid

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

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Demasoni Cichlid?

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

  • African Dwarf Frog✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Turbo Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 25–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cherry Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • 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 Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Cherry Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Corydoras Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • 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 Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ghost Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • 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 Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ghost Shrimp 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)
    • 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 Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    • 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 Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Marbled Hoplo✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Panda Loach✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 18–23 °C (64–73 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–23 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotfin Corydoras✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • 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 Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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)
    • Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Upside-down Catfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Amazon Puffer⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 8 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.
    • Demasoni Cichlid is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Amazon Puffer — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Amazon Puffer 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 (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Bearded Corydoras 6–7.6) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Bearded Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Brilliant Rasbora⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Brilliant Rasbora 5.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Demasoni Cichlid and Brilliant Rasbora are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add brilliant rasbora in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Brilliant Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Burmese Loach⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °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.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °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.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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 (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Clown Rasbora 5.5–7) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Clown Rasbora is slow and long-finned; a busy demasoni cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep demasoni cichlid in a proper group of 12+ and watch them closely.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Clown Rasbora 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.
    • Demasoni Cichlid is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Giant Danio is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 12+ with plenty of cover.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Giant Danio 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 (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Keyhole Cichlid 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keyhole Cichlid is slow and long-finned; a busy demasoni cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep demasoni cichlid in a proper group of 12+ and watch them closely.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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 (Demasoni Cichlid 10–20 vs Kuhli Loach 1–8 dGH).
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Leopard Frog Pleco⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Leopard Frog Pleco 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Molly⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 10 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Demasoni Cichlid is a notorious fin-nipper — even though Molly is larger, an active shoal will harass its trailing fins. Only safe in a full group of 12+ with plenty of cover.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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 (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Porthole Catfish 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Silver Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Silver Tetra 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Demasoni Cichlid and Silver Tetra are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add silver tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Silver Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Thick-lipped Gourami⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °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.
    • Demasoni Cichlid is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Thick-lipped Gourami — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Zebra Loach⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 9 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Zebra Loach 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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 (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Zebra Pleco 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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: Demasoni Cichlid and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
    • Size gap is too large (250 vs 9 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Demasoni Cichlid as food.
    • Alligator Gar is slow and long-finned; a busy demasoni cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep demasoni cichlid in a proper group of 12+ and watch them closely.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Demasoni Cichlid and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Demasoni Cichlid is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
    • 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 200 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Fire Eel⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Demasoni Cichlid and Fire Eel are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
    • Fire Eel (100 cm) is big enough to swallow the 9 cm Demasoni 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.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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 9 cm Demasoni Cichlid whole.
    • Demasoni 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 12+ with plenty of cover.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Mekong Giant Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    • Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Demasoni Cichlid and Mekong Giant Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Mekong Giant Catfish 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Mekong Giant Catfish is slow and long-finned; a busy demasoni cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep demasoni cichlid in a proper group of 12+ and watch them closely.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~100000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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: Demasoni Cichlid and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 9 cm Demasoni Cichlid whole.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Redtail Catfish 6–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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: Demasoni Cichlid and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
    • Spotted Gar (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 9 cm Demasoni Cichlid whole.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni 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 demasoni cichlid shoal tends to nip at it. Keep demasoni cichlid in a proper group of 12+ and watch them closely.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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: Demasoni Cichlid and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
    • Wels Catfish (300 cm) is big enough to swallow the 9 cm Demasoni Cichlid whole.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Demasoni Cichlid 7.8–8.6 vs Wels Catfish 6.5–7.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Your 200 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Demasoni Cichlid in a shoal of 12+ 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 a demasoni cichlid community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 200 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 a demasoni cichlid

Demasoni Cichlid is aggressive and territorial, so most community fish are unsafe; any tank mate must be large, tough and able to hold its own. It mostly occupies the middle of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Demasoni Cichlid grows to about 9 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 23–27 °C (73–81 °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.

Demasoni Cichlid is a shoaling fish — stock a group of 12+ 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 a demasoni cichlid live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 13 compatible freshwater species for demasoni 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 a demasoni cichlid?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Red Lip Nerite Snail, Cherry Shrimp, Malaysian Trumpet Snail. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with a demasoni cichlid?

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

How big a tank do demasoni cichlid tank mates need?

Start from Demasoni Cichlid's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 200 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

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