What other types of fish are compatible with (small-medium sized) african cichlids?

Question

I am interested in starting my own fish tank. I have had my eye on a 55gal tank and i definitely want to put some african cichlids in it, what other fish can i add to the family??

Answer 1

Cichlids are very aggressive and will normally attack it tank mates however if you can find another cichlid that is about the size of your african cichlid you should be fine. The fish may fight for territory so add a lot of caves and cover. You can add bottom dwelling but you might lose a couple before the cichlid stops attacking them.

Answer 2

You can add some bottom dwellers such as cleaning fish. But be super careful, cichlids are very aggressive and will even kill there own kind. Just keep the cichlids if you really want them, don't add anything else but cleaning fish.

Answer 3

here are the fish i have kept personally successfully with my africans

giant danios

buenos aires tetras

short finned serpae tetras

bristlenose plecoes

Answer 4

there are a couple of them ill send u a chart then just read it

the first 1st chart is for many freshwater fish the 2nd is for different species of cichlid hope it helps BUT DONT PUT A SMALLER FISH IN THEIR OR IT WILL EAT IT TRY AND GET A SLIGHTLY BIGGER FISH AND BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN MOVE THE PLANTS AROUND TO CONFUSE THE FIRST ONES AND THE NEW ONE SO THE OLD ONE DOESNT AMBUSH IT ALSO WITH THE SIZE CHICLIDS GET U DONT WANT TO ADD ANYMORE FISH BECAUSE THEY WILL NEED 55 GALLONS OR MORE ONCE THEY ARE FULL GROWN AND IF THEIR IS MORE THAN 5 OTHER FISH OF THAT SAME SIZE IT WILL CUT DOWN THE LIFESPAN

Answer 5

We have sucessfully kept synodontis catfish with a cichlids in the past. They are awsome fish to keep, they tend to be a little shy when they are little but all the ones we've had up till adulthood they are playful, almost like cats. I can't wait till the babies I have now grow up. Oddly enough I also have a weather loach thats lived with my cichlids for awhile now.  Good luck.