What Kind of Tropical Fish Go With Ciclids in a Tank?

There are 2,000 freshwater or tropical cichlid fish species that originated in Africa and South America. Popular species include the oscar or velvet cichlid, the Jack Dempsey and the common angelfish. Most species of cichlids do not get along with almost any other type of tropical fish when they are adults, but they will tolerate other fish when they are young and small. It is essential that research on each species must be done before placing any fish in a tank with other fish.

  1. Same Species

    • Many cichlid species can only tolerate others of the same species. They will attack and often eat any other fish. These species tend to become more aggressive as they age and grow larger than any other fish in the tank. Cichlids can often grow up to a foot long. Their sheer size needs to be taken into consideration when adding any fish to a tank. This species include the discus, the festivum or flag cichlid and Amazonian cichlids. There is also no guarantee that these fish will get along with others of their own species. Cichlids are individual characters.

    Plecostomus

    • Many cichlid species that originate in South America will accept a South American bottom-feeder, the plecostomus or "pleco." There are many species, but the one that does best is the common plecostomus or hypostamus plecostamus. This species can grow up to 2 feet long -- much larger than most cichlid species. It is also topped with a sharp dorsal fin. For the cichlids and the plecostomus to co-exist, they need to be about the same size. There should be ample hiding places, such as a cave, for the plecostumus.

    Other Fish

    • Choosing other tankmates depends on what species of cichlid is in your tank to begin with and how large the tank is. The larger the tank, the more chances the fish will spread out and find their own territory. For example, African cichlids can often get along with Columbian sharks, also known as silver-tip sharks. A small school of tiger barbs, large tetra species or hatchetfish can get along with angelfish, rainbow cichlids or South American jurupari cichlids.

    No Tank Mates

    • Some cichlids just will not tolerate any other fish in their tank, even if the fish is the same size they are. They will fight or eat any other fish. Species known for being solitary include the oscar, the Jack Dempsey and the green terror cichlid. Cichlids preferring solitary confinement are often older and at their full growth. Even if the cichlid tolerated other fish when smaller, as soon as it begins to become aggressive, it needs to be alone for the rest of its life.