Can African Butterfly Cichlid Live With Colombian Tetra?

African Butterfly Cichlid and Colombian Tetra CAN coexist, but with some risks. Careful setup and monitoring required.

Detailed Analysis

Temperature ✓ Compatible

Good temperature overlap at 73–81°F.

pH ✓ Compatible

Good pH overlap at 6.0–7.5.

Size ✓ Compatible

Compatible sizes (3" and 2.5").

Temperament ⚠ Use Caution

African Butterfly Cichlid (peaceful) may have issues with Colombian Tetra (semi-aggressive). Monitor closely if attempting.

Swim Level ✓ Compatible

Fish occupy different water levels (African Butterfly Cichlid: bottom, Colombian Tetra: middle), reducing conflict.

Important Notes

  • Colombian Tetra is a schooling fish and needs at least 6 of its kind.

Tank Requirements

Minimum tank size for this combination: 30 gallons

ParameterAfrican Butterfly CichlidColombian Tetra
Temperature73–81°F72–82°F
pH6–7.56–7.5
Max Size3"2.5"
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swim LevelBottomMiddle
Min Tank20 gal20 gal

Check More Combinations

Use our compatibility checker to add more fish and plan your complete tank.