Can Achara Catfish and Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) Live Together?

Achara Catfish is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) is moderately assertive (5/10). This modest difference means Achara Catfish may occasionally assert dominance over Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra).

Achara Catfish and Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: Achara Catfish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Achara Catfish (6–7.5) and Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) (7.8–8.6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Achara Catfish and Deep Water Hap (Placidochromis electra) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 1500 litres with a minimum length of 240 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.