Can Afra Cichlid and Bearded Cory Live Together?

Afra Cichlid is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Bearded Cory is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Afra Cichlid may occasionally assert dominance over Bearded Cory.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Afra Cichlid and Bearded Cory increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Afra Cichlid and Bearded Cory 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.

There is no temperature overlap between Afra Cichlid (24–28°C) and Bearded Cory (16–23°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

The pH requirements of Afra Cichlid (7.6–8.6) and Bearded Cory (6–7.4) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Afra Cichlid and Bearded Cory together, plan for an aquarium of at least 280 litres with a minimum length of 120 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), Established Algae (Otocinclus). 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.

Afra Cichlid and Bearded Cory are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.