Can African Butterfly Cichlid and Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) Live Together?

African Butterfly Cichlid is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) is peaceful (0/10). This modest difference means African Butterfly Cichlid may occasionally assert dominance over Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black).

African Butterfly Cichlid and Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and 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.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both African Butterfly Cichlid and Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations. A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 24°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 23.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 3–6 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house African Butterfly Cichlid and Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 60 litres with a minimum length of 60 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Densely covered, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Soil / Nutrient Rich, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Established Algae (Otocinclus). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: African Butterfly Cichlid requires Sand (Sifters), while Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) requires Soil / Nutrient Rich. These substrate types may be difficult to provide simultaneously. African Butterfly Cichlid requires Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), while Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) requires Soil / Nutrient Rich. These substrate types may be difficult to provide simultaneously. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

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

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. African Butterfly Cichlid and Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.