Can African Butterfly Cichlid and Pacific Sturgeon Live Together?

Both African Butterfly Cichlid and Pacific Sturgeon are generally mild-mannered species with an aggression score of 3/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

African Butterfly Cichlid and Pacific Sturgeon 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 African Butterfly Cichlid (23–27°C) and Pacific Sturgeon (10–22°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house African Butterfly Cichlid and Pacific Sturgeon together, plan for an aquarium of at least 20000 litres with a minimum length of 600 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), Plants - Densely covered, 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.