Can African Knifefish and Peacock Bass Temensis Live Together?

African Knifefish is a moderately assertive species (5/10), while Peacock Bass Temensis is semi-aggressive (7/10). This modest difference means Peacock Bass Temensis may occasionally assert dominance over African Knifefish.

African Knifefish and Peacock Bass Temensis both frequent the Middle (Open Water) 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: Aggressive fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species. Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: African Knifefish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Peacock Bass Temensis is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: 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 26°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 27.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 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 2–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house African Knifefish and Peacock Bass Temensis together, plan for an aquarium of at least 3000 litres with a minimum length of 300 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: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Floating, Sand (Sifters). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

African Knifefish prefers Low (Still Water) flow while Peacock Bass Temensis needs High (River/Stream) flow. Consider positioning filter outlets and using baffles to create zones of different current intensity within the same tank.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. African Knifefish and Peacock Bass Temensis 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.