Can Bearded Cory and Red Zebra Cichlid (Cherry Red) Live Together?

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

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

Bearded Cory and Red Zebra Cichlid (Cherry Red) 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 Bearded Cory (16–23°C) and Red Zebra Cichlid (Cherry Red) (24–28°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

The pH requirements of Bearded Cory (6–7.4) and Red Zebra Cichlid (Cherry Red) (7.8–8.6) 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 Bearded Cory and Red Zebra Cichlid (Cherry Red) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 289 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.

Bearded Cory and Red Zebra Cichlid (Cherry Red) 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.