Can Bearded Cory and Yellow Lab (Mbuna) Live Together?

Bearded Cory is a peaceful species (2/10), while Yellow Lab (Mbuna) is moderately assertive (6/10). This notable difference means Yellow Lab (Mbuna) may occasionally assert dominance over Bearded Cory.

Bearded Cory and Yellow Lab (Mbuna) 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 Yellow Lab (Mbuna) (24–28°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

The pH requirements of Bearded Cory (6–7.4) and Yellow Lab (Mbuna) (7.5–8.8) 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 Yellow Lab (Mbuna) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 150 litres with a minimum length of 90 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). 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.