Can Bee Shrimp and Black Belt Cichlid Live Together?

Bee Shrimp is a peaceful species (0/10), while Black Belt Cichlid is semi-aggressive (8/10). This notable difference means Black Belt Cichlid may occasionally assert dominance over Bee Shrimp.

Large aggression gap (8 points) between Bee Shrimp and Black Belt Cichlid increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Bee Shrimp and Black Belt Cichlid 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.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Aggressive fish may bully and stress shy, slow-moving species.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 24°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 24.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Bee Shrimp (5.5–6.8) and Black Belt Cichlid (7–8) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Bee Shrimp needs 3–6 dGH while Black Belt Cichlid requires 8–20 dGH.

To house Bee Shrimp and Black Belt Cichlid together, plan for an aquarium of at least 450 litres with a minimum length of 150 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: Soil / Nutrient Rich, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Bee Shrimp requires Soil / Nutrient Rich, while Black Belt Cichlid requires Sand (Sifters). These substrate types may be difficult to provide simultaneously. Black Belt Cichlid is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with Bee Shrimp's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

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

Bee Shrimp and Black Belt Cichlid 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.