Can Clown Killifish and Jaguar Cichlid Live Together?

Clown Killifish is a peaceful species (2/10), while Jaguar Cichlid is highly aggressive (9/10). This notable difference means Jaguar Cichlid may occasionally assert dominance over Clown Killifish.

Large aggression gap (7 points) between Clown Killifish and Jaguar Cichlid increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

In terms of spatial distribution, Clown Killifish prefers the Top (Surface) zone, whereas Jaguar Cichlid occupies the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) zones. Because they use different levels of the water column, territorial disputes are less likely and the tank will appear more balanced.

There is a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

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

Worth noting: Clown Killifish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 27°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 7. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Clown Killifish needs 1–8 dGH while Jaguar Cichlid requires 10–20 dGH. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Clown Killifish and Jaguar Cichlid together, plan for an aquarium of at least 816 litres with a minimum length of 180 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

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: Plants - Floating, Plants - Densely covered, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Jaguar Cichlid is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with Clown Killifish'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.