Can Clown Knifefish and Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) Live Together?

Clown Knifefish is a semi-aggressive species (7/10), while Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) is moderately assertive (6/10). This modest difference means Clown Knifefish may occasionally assert dominance over Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara).

Clown Knifefish and Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and 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.

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

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Clown Knifefish (6–7.5) and Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) (7.8–8.6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Clown Knifefish and Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 900 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: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Densely covered, Sand (Sifters). 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.