Can Neolamprologus Similis and Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) Live Together?

Neolamprologus Similis is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) is highly aggressive (10/10). This notable difference means Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) may occasionally assert dominance over Neolamprologus Similis.

Neolamprologus Similis and Red Terror (Festa's 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.

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: Two territorial species may clash over territory, especially in smaller tanks.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 25°C and 27°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7.8 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–18 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Neolamprologus Similis and Red Terror (Festa's 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: Sand (Sifters), Shells (Breeding/Hiding), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), 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.

Neolamprologus Similis and Red Terror (Festa's 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.