Can Parrot Cichlid and Rummynose Rasbora Live Together?

Parrot Cichlid is a semi-aggressive species (7/10), while Rummynose Rasbora is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means Parrot Cichlid may occasionally assert dominance over Rummynose Rasbora.

Parrot Cichlid and Rummynose Rasbora both frequent the Middle (Open Water) 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 Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

There is no temperature overlap between Parrot Cichlid (26–30°C) and Rummynose Rasbora (20–25°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

The pH requirements of Parrot Cichlid (5.5–7.2) and Rummynose Rasbora (7.3–8.5) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Parrot Cichlid needs 1–8 dGH while Rummynose Rasbora requires 10–20 dGH.

To house Parrot Cichlid and Rummynose Rasbora 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: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Sand (Sifters), Plants - Densely covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Parrot Cichlid is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with Rummynose Rasbora's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

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

Parrot Cichlid and Rummynose Rasbora 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.