Tank mates for cockatoo cichlids

We checked cockatoo cichlids against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for cockatoo cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, guppy, dwarf gourami, angelfish and tiger barb. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: cockatoo cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Cockatoo cichlids: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 7.5 cm (3 in), minimum tank 20 gallons (76 L). Full cockatoo cichlid care guide.

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Good Compatible tank mates (56)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (78)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area.
- Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
Common pleco · 150+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase common plecos, which use the same area.
- Common pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda corydoras, which use the same area.
Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller African dwarf frogs.
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase African dwarf frogs, which use the same area.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller celestial pearl danios.
Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller chili rasboras.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Cockatoo cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Chinese algae eater defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase convict cichlids, which use the same area.
- Convict cichlid is aggressive. Cockatoo cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Convict cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase electric blue acaras, which use the same area.
- Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Ember tetra · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller ember tetras.
Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase German blue rams, which use the same area.
- German blue ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Jack Dempseys, which use the same area.
- Jack Dempsey may eat cockatoo cichlids, especially young or small ones.
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Cockatoo cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Jack Dempsey defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase julii corydoras, which use the same area.
Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kribensis, which use the same area.
- Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kuhli loaches, which use the same area.
Molly · 29+ gal
- One prefers soft water and the other hard water (GH 2–10 vs 15–30 dGH).
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peppered corydoras, which use the same area.
Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase pictus catfish, which use the same area.
Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pygmy corydoras.
Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase rainbow sharks, which use the same area.
- Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase red-tail sharks, which use the same area.
- Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase siamese algae eaters, which use the same area.
Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase sterbai corydoras, which use the same area.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase yoyo loaches, which use the same area.
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Agassiz's dwarf cichlids, which use the same area.
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase black ghost knifefish, which use the same area.
- Black ghost knifefish may eat cockatoo cichlids, especially young or small ones.
Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Bolivian rams, which use the same area.
- Bolivian ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bumblebee catfish, which use the same area.
Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown killifish.
Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown plecos, which use the same area.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase dwarf chain loaches, which use the same area.
Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Cockatoo cichlid may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase emerald green corydoras, which use the same area.
Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Green terror may eat cockatoo cichlids, especially young or small ones.
- Green terror is aggressive. Cockatoo cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Jewel cichlid is aggressive. Cockatoo cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kubotai rasboras.
Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lambchop rasboras.
Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase panda garras, which use the same area.
Paradise fish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peacock gudgeons, which use the same area.
Ropefish · 75+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase ropefish, which use the same area.
Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy loaches.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase rubber lip plecos, which use the same area.
- Rubber lip pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller scarlet badis.
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase scarlet badis, which use the same area.
Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
- Tinfoil barb may eat cockatoo cichlids, especially young or small ones.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra loaches, which use the same area.
Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra plecos, which use the same area.
- Zebra pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf rasboras.
Flame tetra · 15+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller green neon tetras.
Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Cockatoo cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller least killifish.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (15)

Cherry shrimp: Cockatoo cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Oscar: Oscar can eat cockatoo cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Pea puffer: Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat cockatoo cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Crystal red shrimp: Cockatoo cichlid eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Frontosa: Frontosa can eat cockatoo cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with cockatoo cichlids?

Good tank mates for cockatoo cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, guppy, dwarf gourami, angelfish and tiger barb. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat cockatoo cichlids.

Can cockatoo cichlids live with angelfish?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–28°C (75–82°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can cockatoo cichlids live with bettas?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–28°C (75–82°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can cockatoo cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bristlenose plecos, which use the same area. Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.

Can cockatoo cichlids live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.

Good Compatible tank mates (56)

Angelfish

Betta fish

Dwarf gourami

Guppy

Nerite snail

Tiger barb

Assassin snail

Bala shark

Black skirt tetra

Blood parrot cichlid

Boesemani rainbowfish

Cardinal tetra

Cherry barb

Dwarf neon rainbowfish

Glowlight tetra

Harlequin rasbora

Honey gourami

Malaysian trumpet snail

Mystery snail

Otocinclus

Pearl gourami

Platy

Ramshorn snail

Rummy-nose tetra

Silver dollar

Three spot gourami

X-ray tetra

African butterfly fish

Black neon tetra

Black phantom tetra

Bleeding heart tetra

Bloodfin tetra

Congo tetra

Diamond tetra

Emperor tetra

Forktail blue-eye

Glass catfish

Golden wonder killifish

Head and tail light tetra

Kissing gourami

Lemon tetra

Penguin tetra

Rabbit snail

Red rainbowfish

Rosy tetra

Serpae tetra

Severum

Sparkling gourami

Swordtail

Threadfin rainbowfish

Upside-down catfish

Black ruby barb

Keyhole cichlid

Moonlight gourami

Silvertip tetra

Thick-lipped gourami

Caution Possible, with care (78)

Avoid Bad tank mates (15)

Frequently asked questions