Tank mates for firemouth cichlids

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

Good tank mates for firemouth cichlids include betta fish, dwarf gourami, angelfish, tiger barb, boesemani rainbowfish and molly. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: firemouth cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Firemouth cichlids: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6.5–8, adult size 13 cm (5.1 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full firemouth cichlid care guide.

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Good Compatible tank mates (27)

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

Caution Possible, with care (91)

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

Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bronze corydoras, which use the same area.
Common pleco · 150+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller guppies.
Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth cichlid may eat neon tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
Oscar · 75+ gal
- Oscar may eat firemouth cichlids, especially young or small ones.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
- Firemouth 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).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller African dwarf frogs.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase African dwarf frogs, which use the same area.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black skirt tetras.
Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cardinal tetras.
Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cherry barbs.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase chinese algae eaters, which use the same area.
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown loaches, which use the same area.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase convict cichlids, which use the same area.
- Convict cichlid is aggressive. Firemouth 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 firemouth 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).
Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf neon rainbowfish.
Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller German blue rams.
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight tetras.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
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.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller honey gouramis.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Jack Dempseys, which use the same area.
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller julii corydoras.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase julii corydoras, which use the same area.
Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase kuhli loaches, which use the same area.
Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller otocinclus.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth 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).
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase pictus catfish, which use the same area.
Platy · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller platies.
Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth 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.
Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rummy-nose tetras.
Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase Senegal bichirs, which use the same area.
Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase siamese algae eaters, which use the same area.
Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase sterbai corydoras, which use the same area.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase yoyo loaches, which use the same area.
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase black ghost knifefish, which use the same area.
Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black neon tetras.
Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black phantom tetras.
Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bloodfin tetras.
Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth 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
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase bumblebee catfish, which use the same area.
Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid may eat clown killifish, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown killifish.
Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase clown plecos, which use the same area.
Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase cockatoo cichlids, which use the same area.
- Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller diamond tetras.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Firemouth 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.
- Firemouth cichlid may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase emerald green corydoras, which use the same area.
Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emperor tetras.
Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller forktail blue-eyes.
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 is aggressive. Firemouth cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid may eat lambchop rasboras, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lambchop rasboras.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid may eat marbled hatchetfish, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth 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).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller odessa barbs.
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth 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
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peacock gudgeons.
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase peacock gudgeons, which use the same area.
Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller penguin tetras.
Ropefish · 75+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase ropefish, which use the same area.
Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy tetras.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid may eat sparkling gouramis, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sparkling gouramis.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller threadfin rainbowfish.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase zebra loaches, which use the same area.
Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.
Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black ruby barbs.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller checkerboard barbs.
Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Firemouth cichlid may eat glowlight danios, especially young or small ones.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pearl danios.
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
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.
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller variatus platies.

Avoid Bad tank mates (31)

Cherry shrimp: Firemouth cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Firemouth cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Firemouth cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Nerite snail: Firemouth cichlid eats snails, including nerite snails.
Assassin snail: Firemouth cichlid eats snails, including assassin snails.
Celestial pearl danio: Firemouth cichlid can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Chili rasbora: Firemouth cichlid can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Firemouth 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. Firemouth cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Ember tetra: Firemouth cichlid can eat ember tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Malaysian trumpet snail: Firemouth cichlid eats snails, including Malaysian trumpet snails.
Mystery snail: Firemouth cichlid eats snails, including mystery snails.
Pea puffer: Firemouth cichlid can eat pea puffers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. 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. Firemouth cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Pygmy corydoras: Firemouth cichlid can eat pygmy corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Ramshorn snail: Firemouth cichlid eats snails, including ramshorn snails.
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. Firemouth cichlids don't belong in that setup.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Firemouth cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Crystal red shrimp: Firemouth 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. Firemouth cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Endler's livebearer: Firemouth cichlid can eat Endler's livebearers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Frontosa: 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. Firemouth cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Kubotai rasbora: Firemouth cichlid can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Rabbit snail: Firemouth cichlid eats snails, including rabbit snails.
Rosy loach: Firemouth cichlid can eat rosy loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Scarlet badis: Firemouth cichlid can eat scarlet badis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
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. Firemouth cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Dwarf rasbora: Firemouth cichlid can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Flame tetra: Firemouth cichlid can eat flame tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Green neon tetra: Firemouth cichlid can eat green neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Least killifish: Firemouth cichlid can eat least killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with firemouth cichlids?

Good tank mates for firemouth cichlids include betta fish, dwarf gourami, angelfish, tiger barb, boesemani rainbowfish and molly. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat firemouth cichlids.

Can firemouth cichlids live with angelfish?

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

Can firemouth cichlids live with bettas?

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

Can firemouth cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?

Sometimes, with care. Firemouth 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 firemouth cichlids, which use the same area.

Can firemouth cichlids live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Firemouth 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.

Tank mates for firemouth cichlids

Good Compatible tank mates (27)

Angelfish

Betta fish

Dwarf gourami

Tiger barb

Bala shark

Blood parrot cichlid

Boesemani rainbowfish

Molly

Pearl gourami

Silver dollar

Three spot gourami

African butterfly fish

Bleeding heart tetra

Congo tetra

Glass catfish

Golden wonder killifish

Jewel cichlid

Kissing gourami

Red rainbowfish

Serpae tetra

Severum

Swordtail

Tinfoil barb

Upside-down catfish

Keyhole cichlid

Moonlight gourami

Thick-lipped gourami

Caution Possible, with care (91)

Avoid Bad tank mates (31)

Frequently asked questions