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What are some friendly African fish for a community tank? I'm just curious.

When it comes to community-friendly African fish, I'd say you've got a few options. Cichlids can be pretty aggressive, so they're usually best kept with their own kind. That being said, Yellow Labs are pretty laid-back.

If you're looking for non-cichlids, you might consider the Congo Tetra or the African Red Eye Tetra - both are pretty chill. The Congo Barb and the African Banded Barb are also good choices. And if you're looking for something a bit more unique, most of the Microctenopoma species are pretty cool.

Rift Valley African cichlids aren't suitable for a community tank long-term, even if you can manage their aggression. The main issue is they demand very high pH and extremely hard water, which most community fish can't handle - it'll drastically shorten their lifespan.

On the other hand, some cichlids like Kribensis are more adaptable. They can thrive in community tanks with normal water parameters, but they do have a few drawbacks. For one, they'll eat smaller fish like neon tetras, and they become quite aggressive during spawning.

Dwarf cichlids from the Congo river can be fantastic additions to a community tank. Species like Lynxachromis and A. thomasi come to mind - both are pretty chill. Pelvachromis is another one, and I'm sure there are plenty more that I just can't think of right now.

oakleyride wrote: ↑Thu Aug 21, 2025 12:25 am Dwarf cichlids from the Congo river can be fantastic additions to a community tank. Species like Lynxachromis and A. thomasi come to mind - both are pretty chill. Pelvachromis is another one, and I'm sure there are plenty more that I just can't think of right now.

I tend to lean towards the rift lakes myself. That point about pH and water hardness is well-taken, and I appreciate the honest assessment. I did see someone mention here that they're "not covered in glitter or rainbows" - love that quote, it's a refreshing dose of reality. Those fish are definitely worth considering, even if they do come with some specific requirements.