Jewel Cichlid tank mates
Hemichromis bimaculatus
4 rated pairings from the Jewel Cichlid care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Jewel Cichlid needs at least 30 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Good matches
2 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp.
20 gal min · 5" adult · Peaceful
Bottom-dweller that avoids conflict; nocturnal habits reduce interaction with territorial cichlid
Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
50 gal min · 9" adult · Peaceful
Nocturnal armored catfish that occupies different niche; less likely to trigger aggression
Use caution
2 · Works in the right setup; read the note before combining.Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
55 gal min · 6" adult · Peaceful
Larger, robust fish that may coexist if tank is 40+ gallons, but aggression risk remains high
Severum
Heros severus
55 gal min · 8" adult · Semi-aggressive
Similar size and temperament; only attempt in very large tanks (50+ gallons) with multiple hiding spots
Also recommended alongside Jewel Cichlid
Species whose own guides list Jewel Cichlid as a tank mate.
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.