If "African cichlids" means Mbuna, then NO! Mbuna will shred the fins from bichirs and ropefish. Have seen them do this, even "peaceful" ones like
Labidochromis.
Ropefish are small, gentle members of the family. Keep them with peaceful, schooling midwater fish. And of course in groups of three or more, as singletons rarely do well for long, and often, as you perhaps saw, die for no obvious reason. Good companions are x-ray tetras, glassfish, platies, halfbeaks, five-banded barbs, etc.
Plecs are risky. Sometimes they're okay, but sometimes they rasp away at the flanks of the bichir or ropefish, leaving sores that become infected. If you must have an algae eater, use either nerite snails or one of the bristlenose plecs,
Ancistrus spp.
Cheers, Neale
Hi Yall, i was wondering if anyone knew what is the tankmate compatibilty of the Rope fish? I currently have a 55 gallon at home with 4 African Cichlids, 2 Blood Parrots, 1 Rainbow Shark, and 1 Common Pleco. Would a Rope fish be compatible with my current fish? Ive owned one but i never had it with the fish i have now, sadly it died for some strange reason i dont know. I want to get a new one but does someone own one that can orient me more on it?