I don't own Africans but I currently have 1 in with my Oscars and a GT and they all get along fine. The knife enjoys cleaning up after the Oscars. He comes out at feeding time and grabs all the chunks that the Oscars shoot out and just goes to town. Helps keep the tank rather clean, and I have sand in my tank and he enjoys playing in the sand. Mine has his own terracotta pot that he lives in. Comes out to eat, swims and plays for a bit and goes back in.