I have my texas with a GT, some salvini, a midas, a bicher, and a pleco.In the past I have kept one with an oscar, vieja argentea, black belt, clown loaches. Quite a bit of habitable companions to choose from. Far as temp and food, I usually keep my aquarium between 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit and pretty much stick to Hikari cichlid gold for my cichlids with a bit of Hikari masivore. Pretty good results with this food.