Cichlid compatibility

[Hoontar]

Hey - I've got a 25 gallon tank, only contains 3 barbs and a "yellow lab" cichlid right now (roughly 7.5" fish total). I'm looking to purchase another cichlid (one of those common blue/black striped ones - forget the name) and was wondering if it will get along ok with the other fish - or if I should take anything into consideration when adding my next cichlid... I don't want it to duke it out with the other cichlid or eat the barbs!

Thanks for any advice.

 

[unwritten law]

what kind of barbs? But I'd say no cause the tank is too small and territorial issues will come up most likely since I think your talking about an african.

 

[Hoontar]

Oddessa Barbs, there seems to be a lot of extra space in the tank, and my cichlid's growth has stabilized - I've also got a 50 gallon filter on it, still think it wouldn't work?

 

[RexyTexel]

It's not so much the bioload as it is the actual space for cichlids(In your case, that is). They like to have their own territory and if another fish is even creeping into their area they'll get very aggressive. So if the new cichlid wants the entire 25 as his own territory you'll have some aggression issues.

 

[jo3olous]

African cichlids are easiest to manage in a larger tank 50G+ , but that debate is long over. Still I wouldn't recommend any more african cichlids, nor do I recommend you keep yours in a 25 with other fish, if you do it's okay though