New Aquarium stocking help

[roulfi004]

(Umm ok. Let me remove all useless details)

Getting a 28gal tank

I'm planning to put in it my 2 silver dollars, 1 pangasius, and 1 silver shark.
However i would like to add Cichlids. I know most are agressive. Is there compatibility problem?

Can anyone advise on which cichlid would live (if possible) with my 4 fish?
I've seen silver shark and pangasius with oscars and other similar size agressive cichlids (were about 8 inches each). Don't know about Silver Dollars yet. If/when they outgrow their new tank, ill get a bigger one for em or sell them back to the store

My priorities for fish selection are:
1. Compatibility (if not possible with 1 of the above 4 fish, please say so)
2. Hardy
3. Bright colorations


I thought about getting Bolivian Rams, but couldnt find any
I've seen Electric Blue Cichlids (4 inchs) for about US$ 8
I've also seen chilumba (i think) for about $12
Yellow princesses are abundant

Thanks

[willisrad]

I almost think that you already have enough fish to stock both tanks honestly.

But, I'd consider moving the tiger barbs as well since they are known to be a bit nippy.

[roulfi004]

Yes, i agree. But moving the tigers could depend on the cichlid. If they are not so small as to be eaten by new fish, i will just move them too.

[Lady Hobbs]

Silver Dollars grow to about 5 inches. I suggest either sticking with the small cichlids (dwarfs) or community but not to try mixing them.

[cocoa_pleco]

the silver shark gets over a foot long, and they need a group of 3 or more to feel secure, so thats a no. Basically for cichlids dwarfs would be good, like rams and kribs

[roulfi004]

Rams and Kribs then. I'll see if i can find some

Tiger Barbs would survive with a small group of 3-5 inch cichlids?

[gm72]

Survive yes, get along maybe. 28 gallons is not a lot of room to play with. I personally don't have any experience with rams or kribs, but I do have a barb tank. Someone else will be along to help you more. Just remember too that it is not necessarily whether they will get along vs. whether they will be HAPPY. Happy fish are great fish even with a few intermingled clashes.

[cocoa_pleco]

ram's are often peaceful, and most kribs tend to themselves. Ive seen kribs with paradise fish and gouramis

[jessie]

If you go with rams, bolivian rams are generally more hardy than german blue rams, and have similar coloration. I couldn't keep my german blues alive because the water here is way too hard. also, if you are thinking about tiger barbs, you need at least 6 so that they will keep the aggressiion mainly within their own species. Any less and they will likely pick on all the other fish. Have not had any experience mixing barbs with dwarf cichlis, but you generally need larger active fish with tiger barbs. Definitely no on any type of shark or silver dollars for a tank this size.