Barbs and tetras with cichlids

[Oli]

So the general consensus from people seems to be a big school of Cherry Barbs will be okay with Electric Blue Acaras but a big school of Cardinal Tetras will become a meal pretty quickly. Cherry barbs are only the tiniest bit bigger than tetras so what makes them more suitable to living with cichlids? Thanks guys!

 

[Byron]

Tankmates should be too large for the Acara to swallow. Neither cardinals nor cherry barbs fit this criteria.

 

[AquaBarb]

Cardinals are slim torpedo shaped so they would be a easy for the eba's to swallow. Cherrys are too small also.

You want a more thicker bodied barb or tetra ( Black ruby barb, Bleeding heart tetra for example)

 

[GaryE]

Cherry barbs are bottom oriented fish, which will bring them into direct conflict with a territorial electric blue. The thing is, electric blues are odd fish. Some are very calm, and other individuals are more like the non GMO version - grumpy.
Either way, since you can't predict or control the character of the Cichlid, go with barbs or tetras that are fast swimmers. It isn't just a simple question of predation - you want tankmates whose lives won't be constant misery if they are being pushed around too much.

 

[Oli]

Okay, I’m thinking of getting 5 juvenile EBA’s and a large school of gold/rosy barbs or mix of both. What kind of numbers would you go for in a 55 gallon?

 

[Colin_T]

10 rosy barbs would work ok with the blue acaras. Get male and female rosy barbs so the males display to the females.

Female rosy barbs are bronze. Males are red when mature and displaying

 

[Oli]

Cool, sounds like I finally have a plan Thanks!

So…

-5 Juvenile EBA’s (pray for success)
-10 Rosy Barbs

Would that be considered fully stocked?

Thanks guys

 

[Colin_T]

that would be close to stocked

 

[vanalisa]

That would be a very pretty tank!