Planing For A Cichild Tank

[bunty82]

HI, currently i own a 16 g tank. I am so amazed by the yello lab cichild. there behaviour , its so different from their fishes. THey are a true pet, in sense.
As you walk near to there tank they will await for your coming. Also when you put hand in the water. They touch it as if they want to cuddle. I got 4 guppies and 4 tiger barb babies ( though growing fast), and one shubunkin gold. i want to keep some cichild to. how many can i keep

 

[Colin_T]

I wouldn't put a yellow lab in with the tiger barbs, guppies or goldfish. If you want to keep cichlids like African Rift Lake ones then I would suggest setting up a tank purely for that type of fish. They are highly territorial and many become quite agro when they mature.
If you are limited to space perhaps get a double tier stand and have one tank for cichlids and the other for general tropical fish.
You will probably find the tiger barbs have a go at your male guppies too.

 

[dthoffsett]

Also thought I'd point out that mbuna, (rock-dwelling cichlids of Lake Malawi, Africa), which the yellow lab (labidochromis caeruleus) is a member of, should be kept in a minimum 4-ft tank due to aggression and territory needs.