Peacock Cichlids And Green Tiger Barbs 180gallons

We scrapped the 125 gallon idea because the tank was so skinny, so we grabbed a better-built 180 gallon tank along with a solid wood stand.

Could we now get away with having a school of green tiger barbs as I wanted initially to go along with our peacock cichlids?

I want the tank lightly to moderately stocked - not full. How many cichlids would I do, does sexing matter, and how many tiger barbs should I do?
For bottom-dwellers, we plan on a school of about 10-12 corys, 6-8 yoyo loaches and will have 1 large plecos.

 

Gender matters regarding Aulonocara- Peacock Cichlids. Males eventually achieve vibrant colors, while the females remain gray & drab. Females present will cause aggression between the males. If you go with all male Peacocks, don't buy two males of the same variety. They will fight to the death.
Yoyo Loaches would likely work. Cory cats won't.
Tiger Barbs might survive with Peacocks if all are stocked together as juveniles.
Be sure to research African Haps. Red Empress, Tiawan Reef, MalawI Eye Biter, Venustus, Borleyi, Fusco, so many more. Haps go well with Peacocks, and most varieties are beautiful.

 

We scrapped the 125 gallon idea because the tank was so skinny, so we grabbed a better-built 180 gallon tank along with a solid wood stand.

Could we now get away with having a school of green tiger barbs as I wanted initially to go along with our peacock cichlids?

I want the tank lightly to moderately stocked - not full. How many cichlids would I do, does sexing matter, and how many tiger barbs should I do?
For bottom-dwellers, we plan on a school of about 10-12 corys, 6-8 yoyo loaches and will have 1 large plecos.

I wouldn't advise housing any tiger barbs with any cichlids. You may end up witn either one (or both) killing or maiming the other. Instead, I'd suggest larger rainbowfish and/or giant danios as a top schooler.
Compatibility of Tiger Barbs & Cichlids
And corys won't last long in any cichlid tank, even Peacocks. Rather than corys, I'd recommend clown loaches. I had a school of them in my relatively hard (dGH 16, dKH 7) basic (pH 7.8-8.2) water with Peacocks, Haps and Mbuna. They are very entertaining, active and fun and can hold their own against the Cichlids who also spend much of their time on the bottom of the tank. I have no experience keeping yoyo loaches with African Cichlids -but if you're wanting a school of bottom feeders, I'd go either yoyo's or Clowns.
Which Loach Species Is Best for Your Aquarium?
8 Of The Best African Cichlid Tankmates [Massive List & Care Guide] 2018
Add far as stocking Cichlids, overstocking reduces aggression, and yes gender matters. There should always be more females to males at a ratio of 3 or more to 1. OR You could have an all male tank. This also reduces aggression because the males don't need to fight for spawning rights. To get gender specific Cichlids, usually you have to buy them after their at least 2" long or find someone to take females when Gender is determined.
So I'd say, in a 180 g tank, I'd start with: ~15-20 Cichlids, 4-6 Clown loaches (if you go with those instead of yoyos), 20 rainbows or giant danios, or 10 of each and your Pleco. Hope that helps. That would be on the moderately stocked side.

 

I wouldn't advise housing any tiger barbs with any cichlids. You may end up witn either one (or both) killing or maiming the other. Instead, I'd suggest larger rainbowfish and/or giant danios as a top schooler.
Compatibility of Tiger Barbs & Cichlids

Interesting read, I'm looking into mixing Cichlids and Tigers myself, definitely not against adding rainbows tho, they're awsome fish.

 

Never considered rainbowfish, but they actually do appear to be just what we are looking for. A little bigger size and active.

 

Never considered rainbowfish, but they actually do appear to be just what we are looking for. A little bigger size and active.

I have them in my big cichlid tank and they look great!