I just set up and cycled my 1st fish tank and Im very excited. Its a 72 gal bowfront with rena xp3 and rena 300 watt heater and coralife light fixture. I wanna post pics but it says I cant until I have 5 posts. I really want a colorful cichlid tank. Right now I have 5 tiger barbs in the water just to make sure the water id good and the fish are happy and healthy. So far so good. Im now ready to add my nicer fish. I am thinking a few electric yellows and maybe a few purple cichlids (dont know name) I really love how bala sharks look but people say my tank isnt big enough. I still think I might get a few smaller ones and once they get to big maybe trade them in. What other fish do yall recommed that might fit my needs? What other cichlids will go good with electric yellow?

Bala's grow very fast IMO and they are very skittish so I wouldnt add them to your tank and I dont think Balas and Cichlids would work together.

Do you want to keep your tiger barbs? If so you wont be able to have african cichlids becuase they require a higher PH. Some south american cichlids will be able to live in softer water with tiger barbs and balas. If you decided to go that direction you could also get some danios, rasboras, balas, rainbow fish, tetras and corys. There are lots of fish that are acceptable for a community tank with tiger barbs. Many people say that tiger barbs are agressive and fin nippers, i just wouldnt put them with slow swiming long tailed fish like angels or discus. If they are kept in a decent sized school with lots of hiding places they are fine.

thanks for the help guys.

I had Balas with Oscars before and as a previous poster mentioned, the Balas are skittish. Oscars are the way to go IMO.

but a oscar is way diff than a bala right? and dont oscars get big and ugly?