Overstocking works to prevent the weak ones from getting bullied on every time. Adding smaller fish such as tiger barbs, danios etc etc, won't really help much, If the dominant cichlids wants to kill the weaker cichlids it will just ignore those non-cichlid type fish. Adding hiding places can also help but if the fish cannot manage to hide, it will cause a big problem. The aggressive fish will just claim it as a territory and chase other fish.
The problem with overstocking is that, if you do not have a large tank and a filter that can handle the bio-load then you will also have some problem. Your fish will get ammonia or nitrate poisoning. Also with too many fish you will also need to do more water change to prevent pheromones from building up or else you fish will get stunted or won't grow. Unless your up to the challenge then go for it. If not then forget overstocking. With overstock SA/CA cichlids. I don't recommend any smaller than a 5 feet in length. The longer the tank the better.
I got about 2 pairs if midas cichlids, a pair of true parrots, a pair of RTM, a pair of jaguar, a pair of RT, pair of blue tilapias and a pair of red tilapias. Also I have a breeding pair of chevron snakeheads and breeding pair of blotch snakeheads. All breeding pairs have about 10-20 inches distance to each other but they only go as far as flaring and never even fight or lip lock. They breed in my 375g tank since March 2011 till now.
The problem with overstocking is that, if you do not have a large tank and a filter that can handle the bio-load then you will also have some problem. Your fish will get ammonia or nitrate poisoning. Also with too many fish you will also need to do more water change to prevent pheromones from building up or else you fish will get stunted or won't grow. Unless your up to the challenge then go for it. If not then forget overstocking. With overstock SA/CA cichlids. I don't recommend any smaller than a 5 feet in length. The longer the tank the better.
I got about 2 pairs if midas cichlids, a pair of true parrots, a pair of RTM, a pair of jaguar, a pair of RT, pair of blue tilapias and a pair of red tilapias. Also I have a breeding pair of chevron snakeheads and breeding pair of blotch snakeheads. All breeding pairs have about 10-20 inches distance to each other but they only go as far as flaring and never even fight or lip lock. They breed in my 375g tank since March 2011 till now.
