New and I already have questions

[Ants]

Hey everyone, I decided to join this site, because every time I google something about fish or my aquarium I seem to get a result with a link to this site.

I currently own a 20 gallon tank with two young cichlids (1 yellow lab, 1 damonsoni) and 2 algae eaters (one of the smaller species of pleco and an orange skinny one, don't remember the species name). My plan was to raise the young fish and eventually upgrade to a much bigger tank. However I've grown a bit unpatient and already 6 months later want to get some more fish.

Two questions I'd love some feedback on are:

1. Is it a bad idea to add fish to a tank my size, I was think a couple more young cichlids, or if anyone can suggest some other fish that would get along with the ones I have that would be great.

2. When is it a good time to move to a bigger tank, at what size is it necessary to make the move?

Thanks for any feedback and glad to be a part of the community.

[lohachata]

first of all the pleco and algae eater do not belong with the lab and demasoni....they are from very different environments and have different water chemistry needs...one or the other will suffer...
most importantly i would suggest you research any species you might want to get before you buy it...
when you get a bigger tank make it the one for the rift lake cichlids...keep the others in the 20..at this point you could add a couple more small africans ; but only a couple...and they grow fast enough that it won't be long before you will be needing a larger tank....

[weedkiller]

also bear in mind the size the cichlids will grow, they are messy fish mostly and if you are going to stock more you may need to adjust your filter accordingly, i have a total of 6 messy fish in a 190L, small at the moment but they will grow between 6-8" each so woithout hitting the bar so to speak ill leave at that