Hi, I know this is an old thread, but this is what brought me here, I thought I had done all the correct research into tank mates for tiger barbs, I have 6 tiger barbs and a blue ram and a flame red dwarf gourami in the same tank, I've figured out how to resolve the eating issue, I do two sittings, the barbs scoff the first lot without the blue ram or dwarf gourami getting a look in, about 5 mins later I do the second feed, and the barbs are stuffed and lost interest so now the blue ram and gourami get to eat, its working for me, thankfully! So maybe if someone has already bought a blue ram thinking, cichlid... Its fine... Maybe worth a shot ?Rams are slow, the Tigers are fast eatters. The Rams may live and even defend themselves, but will slowly starve over a few months.
I had read that they were fine together when I put them together, and it's working out fine, if there does seem to be any issues, I have a smaller tank I can use for the blue ram, I'm constantly watching them ?It's iffy - why risk it ?