Barb Community Tank Advice/ideas

[alphabetic]

Hi all,

I currently I have 4 young Rosy Barbs in my 20 gal (75 litre) aquarium. I'm after ideas of other shoaling fish I could use to populate the tank as things progress (particularly other Barbs, given their semi-aggressive nature). I'm particularly interested in contrasting colour and variety. Could you please advise what would work well with the fish I currently have, and a minimum to prevent overstocking, given adult size.

Additionally, my Rosys aren't really schooling at the moment, so I might add two more soon. If so, do you think two sepcies of 6 each would be most sensible. Or say, 3 species of 4 each? I'd like to add some Tiger Barbs, but am hesitating due to their fin-nipping tendencies.

Thanks for your time

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hi there .

How long has this tank been set up for and does it have good filtration (what sort of filtration are you using?) and heating? What is the tanks exact measurements/dimensions as well?

The barbs will outgrow the tank given time, but for now (depending on how large the barbs currently are), but the tank should be adequate for quite a while. Rosy barbs can grow to 5inches+ long and do best in a tank of at least 3ft in length (preferably more though) and enjoy being in groups of at least 6-8 or more;

http/badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile33.html


Having a barb-only tank is an interesting idea, however if you are serious about it i would definately advise opting for a larger tank sooner or later since a lot of barbs enjoy a tank larger than 20gallons in the long term as in general they are very active swimmers and grow to a good size.
I think clown barbs would make a good addition to a rosy barb tank;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=67293

Filament Barb/blackspot barbs would also go well with rosy barbs too;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=196824

All these barbs though do grow to a fair size, personally i would upgrade the tank to something around 4ft long by 1ft wide by 2ft high tank (about 54-60 US gallons) at some point soon if you are interested in keeping these fish. The length and width of the tank is often the most important factor, with length being the most important for active fish. Width is not too important as long as the fish has more than adequate room to turn around (the width of the tank should be at least about twice the length of the fish when it comes to active fish like medium sized barbs).

The only problem with a barb-only tank is that you will get a lot of activity from the fish in the medium level range of the tank, but the bottom of the tank in particular will be very unactive and empty looking, so it may be a good idea to opt for some bottom dwelling fish like some medium sized loaches like a shoal of Zebra loaches;

http/www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-striata

Or a shoal of golden zebra loaches;

http/www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-histronica

Etc... .

 

[Lateral Line]

My worry would be space, but TP has already covered that really. Barbs like a lot of swimming space, and a 20 isn't really going to do that. Most barbs are perfectly peaceful, more so then many of the "peaceful" tetras. It is a shame that the behaviour of a few species tar the whole lot.

As for schooling, that is a defensive behaviour adopted by fish that feel threatened. In small tanks, it is rarely seen as there is no benefit to the fish.