Barbs And Rainbowfish

[SnookinMatt]

I have a 20 gallon tank with 2 clown loaches and 2 banded rainbowfish. I've been thinking about adding a few small tiger barbs, albino barbs and green barbs since seeing how active they are in a friend's tank, and I was wondering if they would hassle my rainbowfish. I know they are ornery and aggressive, but I've also heard that if you have them in groups of around 5 or more that they usually keep to themselves. Anybody have any experience/advice with these?

 

[Lateral Line]

Tiger Barb aggression is dilluted by numbers, the more you have, the less hassle they give the rest of the tank, at least 6. The problem you have is your tank size, it really isn't big enough for the Clown loaches let alone anything else. What are your longer term plans?

 

[SnookinMatt]

I was told the tank size is fine for the fish I have in there. I pretty much want to keep it how it is, just adding some small schooling fish.

 

[Darkehorse]

Clown loaches can get up to 24 inches (although rare)!!!! Please heed the warning regarding your tank size.

-Darke

 

[vinylman]

I was told the tank size is fine for the fish I have in there. I pretty much want to keep it how it is, just adding some small schooling fish.

Who gave you that bad advice, LFS?. The tank is way too small, you'll have severe problems as it is, even without adding more fish.

 

[kuhliloacher]

Alot of people make the mistake of buying clown loaches. These fish get huge! I won't even put them in my 55 gal tank. Although pretty, there are much better alternatives, such as Yoyo, Zebra, and Burmese Border Loaches. These would be much more suitable as they usually max out at about 4 inches. If you get 5 or 6 Barbs, that would be fine. my 55 gal is primarily Loaches and Tiger Barbs. Serpae Tetras make good mates for Tiger Barbs.

 

[SnookinMatt]

yeah, that's what my fish store told me. That kinda sucks..I was getting pretty attached to those guys. So is the tank too small for the rainbowfish also? And what are some other good bottom-dwelling fish other than loaches? Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Rafael Dilone]

The tank size is fine for the rainbows. They need at least a 20 gallon tank, which in your case you have a 20 gallon tank. So the rainbows are fine. But you should take into consideration the size those clown loaches grow. If you really want the loaches just get a bigger tank. I suggest if you get a bigger tank for the loaches get at least a 50 gallon tank. Hope you figure out something that you will be happy with.