Converting Back To A Community Tank

[mattb22]

Hey all,

So I just got a tank free, after it housed my convict cichlids I now wish to convert it back to a community tank and just wanted some suggestions as to what to go for.

The tanks dimensions are: 48"x15"x15" so its a reasonably sized tank.

I like tiger barbs/green tiger barbs but I have heard that they can be a aggressive to fish with fancy tails and considering im interested in some guppys it may not be a good idea.

Also considering some rainbow fish and possibly a few guarami's.

Thanks.

 

[tetraqueen]

I had no problems with green barbs you need about six in a group and they will leave everything else alone. Try to have hiding places and plants as this helps.

I cannot say anything re tiger barbs not had them. Opaline gouramis are good but be careful they are difficult.

This of course is my experience it is not for all fish or all owners.

IMO worth tuppence its trial and error or if it is not a definate no.

 

[Davo86]

Green barbs and albino barbs are just different colour strains of tiger barbs and so in theory should act in exactly the same way.

barbs and guppys are a difficult one to judge, personally i'd say don't put them together, but then again i know a few people who do keep them together fairly successfully. If you do keep them together then keep at least 6 barbs to minimise the aggression towards other tankmates.

Rainbows would be great in your tank, you could look at bosemanis, reds or neon blues

As for gouramis a trio of pearls would look good, three spots may also work but they generally are more territorial

 

[Frasier]

I would avoid keeping barbs and guppies together due to fin nipping by the barbs. Pearl gouramis(2 female to 1 male) would be great tank mates for guppies. Avoid at all costs golden gouramis as they can be very teritorial(i speak from experience!) Neon, rainbow, bleeding heart and black neons should also be fine. Have you thought about cherry barbs? Good luck.

 

[backtotropical]

Lets distinguish between barbs here. Tigers can be quite aggressive and should be kept in large groups to minimise aggression to other species.

Most barbs (other than tigers of course) do not share this behaviour and can easily be kept in communities.

I keep Snakeskin Barbs (Puntius Rhomboocellatus) in my community and they are not aggressive or fin-nippers at all. They are kept with guppies with no problems.

Some people assume Tiger Barbs aggressive behaviour is in common with other barb species, and this couldn't be much further from the truth. Tigers are the exception and not the rule.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

BTT

 

[chicklette]

You should never keep tiger barbs with fancy long fines fish. Mine are extremely aggressive and I think partly because they are full grown. But they will eat the fins off of most fish. Personally, I think they are better off as a species tank.

They are even aggressive with each other and a few got killed because of this.

So if you really want a variety of different fish I would pass on the tiger barbs.

You can keep them with cichlids. However, make sure the cichlids are not to aggressive for the tiger barbs sake.