Get rid of tiger barbs, or just let the be?

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Hello! I have a 30 gallon tank (with relatively soft water). It is properly cycled, and then to limit the risk of possibility of feeling sad over the loss of a dead fish, I got a school of tiger barbs (5) + 1 mystery snail, not realizing how they did not have a long list of tank mates. Now I have four options and am looking for advise as to which is the smartest:

• OPTION 1:: Keep the tiger barbs and get two kribensis. Supposedly they will be able to stick up for themselves and I could possibly get some fry. (Note- any other centerpiece fish ideas?)
• OPTION 2:: Return the tiger barbs and get new fish. My dream fish is a single Ranchu, however I worry about me having a sand/ gravel substrate (3 to 1 ratio). Is it true that they could choke on it? (Sorry for my ignorance, just not sure…)
• OPTION 3:: Take out the tiger barbs and explore other options.
• OPTION 4:: Just increase the tiger barb school and be done.

Thank You!!!!

 

[Byron]

Option 1 is not really an option, because (a) the tiger barbs must have 10+ and they will (I can guarantee this) tear into each other and other fish if they don't have the group, and (b) like all cichlids kribs are sedate and easy targets. There just isn't space for this to turn out any better here.

Option 2 and 3 involve removing the tiger barbs, that solves the TB problem. The Ranchu question I will leave for members with experience with this fish.

Option 4 is OK if the TB are increased to 12-15, no other upper fish. Substrate fish can work with TB, but this may depend upon your substrate...cories for example need sand (100%).

 

[WhistlingBadger]

If it were me, I'd go option 4. A big school of tiger barbs looks really cool, and as Byron said they seem to do OK with bottom feeders.

In the future, if you want tiger barbs in a community tank, look into pentazona barbs. They look like tiger barbs (I think they're a little prettier) but they're completely peaceful and not as active. Really cool little fish. And they like soft water.

 

[Rocky998]

I would just stick with the tiger barbs... As it is, 30 gallons is the recommended minimum tank size and adding another species could be fatal sense the tiger barbs are known to be aggressive.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I second option 4 - the bigger the school the better. Large schools of Barbs also look really cool when they get settled in!

 

[Lajos_Detari]

I agree with all the above. All are nice.

But for myself, I'll get bored over a single species after a while, so I will choose Option 3.
I'll get fish that are less nippy and more peaceful.
I'll create a community tank with a group of top/middle level fish and some bottom level fish (dwarf Cichlids or a school of Corydoras).

 

[Essjay]

There are several varieties of tiger barb now available - I have seen normal (orange with black stripes), albino (pale orange, white stripes) and green in shops and there are others reported on-line. These are all the same species but look like different species. So 5 of each of 3 varieties would give a shoal of 15 that wouldn't look all the same.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Danios work well with barbs too. Just don't get the fancy fin variety. They act as a great dither and make the barbs a little less skittish.

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Hello! Thanks for all your advice and responses! it looks like the most recommended option is to increase the school level. I like this idea however I was originally looking for a fish that I could tell apart from the rest which is why I was leaning against it. I would like to make sure that this fish tank is done well in terms of stocking and quality of life for the fish, but I would like to make sure that this tank is well planned out because I do not see another fish tank in my near future so I would like to be content with this tank for a long time. That being said, the #1 priority is that the fish are happy and doing well. I may just go with the large school of multiple varieties as suggested. Once again thanks for the advice!!! I appreciate it!!

New Questions:
How many tiger barbs can go in a 30 gallon???
Are 2-3 goldfish recommended or can you just have one?
My LFS keeps tiger barbs with ameca splenids... Does anyone approve of these fish as tank mates?? Or have expeirance with them??
Thanks to all!!

PS- So sorry that I posted before. I meant to post on my account, but I accidently posted on my sister's. I then deleted it and rewrote it on my account. Sorry!

 

[Byron]

My LFS keeps tiger barbs with ameca splenids... Does anyone approve of these fish as tank mates?? Or have expeirance with them??

No, this will not work. Both species are aggressive by nature. While a large group of Tiger Barbs in a 30g tank should manage, the Ameca splenids is also aggressive and needs at minimum a 3-foot (90 cm) length tank.

How many tiger barbs can go in a 30 gallon???

As this will be the only upper fish, I would aim for 15. his should keep them les pugnacious, and provide suitable enjoyment.

Are 2-3 goldfish recommended or can you just have one?

Not sure what this is in relation to, but no goldfish with any of these tropical fishes. The size of tank for a goldfish depends upon the type of goldfish.

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Sorry about the goldfish comment! This is in relation to getting rid of the tiger barbs and putting in a fancy Ranchu goldfish. Sorry for not specifying. Thank you for the information!!!

 

[Bright&BeautifulFish]

Update!
Even though no one will probably see his, I decide to just to post this quick end result.
As per suggestion I decided to add three albino tiger barbs to increase the school to 8! I planned on getting a pleco, but upon arrival they did not have the one I wanted… but they did have the most a hillstream loach!! Cleo (hillsteam loaches name) is amazing!!! So cute!!! Me and my new fish thank everyone for their wonderful advice!!