Help with new 20 gallon (home to 3 Tiger Barbs)

[kaxixi]

I've wanted to set up a planted aquarium for years, and finally got around to setting up a nice 20 gallon. Unfortunately, while I've done the research on the plants, I didn't read nearly enough about fish. My LFS recommended three Tiger Barbs as starter fish to help my tank cycle, and I happily agreed. After reading up on them online, I now realize this might have been a mistake. But perhaps you guys can help me avert disaster... here are my questions (though feel free to offer more advice than I've asked for!):

It appears I have two `males' (they've got bright orange on their nose and fins) and one female (`she' has less distinctive coloring). The `males' chase the `female' around quite a bit, and, overall, `she' seems a bit miserable: `she' spends most of her time hiding amongst my plants avoiding the `males'. I understand tiger barbs should be kept in a shoal of at least six to keep them from picking on one fish too much. Should I introduce three more barbs, or is my tank too small? If so, when should I introduce them? My tank has been up and running for less than a week and I don't own a testing kit (I'll buy one ASAP, I promise! Feel free to recommend one...)

Also, now that I know the barbs are such scoundrels, I'm a little worried about which other fish to introduce. My first thoughts are to add some Zebra Danios and some Cory Cats, since they appear to be resilient, and since the Danios will not compete with the barbs for space. Does this make sense? Are there any other fish I could or should eventually add? Maybe something that'll swim in the middle?

Finally, what're your thoughts on adding some Amano Shrimp to help with clean-up? Thanks a bunch!

Erez

 

[phoenix]

my first thought is add more barbs or get rid of the ones you already have.

As you can see in my signature my wifes tank is a barb tank. It was not meant to be but ended up that way. she started with 6 barbs and a few other fish like you mentioned and the barbs killed them off. Then started beating the hell out of each other she got more fish the barbs would regroup and kill it. the aggression did not stop until she got 12 barbs in a shoal and by then it was to late to put much else in there. She got tired of losing fish and just turned it into a barb tank.

I hope i didnt scare you off from barbs but i wanted to reley what my wife went thru with hers. And to be honest I really enjoy the activeness of her tank Now with all the barbs in it. And so does she.Shesgot a colorful mix and they are very active and now they dont harrass anyone.

 

[LoveMyOscar]

 

[kaxixi]

Thanks for the advice.

One correction to my original post: the `female' may just be terrified of me, not of the `males'. `She' was just swimming happily along with the other two along the front wall of the tank for some time (until they noticed me, and darted back into hiding among the plants). They don't appear to chase `her' unless they know I'm around (is this strange?)

 

[Moe]

I'd get rid of the tiger barbs. They are not good fish to cycle a tank with. They are very sensative to nitrate and will begin to point head down when the nitrates get high. I have a 20 gal also. The tiger barbs were my fisrst fish. I had 6. It was a disaster. All they did was chase the other fish in the tank. They did not get along with anything I put in there. They even killed cory catfish. I finally brought the lot of them back to my local fish store. I'd bring them back to the shop where you got them. Then cycle your tank with danio's like you suggested or try a fishless cycle. Here is a link to a great article explaining the nitrogen cycle.
http/www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cl...&articleid=2657

 

[Mustang5L5]

I didn't get a good balance til i made a shoal of 9 barbs. They keep their fin-nipping among themselves. They are a bit on the aggressive side. I actually catch them nipping the fins of my convicts from time to time and basically harassing them.

 

[kaxixi]

Thanks for all the advice. I will try and keep the tiger barbs, and will probably do a barb-only tank (a few more tigers and a cherry or two?). They're very cute and active, so I don't mind giving up a bit of variety--there's plenty of action to make up for it. I may try to add some ottos to help with algae control--let me know if you think the barbs will harrass the ottos as well.

My only concern now is that they will not fair well during the tank's cycle. I've been changing about 20 percent of the water every three days and my amonia levels (I got a kit!) have not risen above .25 ppm. Nitrites are at zero (I have no way to measure nitrates yet). I have noticed one of the barbs swim with his head down and have change the water immediately upon noticing this. The others haven't done it yet, and I'm hoping that they never do. I do feed them only once a day, and even then, only a small pinch (I make sure they all get a little), so I'm hoping the water stays relatively safe.

Once I have the tank fully planted and have added some more tiger barbs, I'll borrow my friend's digital camera and will post some pictures. In the meantime, thanks again for your help, and happy valentines day! I'm glad I got my fish, because now I don't need a date...

erez

 

[fish_tank0311]

I wouldnt go for zebra danios, are they are quite finny, and tigers tend to be fin nippers. i would go for another type of danio