Mixing Clown Botia with Tiger Barbs

[d_rickard]

Newbie here and ready with my first question.

I've got a tropiquarium 55 with 4 Clown Loaches and a Clown Plec. I was thinking of adding 5-10 Tiger Barbs. Will I have success or will I create carnage as I know the barbs can be a bit boisterous.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kev]

I can't say for sure if they are compatibly - It seems that most fish aren't compatible with Tiger barbs. this was suggested to me when I asked in my LFS. and they suggested Banded barbs instead they are slightly smaller with an extra strip. They are agressive to other fish but if you have more than 6 they will happily chase each other nipping at each other fins and causing no damage. HTH if the fish are not compatable

 

[bizkuit]

They sould be fine my 3 Clowns happily shoal with my tiger, golden tiger barbs and black ruby barbs.

 

[Moe]

I would stay away from tiger barbs. They are really active and fun to watch, but it really limits the other fish you can have. Mine have recently started nipping my two tiny cory cats. You could try one of the other barbs. Red, rosy and melon are all active and I don't think they are so aggressive. Good luck.

 

[Lateral Line]

Generally, if you have enough Barbus tetrazona, they will spend all day chasing each other about and ignore the rest of their tank mates. Less than 6 say, is a recipe for fin nipping. I have kept tetrazona with Botia macracantha before without untoward trouble.

B. pentazona is a much more docile fish, (and can be bullied), also a little more fussy with water, but in my opinion, is a prettier fish. There are several sub-species of pentazona with varying numbers of complete or partial stripes. B. pentazona rhombocellatus is one of my all time dream fish, I've only ever seen one live specimen on the bench at the old Kempton Park show about 30 years ago.

Moe:

Quick question, by "Red" do you mean B. titteya? Problem with common names, they change from location to location! If so, this is a really peaceful little gem, which, under optimum conditions, can sparkle like a jewel.