stocking list

[juanveldez]

okay I have a 10 gallon tank that I am going to let my wife have as a community tank until I can afford to get her a 45 gallon tank later. but here is the stocking list that she gave me.

3 tin foil barbs which she already has
2 mollies
1 betta
and a couple cories

 

[smb]

The tin foil barbs get at least 12" and need lots of swimming space. The rest sounds ok.

 

[cheirodon]

I'm usually guilty of overstocking, but the way I figure your case, is like this:
The Cories, Betta, and the two Mollies, I would write off as one inch each, for a total of 5 inches. Now the Barbs I don't remember too well, but if I'm not mistaken, the remaining 5 inches should suffice.

 

[juanveldez]

well since the barbs get to be too big for the rest of the tankmates we have decided that they will also share the same fate as the others and become dithers in my 55 gallon tank but I am sure that she will fall in love with some other fish.

 

[Liz05]

Are the barbs aggressive? I'd watch them with the betta.

 

[smb]

Are the barbs aggressive? I'd watch them with the betta.

Yes, they can be. Good post, Liz05.

 

[CFC]

Even a 55 will not be big enough for 3 tinfoil barbs. They are the garbage disposals of the fish world and eat anything and everything continuously, they also grow extreemly fast and will be at least half their full size in under year. I made the mitake of adding 4 to a 75g a few years ago, they destroyed every plant in the tank, even "inedible" plants like java fern giant vallis and anubias were eaten and at feeding time nothing else ever got a look in as the barbs hooovered up everything as it touched the surface (this included live feeders!), fish that tried to feed were attacked on mass by the rapidly growing barbs.
Tinfoils really need a minimum of a 100g species tank IMO, they are a beautiful fish but not worth the problems they present.

 

[juanveldez]

well sadly I am down to 3 of the tin foils left..... my JD decided that he was a bit angry last night and that he could make them fit in his mouth if he went at them hard enough. it was kind of funny cause when I was watching the barbs acually blanked him good as he was trying to come down from the surface to attack them and they just moved and all he got was a mouthful of sand!!!!! I can say this I am very glad that I changed that tank to sand surly if there was gravel in there he could have serously hurt himself. but I am going to save the last 3 for today and let my new gold suam and my JD have a go at them.