Tiger Barb Tank Mates

[xxianaa]

My friend has a just bought a three foot deep aquarium, he wants to keep six tiger barbs ,one rainbow shark and a couple of red claw crabs in there. He was wondering what other fish he could keep with them, who would not get bullied by the barbs or eaten by the crabs, he would prefer a range of smaller fish rather than a few biggish ones. Water peramiters about 24c and ph 7.4. Thanks all suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[smokeyjo]

I've got 6 green barbs (which are pretty much the same fish) with 6 red eye tetras 10 neons 8 corydoras a candy pleco a vampire crab and 2 african dwarf frogs I'm going to up my barbs and tetras as they rather squable with each other than bother anything else

 

[Fishy friend2]

How many gallons is the aquarium, the red claws are already a big No no in aquarium keeping, they are probably not compatible with a lot of fish

 

[onidrase]

More Tiger Barbs!

Also, scrap the red claw crabs, get some shrimp or something instead. Red claw crabs appreciate an area to come for air, and they'll eat any fish they can get ahold of. Since tiger barbs are rather ravenous, mine used to come down and pick at the sand for any scraps they could find. If a claw hits one, it's a goner. And don't under estimate a crustaceans speed.

 

[snake007]

Tigers and shrimps are no cos they will eat them up

 

[Fishy friend2]

I would get more tigers if I were you as onidrase said, tigers are really aggresive fish and will nip at most fish when in groups of 6 I would aim for 10+ if I were you

 

[onidrase]

Tigers and shrimps are no cos they will eat them up

There are plenty of shrimp big enough to not be considered food, like bamboo shrimp and vampire shrimp.

 

[KISSfn]

Tigers coexist peacefully with Green Barbs, Rosy Barbs, Serpae Tetras, Danios and a Bristlenose Pleco

 

[This Old Spouse]

The 14 I have live happily with my 6 red eye tetras and a baby BN. But I would absolutely find a different place for the crabs! And aren't sharks supposed to be kept with more of their own kind? I thought I read that somewhere.

 

[onidrase]

The 14 I have live happily with my 6 red eye tetras and a baby BN. But I would absolutely find a different place for the crabs! And aren't sharks supposed to be kept with more of their own kind? I thought I read that somewhere.

Depends on the shark, really. From what I understand, the ones labeled "shark" in the species are just fish with a pointy dorsal fin shaped like a shark's. Some of them are catfish, some of them are minnows, some get big, some stay pretty small. The Rainbow Shark will be somewhat territorial and solitary, so it'd rather be alone.

 

[xxianaa]

Thanks for the advice guys, i have passed the info on.

 

[Mowbz]

If its help, it have 18 barbs, and they still scrap occasionally. I think 24+ is they way forward if you have the room. Ill be upping mine shortly. Looks better too

 

[fluttermoth]

TBH, if this is your friends only tank, I'd advise you to tell him not to get tigers.

I mean, I love mine to bits, but they're a bit of a nightmare. I've got 20 in a 4'/200l and they still bicker; I've got a female right now that's had most of her tail nipped off.

They terrified the cories I tried them with; even an L052 plec that I've got in there at the moment might have to come out as I don't think she's very happy with them.

The only fish I've found that are really ok with tiger barbs (and I've been keeping them over ten years now) are tough plecs (I've got a rescued gibbi in with mine atm, and he's fine with them and, and I've kept them with commons in the past) and, for some reason, zebra loach, which live with my tigers quite happily.

 

[nanoMama86]

What about like ,say, 15-20 in a 100 gallon with a GT and an JD and an oscar? Would that work? Plus 2 bala sharks and 2 clowns. It's a "breeder" 100, so it's not real tall, only a foot and 3 quarters tall, but it is 5 foot long, and almost 3 foot wide.


Filtration is awesome, so I'm not worried on that front. Will they be tough enough to SURVIVE in there?

 

[snake007]

What about like ,say, 15-20 in a 100 gallon with a GT and an JD and an oscar? Would that work? Plus 2 bala sharks and 2 clowns. It's a "breeder" 100, so it's not real tall, only a foot and 3 quarters tall, but it is 5 foot long, and almost 3 foot wide.


Filtration is awesome, so I'm not worried on that front. Will they be tough enough to SURVIVE in there?

Not the best stocking IMO

Tigers will be food for the JD and Oscar, not sure on the GT.
Balas and clowns are schoolers need to be in groups of 6 minimum and need a 6ft but you should get away with it in a 5.