Tiger Barbs/tetras

[laura120381]

hi all,

i am currently in the process of setting up my latest tank and would like to include tiger barbs, which i have never kept before!! it is an 80l fluval tank with a fluval u3 filter. (currently cycling!) i hoped to include some/all of the following:

x8 tiger barbs
x10 tetras (neons or cardinals)
x4 bolivian rams
x4 albino corys

i have heard that tigers can be aggressive at times so should i add them first then work the tank around them? also do you think i would be better with cardinals or neons? (am not sure if tigers would eat neons???!!) do you think this stocking level is ok? also do you think i should add an additional filter to the tank?

thanks for any advice.

L

 

[KISSfn]

In my experience Tigers are not aggressive when kept in proper numbers and my shoal of 8 have been absolutely great! They are not compatible with Rams though. They'll be fine with Tetras and Corys. I think you'll be overstocked but it may work with an extra filter. My Barbs were my first fish and they have been wonderful. I've read on here that Neons are weak so I would go with Cardinals. I don't believe Tigers would eat Neons.

 

[Essjay]

I don't think 80 litres is big enough for 4 bolivian rams anyway. It would be pushing it with 2. I have a pair in 125 litres and I think my tank is a bit on the small side for them.

 

[KISSfn]

Also I think the Corys would be happier in a group of 6 and on sand.

 

[Tizer]

I would drop the neons, bump up the corys to 6 and have a pair of Bolivian rams instead of 4. With 4 you risk them pairing up/breeding and going all territorial on one another. It would make a nice little tank with that number of fish and i should say Rams are perfectly fine with Tigers.

Be warned though, Tigers do grow and to a pretty good size. 70 litres, when they are mature probably isnt enough space and you would be looking to rehome them into something thats at least 3 foot in size, or at least something on the scale of a Fluval Roma 125.

 

[fluttermoth]

I would drop the neons, bump up the corys to 6 and have a pair of Bolivian rams instead of 4. With 4 you risk them pairing up/breeding and going all territorial on one another. It would make a nice little tank with that number of fish and i should say Rams are perfectly fine with Tigers.

Be warned though, Tigers do grow and to a pretty good size. 70 litres, when they are mature probably isnt enough space and you would be looking to rehome them into something thats at least 3 foot in size, or at least something on the scale of a Fluval Roma 125.

Agreed; you don't realise just how large (and chunky!) tigers get when you see them in the shops.

 

[laura120381]

hi everyone,

thanks so much for the advice. I have gone out today and bought another filter for the tank and have taken on board what everone has said. I have decided to increase the cory group to 6 and stick with the shoals of cardinals and tigers. I am still a bit dubious about the rams!! they were not really my idea but my partner loves them!! if i can get away with it (!) i plan to leave them out altogether but if not, I will follow the advice given and go for 1 pair rather than 2. On reading all the comments, i remembered that i had 2 pairs of bolivians in my previous tank (200l) and they were very aggressive with each other around breeding time!! a problem definitely to be avoided in a much smaller tank!!!

thanks again for all your help and if anyone has any other suggestions, they will be much appreciated! as i said before, i have never kept tiger barbs so doubtless i will be back with more questions for you all soon!!

L.