Tiger Barbs

[Jue]

I am just in the process of setting up a 180L tank which I would like to house Tiger Barb and a couple of Brislenose plec. I was told at the weekend by a LFS that I could happily put 30-40 Tiger Barb in a tank this size. Now I know I'm not an expert but I thought this sounded rather excessive. or am I wrong?

 

[love_fish]

How many gallons is that? I think that's way too many, just by the sounds of a 180 liter tank.

 

[Jue]

How many gallons is that? I think that's way too many, just by the sounds of a 180 liter tank.

Yeah it is 180 litre, I think its about 39 UK Gallons so probably just over 40-42 US gallons. I can't tell you for definite as I can't find the calculator I usually use. I thought it seemed pretty excessive when they said 30-40 but as I'm a complete novice at this I didn't know whether it was correct or not.

How many do you think would be about right if I had a couple of Bristlenose plec in there with them? They grow to a max of about 5inches as far as I can ascertain.

Jue

 

[mikev]

Online Conversion calculator link.

180l == about 48 gallons.

Tiger barb size: up to 3in, subtract 10 gallons for plec's, 38/3 is about 13 barbs, if you go by the 1in=1gallon rule.

HTH

 

[love_fish]

Yea, you could get 13 or so, and it'd still be ok even though the plecs go over the inch per gallon rule.

 

[sylvia]

Tiger barbs don't get to 3" - 2-2.5" is more likely. I'd put a maximum of 15 in that tank with the pair of bristlenoses and nothing else.

 

[mikev]

3" is the number used by Fishbase and also by the size list in the local FAQ, here:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=106493

(I have to admit I was a surprised seeing 3", the largest I ever saw was not much larger than 2").

(Brings up the question of just how reliable fishbase is. Rechecking the only two carps I have around, it seems that entries for both are incorrect: Odessa Barb is identified with Ticto, and something is wrong with the entry for redtail rasbora as well.).

 

[Jue]

Hi everyone

Thanks for all your help on this. Flaming LFS telling me 30-40! Muppets. What would I do if I hadn't got TFF

Right 15 Tiger Barb it is with 2 Bristlenose. I'll post the piccies when it's fully inhabited

Jue