what would compliment tiger barbs best?

[Xcric]

so i've got this 20 gallon tank with 6 tiger barbs and a red tailed shark in it, but the trouble is i'm not entirely sure what other species would compliment them really well...
i tried swordtails, but they were eaten
a friend threw in a bunch of white clouds in one day totally at random, they had their fins nipped pretty bad, but i managed to save them in time
all the fish stores i've been to around here have been no help, they'll tell me 'oh all the fish on this wall should get along fine with tiger barbs' but then when i get more specific and point to a specific fish, or mention one by name, or what have you, they tell me 'oh no you don't want to mix those with tigers, they'll end up dead'
even google is no help

i'd like something with some bright color to it..reds, or yellows..but really have no idea what to put in, is my only option more tiger barbs?

 

[ProGolferCL6]

if u have regular tigert barbs...u could get the albino ones ... they are cool...i think just tiger barbs would be an awesome tank

 

[Xcric]

i thought about that, but would like to try and mix in another type of barb other than tigers if i can..but trouble is i can't seem to find anything

 

[yhbae]

It is pretty challenging to find species that are compatible with tiger barbs. Long time ago, I wanted to setup a tank around tiger barbs, but compatible species were very limited, hence I chose not to build one. I believe clown loaches are also ok, but given the size of your tank, I don't recomend them.

 

[Xcric]

damned..there has to be something else that'll go well in there..

oh, and just out of personal curiosity, cichlids wouln't be too happy in a 20 gallon right? because i was originally thinking of going with them, but figured they wouldn't be happy in my not so big tank, and went with tigers instead

edit: rather, i should've said, a friend of mine showed up one day with a bag of tiger barbs when she saw that i had an empty fish tank..not that i nescessarily chose to go with tigers, but i love the little buggers now, i just want some interesting tank mates, other than the shark

 

[yhbae]

Depends on which cichlids - there are quite a few which can be accomodated in a 20g tank... Which ones are you thinking of?

Also, what is the length of your tank - 2ft or 2.5ft?

 

[Xcric]

not sure which, just kinda glanced at them quick and noticed that most people had them in larger tanks, and that most of them were recommended for larger tanks, which ones work in smaller tanks, and would any of them not get picked on by tigers?

my tank is 2ft

what about mixing other types of barbs with tigers, like adding in gold, or rosy barbs?

 

[Ruby Shark]

i'd like something with some bright color to it..reds, or yellows..but really have no idea what to put in, is my only option more tiger barbs?

Hi,

No you can go with Zebra Danios as they are fast and hardy fish that will in "most" cases do well with TB's. The down side is that they are not red or yellow and prefer to be kept in larger groups. A 20 gallon with already six fast swimming fish and a shark doesn't leave you with a lot of room.

If you want to stay with barbs and still add a little colour you could get a few Green Tiger Barbs.

 

[yhbae]

Tiger barbs are already schoaling species, so personally, I wouldn't add more schoaling species in a 2ft tank. I'd pick something that is either a center piece, or bottom dwellers.

I remember some had success with gouramies (as a center piece fish). A bristlenose pleco will probably be ok in that tank as well.

 

[Xcric]

a friend of mine tried gouramies and said they were too aggressive..though i don't think he had them in a tank with tigers..

any particular type of gouramie that would be more appropriate than others?
all the ones i've seen seem to have those long feeler things, and pretty long fins...i can't imagine them lasting too long..but maybe i'm wrong?

 

[Gill]

What about the Serpae Tetras,

They can be as aggressive as Tiger Barbs and also like to be in a group.

I know you can get them in standard colors and Metallic aswell.

 

[Xcric]

hmm..serpae's..thats interesting, you think they'll be fast enough, and short finned enough where they won't end up dead?
i might try it..i suppose worst that happens is i move them to another tank if they're being bullied

 

[superballs5337]

i have 6 bolivian rams and 6 tiger barbs 1 betta 3 pristilla tetras, 1 parrot fish, 1 alge eater and they all live happilly together.

 

[Gill]

hmm..serpae's..thats interesting, you think they'll be fast enough, and short finned enough where they won't end up dead?
i might try it..i suppose worst that happens is i move them to another tank if they're being bullied

Serpaes have Short enough fins. And they are fast fish.

 

[Xcric]

hmm..serpae's..thats interesting, you think they'll be fast enough, and short finned enough where they won't end up dead?
i might try it..i suppose worst that happens is i move them to another tank if they're being bullied

Serpaes have Short enough fins. And they are fast fish.

cool, i'll give em a shot then, i've always like them