View Full Version : Could you put a barb and pleco in the same tank?
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 12:00 PM
Just wondering if you could or not.
I've been trying to figure out what I want for fish and what will work well together, and I really like the look of Tiger Barbs (what I have found available locally so far) but have read that they can be aggresive with slower fish. Would a Pleco be considered a slower fish?
I was planning on some Neon Tetras, Clown Loaches, a Pleco or two, and the Tiger Barb, if they could all fit, and get along together. Could they?
They all seem to like a similar pH level and temperature, and be considered peaceful (except for the Barb).
I'm hoping to get at least a 30 gallon tank, maybe as large as 50 gallons. It will be my first tank, and I'm not sure about having live plants or not, I need to look into it farther.
Jericho
11-02-2005, 12:54 PM
Yes the barbs can be with plecos, I have had many barbs with mine. Barbs will be less nippy if they are kept in large groups.
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 1:01 PM
Awesome, that's good to know.
I was planning on keeping at least a pair of every fish so there isn't a lonely one, and I believe the Tetras and Loaches are supposed to be in groups anyways.
Would say, 5 Neon Tetras, 3 Clown Loaches, 3 Tiger Barbs, 1-2 Plecos be too much for a 30 gallon? 50 gallon? I should really re-read that sticky about the whole inch/gallon rule, its problems, and different formulas and figure it out.
Holly9937
11-02-2005, 1:02 PM
The fish could all go together if you had a larger tank. Clown loaches would eventually need a bigger tank, and common plecos can easily get 18+ inches. For a 30g tank, I would go for a bristlenose pleco, or one of the smaller species. The tiger barbs are schooling fish, so I would get 6 or more of those. Not sure if there would be conflicts with the neons.
Holly9937
11-02-2005, 1:05 PM
Even the smaller plecos are huge waste producers, I would not put more than one (even the smaller ones) in a 30g tank, unless they would be the only fish!! I think the barbs would be too nippy for the neons in such a small group. If they would get along (hopefully someone else can chime in on that) I would get 6 neons and maybe 8 barbs and a small pleco.
OrionGirl
11-02-2005, 1:06 PM
I wouldn't mix neons and tiger barbs--the neons will be stressed and chased constantly. The pleco and the clowns aren't really great in small tanks, and plecos are very territorial--in a 30, you'll end up with one in the long run anyway.
I'd go with 5-6 barbs, 2 bristlenose (male/female if possible), and maybe some smaller loaches. If you can get the biger tank, a pair of clown might work--they are slow growers, and will school with the barbs.
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 1:49 PM
Are you saying that in a larger (50 gallon?) tank, I could go with 5-6 barbs, 2 bristlenose, and 2 clown loaches comfortably?
OrionGirl
11-02-2005, 1:52 PM
For quite some time, yes. The clowns will eventually outgrow the tank, but they'll be comfortable in that tank for several years. A few more barbs would work as well--the problem will be that not many other fish will be compatible with barbs. JMO, but barbs tend to be obnoxious to other fish, and do best with their own kind, or a few tough, armoured fish capable of defending themselves.
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 1:58 PM
Maybe I'll just ditch the Barb altogether. It seems like it will become hard to get other fish in the future or even just finding them in the first place.
The clown/tetra/pleco's would be alright together?
OrionGirl
11-02-2005, 2:02 PM
Yep. I'd still avoid the clowns in the smaller setup, though there are a number of other loaches that are very attractive and will stay appropriately sized for their entire life. With neons and bristlenose, you could easily add a couple other fish to a 30--maybe a pair of rams or apistogrammas, or some livebearers for a splash of color.
Jericho
11-02-2005, 2:08 PM
Just go with one pleco. I have had two in a tank and they were both timid. I went with one and he was much more active. And he will out grow my 60 gal as the last one I returned tot he fish store was about 13" in 6 years. One will be fine.
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 2:09 PM
Hmm, I was actually just going to ask about that also, I remembered seeing some fish, guppies I believe, that were really colorfull and looked pretty cool. 6-8 neons, 1 bristolenose (is there a prettier alternative?), and another 4-6 guppies.
It seems like a lot of small fish for all that water that would leave it looking sort of empty, but it may just be my lack of experiance.
aquariumhobyist
11-02-2005, 2:20 PM
get only one pleco as they grow fast and create alot of waste. yes you can have barbs with plecos since barbs wouldnt really notice the pleco because pecos never really move that much.
Holly9937
11-02-2005, 2:56 PM
If they were the only fish, I think you could go with a bristlenose (or something similar sized) 4-6 guppys and 12 or so neons in a 30g. Keep in mind, the male guppys are usually prettier than the females, they have bigger tails, and if you were to get males and females, you might have too many survivors with that mix of fish. It might look empty fish wise, but you could use lots of plants to fill the space, even fake plants look nice if you get better quality ones (silk usually looks better than plastic).
plecos are actully very fast
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 3:19 PM
What would be a good place online to get some nice fake plants. I may add real plants in, but am not sure about it yet, and have not seen anything too great for fake plants locally.
Would there be any issues if I got only male guppys?
Any suggestions for a larger fish to fill in some space so to speak?
OrionGirl
11-02-2005, 3:33 PM
I think Big Al's has some of the better prices--I've never really shopped for fake plants, though, so can't offer much help.
Male guppies will tend to chase each other around, but without a female to 'encourage' them, they are fine.
In a 50? I would go with a trio of rainbows, or gouramies. Some of my favorite fish. In the 30, if it's a well covered tank, some of the smaller hatchets would help fill in the top of the tank. They'd work in the 50, too, and you could have a group of 4-5, instead of the rainbows or gouramies.
aquariumhobyist
11-02-2005, 5:30 PM
yes big als got some nice fake plants that look nearly real. get some silk ones they look awesome.
UnsanePyro
11-02-2005, 8:40 PM
Too many choices ;)
I'll have to look into it some more definately, I want to make sure that I have something that works well and looks nice. Gotta make sure I can get the fish too.
Is there a 40 gallon tank that is a standard size of sorts? I seem to see a lot of 29/30 and 50/55 but never an in between? I'm going to try and go as large as possible, and was curious.
Thanks for pointing me towards some fake plants if that is the route I end up going.
aquariumhobyist
11-03-2005, 5:45 AM
you might have to search more for a 40 gallon but 55 gallons are a lot more comon and easier to find.
OrionGirl
11-03-2005, 7:52 AM
40 breeders are pretty standard--3 foot by 18 by 18, I think. Been a while since I had one. There is also a bow front that's 40+ gallons--don't recall the exact size, though.
I just have a couple thoughts: You wanted to know of a prettier alternative to the bristlenose pleco, have you looked at Rubberlips? They stay small, and do a good job in my tank... and I just LOVE their little freckly faces! I also have a clown pleco who I LOVE, he's really beautiful, but I rarely see him... it's like a Where's Waldo game every night looking for him. Tiny little thing!
Also, I'm not sure if this is a brand new tank you're setting up, but if it is, I'd wait on the plecos for a few months anyway... wait till the tank is established and there's some algae to munch.
Just my thoughts! :-D
Holly9937
11-03-2005, 10:41 AM
Personally I like www.drsfostersmith.com for fake plants better than big als.
aquariumhobyist
11-03-2005, 2:26 PM
Personally I like www.drsfostersmith.com for fake plants better than big als.
well i hate to say it but BIG ALS IS BETTER.
UnsanePyro
11-03-2005, 9:23 PM
I just have a couple thoughts: You wanted to know of a prettier alternative to the bristlenose pleco, have you looked at Rubberlips? They stay small, and do a good job in my tank... and I just LOVE their little freckly faces! I also have a clown pleco who I LOVE, he's really beautiful, but I rarely see him... it's like a Where's Waldo game every night looking for him. Tiny little thing!
Also, I'm not sure if this is a brand new tank you're setting up, but if it is, I'd wait on the plecos for a few months anyway... wait till the tank is established and there's some algae to munch.
Just my thoughts! :-D
I haven't even heard of a Rubberlip ;) Thanks for the advice on waiting a while to add him in there.
I'm looking for some fish now that will look nice in the tank, and hopefully be pretty active so that I can see them, along with anyone else.
I'm beginning to think that the fewer different fish the better, at least it seems easier.
Maybe some Neon Tetras, Clown Loach (I hope to get a bigger tank in the future, if everything here works out and I really do enjoy it), and a Rubberlip/Bristlenose.
Maybe something completely different. I don't know all of what is available locally yet, but what would you guys suggest as an ideal setup, or what you have had in the past?
I've been browsing all of the "Show Off Your Tank" threads and am having trouble getting through some of them right now.