View Full Version : Tiger barbs in a 20G?
evster
11-29-2006, 1:09 AM
Hi guys. Looks like my 20G has finished cycling! All of the water conditions checked out ok, though my pH is on the higher side (the pH of my tap water is 7.6 or greater).
I've always wanted to do a barb tank and was wondering if you think a 20G is big enough. There will be only tiger barbs and no other fish. Ideally I would like to mix both tiger barbs and green tiger barbs. Will these fish school together?
I was thinking that I could fit at least 4 or 5 tiger barbs in the 20G, but I am not sure that they would be happy in that small of a group in that small of a tank. Let me know your experience with these fish if you've got em. Thanks!
gagaliya
11-29-2006, 1:22 AM
6 tiger barb will be fine in a 20G, since it's a specie tank (good idea!) you dont have to worry about them showing aggression to other fish due to a smaller school. Can mix and match tiger barb and green tiger barb, just make sure they are similar size so noone gets picked on constantly.
Marinemom
11-29-2006, 3:17 PM
Barbs will also appreciate a densley planted tank or at least enough places for them to hide and feel secure. This will also help eliminate some of the aggression that they show to each other.
Marinemom
Is this a 20 gallon high or a 20 gallon long?
dwarfgourami7
11-29-2006, 4:01 PM
Albino TB's look nice, ever considered including them?
mazeman22
11-29-2006, 5:53 PM
i believe you can fit at most, about 8-9 barbs.... and you should consider the albinos. They are beautiful!!!
evster
11-30-2006, 2:00 AM
Thanks guys. I just looked up albino tiger barbs on google and they look great. I think having a few albions along with the green tiger barbs and regular tiger barbs will make a beautiful display.
The tank currently has 3 zebra danios in there which I used for cycling (before I knew about fishless cycling). I am going to move these fish to my 10G when I get the barbs. How many barbs should I get to start?
If this is a 20 gallon high aquarium (24"x12"x16") then I would not recommend getting any tiger barbs.
sarcare
11-30-2006, 9:29 AM
True--I moved my tiger barbs out of a 20h to a 30g because there simply was not enough space for a big enough group of tigers in the 20h. Tigers are so active and need enough fellow tigers, that they really need more room.
evster
11-30-2006, 3:15 PM
Oh no. My tank IS a 20G high. Perhaps I should reconsider? I want some fish that are active, colorful, and larger than neon tetras or my zebra danios. I thought about gouramis but from my experience they kind of just "sit there". Is there anything in particular you guys would recommend?
jm1212
11-30-2006, 6:23 PM
platies are really colorful and they are pretty cool to watch
jas179
11-30-2006, 6:30 PM
I really like my platies. They are active and don't just eat the food at the top but will graze the bottom for food also. I already had some of the orange one with the black tail that were given to me. Then I found some mickey mouse platies that are a mix of yellow orange red and black. I also have 3 peper cory's and some shrimp in my 20h.
mazeman22
11-30-2006, 6:32 PM
platies are also great, but watch the fry... you'll have a ton before you can blink an eye!
ROLLIN
11-30-2006, 6:44 PM
I also agree, not enough swimming room. Personally I would want a 3' minimum length for them. I suggest white clouds for your tank. They are very under rated IMO. You could easily have 15 in there.
James40
11-30-2006, 6:49 PM
yea, i second the white cloud minnows. they stay pretty small, are very hardy, and active. great fish
Shagmaster
11-30-2006, 6:56 PM
Tiger Barbs and Green Barbs will shool together nicely.
evster
12-05-2006, 1:33 AM
Update: Just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I went down to the LFS just to check everything out and see what caught my eye, and wound up falling in love with the Black Phantom Tetras. I got 3 of them to start, and so far they are doing very well. I plan on building up a school of 6 black phantoms and 6 serpae tetras. I think these fish are a much better choice for a smaller tank like my 20G.
I just can't decide if I should get 1 more school of some kind of tetra, or a couple bottom feeders in there to round out the tank....I guess I'll have some time to think about it though. :)
Black phantom tetras are amazing fish, but choose their tankmates wisely as sometimes they do not play nice.