Green Tiger/Rosy Barb?

[emmaS]

Hi. I am currently cycling two tanks and have been going to the LFS to check out what kind of fish I should get. I keep changing my mind.

I noticed at one LFS they had green tiger barbs -- at another LFS they had rosy barbs. Can I put these two barbs together in one tank? Do I need to get 5 or more of each variety or altogether?

[ROLLIN]

You could have the two together. However the rosy barbs will like cooler water than the tiger barbs. Whichever you choose, get at least six. If these fish are going into the 26 gallon in your signature, I would skip the rosy barbs. They get quite large and like their swimming space. Also depending on the length of the tank, it may not be suitable for the tiger barbs either. IMO, they should have a tank with at least 3' length.

[Daudzegier]

I'd pick one or the other, and i just perfer tigers, so im partial to that already. If you do decide to get both be sure that you keep the exact same ammount in the tank, tigers can get agressive sometimes so you want the others to be able to defend themselves. Species will band together to fight off other species. its crazy. Ive seen three convict cichlids tear the hell out of a newly introduced red belly pacu to thier tank, just because it wasnt a convict cichlid. I was then able to add more convicts though.

[jm1212]

i wouldnt. tiger barbs need to be kept in school sof at least 12 to distribute aggression within the school, not accounting for any other fish in the tank. if you want to keep tiger abrbs with other fish, its best to have a group of at least 18, whcih would be to many for any of your tanks. if anything, do a tiger barb species tank in your 26 gallon and get 12.

[emmaS]

Okay thanks. Will tiger barbs be okay with a pleco? And do barbs ever turn on their own group or just nip non-barbs?

[jm1212]

if you watch them for a while, you will see that they are constantly nipping at one another. they develop a pecking order, and the tiger barb at the bottom is subjected to the most aggression. adding more would more evenly distribute this aggression bewteen them.

rubber lip plecos are very resiliant.