1st tank! Quick question!

[Mike4155]

:newbie:
Hey, just recently started my first tank! I have a little 10 gal w/ a nice bio filter. (I wish i would have just bought the 20 gal but oh well) I did the whole cycling thing and bought 3 tiger barbs to get my tank started. I was wondering what other fish would be a good addition to my tank? I heard Barbs can be a little surly at times and want to make sure they dont pick on my other fish. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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[dansnyder]

Nice tank! I would go for a couple corydoras. Loaches are nice too. Gouramis. It really depends on what kind of tank you want. Just keep in mind that you don't wanna crowd a 10 gallon. If you do then you'll need to do a lot more to maintain the tank. Barbs are a bit more aggressive than the average freshwater fish you can get at the average fish store but they really aren't too bad. I'd add 2 corys and some cardinal tetras. For some personality and color.

 

[Mike4155]

Thanks! Now, before I add new fish how long should i wait?

 

[jbradt]

Honestly, I think tiger barbs will get too big for a 10g.

 

[dansnyder]

I sortof agree actually. Tiger barbs are a schooling fish, and they require larger numbers (~5) to prevent any one fish in the "school" to over-aggress another fish. So, in a 10 gallon, probably 5 is a maximum. You might be able to get a clown loach in there. They do best with barbs. Sometimes they even school with them.

 

[dansnyder]

Wait a week or so, let the habitat normalize, and see how they're all doing. Make sure everything is healthy and that the tank isn't getting overly smelly or anything. If you get 2 more tiger barbs and a clown loach you'll be at capacity for the tank. Make sure you do a good job keeping the tank clean at those numbers. A 10 gallon tank can hold plenty of fish. You just need to do a lot more maintenance to keep the tank healthy.

 

[jbradt]

I sortof agree actually. Tiger barbs are a schooling fish, and they require larger numbers (~5) to prevent any one fish in the "school" to over-aggress another fish. So, in a 10 gallon, probably 5 is a maximum. You might be able to get a clown loach in there. They do best with barbs. Sometimes they even school with them.

Clown loaches can get over a foot long, and also are a social fish. No way they should be put in a 10g. Stick with smaller/less active fish.

 

[dansnyder]

Yup, I agree. I just never had one long enough I guess Ignore my suggestion.

 

[rufioman]

Barbs get quite large and are semi-aggressive. Having said that I think you could go all barbs and do 4 or 5 but they do tend to get large. It doesn't leave much room for other fish. Welcome and gl :cheers:

 

[dansnyder]

A Botia is the type of fish I was thinking about. Sorry. That might be a good idea.