checkerboard or checker barb

laruem2000

AC Members
Oct 1, 2004
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Would anyone recommend checkerboard barbs?

Are they compatible with tiger barbs?

Would you recommend something else other than checkerboard barbs?

I'm looking to fill in the water column and want to expand/combine my two tiger barbs either with checkerboard barbs or tbs. How many is a good number?

Currently my elder CAE keeps the tbs in line - they don't pick on anyone else or each other and the CAE only picks on them.

I would love to hear your advice and opinions! Thanks
 
Even though they are not the most colorful fish out there I have always liked checkers. Along with Cherries they are the most peaceful of the barbs. If you already have two tiger barbs then by all means get some more. They tend to leave other fish alone when kept in groups of six or more. They will not school with checkers at all. Generally it is a bad idea to get two of a bunch of different fish and then expect them to school with each other. It rarely happens.
 
Unless you have a school care on the barbs. I had three of different species in a 20 gallon and the checkered bard became a menise. But yes they are spussosedly very good peaceful fish.
 
I've found checkered to be much more peaceful than tigers, and wouldn't recommend them being combined. Mine are almost more peaceful than cherry barbs. Unless you have a very large tank just combine tigers with tigers.

In my 90 I keep 3 elder tigers with some larger arulius and a clown barb and they easily hold their own. I used to have a group of 14, but they slowly died off. When this group finally gives up I'm probably going to start with a new school of babies at all the same size again. Currently i have 2.5 inch monsters, and no LFS near me ever sells large tigers.

They do better in groups with individuals all about the same size, and less males than females. Males are the ones with brighter red and very obvious red noses. They are also generally the ones that do most of the chasing. My females were always much more peaceful. Odd numbers 5 and above also helped. I don't really know why.

--Mia
 
My two current tbs seem to be fems as they only have a slight shading of red on their noses. And they don't pester anybody including each other. I guess that's why I was thinking I could mix them with another species. But if everyone says not too, I'll listen. How many do I have room for in my tank?
 
I have a 46 gallon tank with 8-10 rosy barbs, like 4 cherry barbs, and 4 checkerboard barbs (i'm currently trying to breed them) and some other fish (all com. fish, guppies mostly) and they all get along, I wouldn't place any bets on tiger barbs with by guppies though!!
 
All color variations of Tigers will school with one another if that's your question. I have "regular", gold and green and they school without hesitation.
 
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