Fishing for ideas...

Kires1

Kires1

AC Members
Feb 20, 2005
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Hi Folks,

Can anybody offer ideas for fish which would get along well with my current load? I currently have a 55gal freshwater with:

2 small Green Barbs (maybe 1" to 2" long)
1 small tiger Barb (1")
4 Monk Tetras (2")
3 Black Skirt Tetras (1" to 2")
3 Silver Tetras (2")
2 Diamond Tetras (2")
1 Red Tail shark (3")

I was thinking of adding a few fish (perhaps some more colorful or unique ones) that would get along, as well as not exceed 6" when fully grown? Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Kires1 said:
Hi Folks,

Can anybody offer ideas for fish which would get along well with my current load? I currently have a 55gal freshwater with:

2 small Green Barbs (maybe 1" to 2" long)
1 small tiger Barb (1")
4 Monk Tetras (2")
3 Black Skirt Tetras (1" to 2")
3 Silver Tetras (2")
2 Diamond Tetras (2")
1 Red Tail shark (3")

I was thinking of adding a few fish (perhaps some more colorful or unique ones) that would get along, as well as not exceed 6" when fully grown? Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
If it were my tank, I would concentrate on rounding out my existing schools. Most of the fish you have listed prefer to be in groups of 6 or more. The fish will exhibit much more natural behavior and color, as well as be less stressed in proper sized schools.
 
Thanks Harlock,

I was also giving the same some thought... The Tiger used to have a buddy but he died the day after I brought the lot home weeks ago. For such small fish in a 55 gal do you think I could add, say 4 at a time 1 week...then wait a couple weeks and do the same? Or do you think the bio load would be comprimised too much by adding 4 at once? I've read where some believe it's better to add at least 2 fish at once, so the others in the tank don't gang up on the "new guy". What do you think?

Thanks.
 
Usually the rule is 2-3 fish at a time. If you have the means and a source, you could always add BIO-Spira and then many more fish.
 
Sounds good. I do have access to Bio Spira, in fact I used it mid cycle to knock my Nitrites down (which it did in about 48 hours) from 2ppm to <.25ppm. I think I'll look for a couple tigers and a couple Diamonds this weekend and slowly build the existing schools to 5 or 6. I'm also looking at a snowball Pleco (my wife likes the way they look). Judging from the Bio on liveaquaria seems like one would be an allright fit... Do you think so?

Thanks.
 
Well, tiger barbs aren't exactly peaceful fish, but with a large enough school in which to take out their aggression amongst a pecking order, a snowball may be safe. Also, snce it can get near 6 and a half inches it might muscle plants around a bit. I don't know if this is a planted tank or not.
 
Yep, my tiger and 2 green barbs like to chase and nip each other, but for the most part leave everyone else alone. The tank only has fake plants...
 
Kires1 said:
Yep, my tiger and 2 green barbs like to chase and nip each other, but for the most part leave everyone else alone. The tank only has fake plants...
Click to expand...
Then I think you might be okay. I think it would be well-advised to have a backup plan for either the pleco or the barbs, just in case. It could be as simple as returning the pleco, or the barbs or as complicated (but much more fun) as setting up a new tank!
 
I ended up buying 2 Diamonds and one special Snowball Pleco about 2" long. All are acclimating well...the other two Diamonds are happy to have some friends. The RT Shark seems to like to keep the Barbs and Tetras away from Snowball while he feeds on a bit of alge wafers, it's very cool. I've got a picture I'd like to post but the file size is too big :(
 
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