Help with compatibility and selection

[ddm0502]

While my 55G tank is cycling, I've been looking at fish online, reading fish profiles, and makeing trips to several LFS's to have a look at the creatures I'm considering in person. Two fish I've fallen in love with are Tiger Barbs and Clown Loaches. The barbs can be nippy, but I haven't read of anyone having problems keeping these two species together, so I'm not concerned about that. I do question whether I have enough room for the loaches, since the information I've read about them has been very inconsistant. For maximum size, I've read everything from 7"-24". Some say they'll only get 7" in a tank but can get 12" in the wild. Others say 12" in a tank, 24" in the wild. I've read a minnimum reccomended tank size anywhere from 30G to 70G. So people who own Clown Loaches, how big are they and what size tank do you keep them in?

Next, my father has asked to let him keep a Red Tail Shark in my tank as a father's day gift. No problem with me, since I like the shark as well. I remembering having one in my tank when I was a kid. From what I've read, the shark has a simmilar personality to the barbs. Does this mean they'll get along, or will it cause too much conflict? And what about with the loaches?

The final fish I'm considering are corys. Specificly, Albino Cory's since they'll stand out best against by dark gravel. Will they be ok, or is my tank too aggressive for the small, peaceful catfish?

So, fish totals projected are:
6-8 Tiger Barbs
3-4 Clown Loaches
1 Red Tail Shark
5-6 Albino Corys

Overpopulated? Too aggressive for the Corys? I'm open to your suggestions if you have anything to add or change.

 

[Lorazoo]

I would say forget the clown loaches. 55 is too small since they do best in groups of 5 or more. I would get the tiger barbs, nice size school, even 15. The red Tail Shark would be fine (one of my pers favs) as long as you only have one. They are territorial, and will fight to the death with one of their own kind once they mature. Then you could get a nice school of 6 cory cats. If you only do 8 Tiger barbs, you could get some other Brab species too, or something tough anyway. I love cherry barbs. They arent schooling fish, but you could do a few in a 55 and the males have a beautiful red color. With the shark and Corys, I would say your bottom dwellers capacity would be full. Thats my opinion anyway.

 

[solayedbacc]

Yeah I've been thinking of Tiger barbs myself... little bit aggressive but should be fine with fish around its size... I think they are good looking and school nicely to...

I have a Pacu right now & it is very peaceful wit my other fish such as Red-Eye Tetras...

I got a two Glass Catfish & they are a joke... they hide behind my heater lol...

-Shawn

 

[monkey_toes]

I have a Pacu right now

I hope you've got a place to keep a 40-pound fish when he grows up.

I got a two Glass Catfish & they are a joke... they hide behind my heater

Glass cats are a nervous, shy species by nature, but having only two isn't helping anything. They are a schooling fish and you really need to keep them in groups of at least 6 or 8.

 

[monkey_toes]

Overpopulated? Too aggressive for the Corys? I'm open to your suggestions if you have anything to add or change.

Cory cats can put up with a lot, including mildly aggressive tankmates thanks to their armor plating. There are several other loach species (perhaps zebra or yoyo loaches) that have a smaller adult size than clowns but are no less attractive and amusing. How about this:

6 Tiger Barbs
6 Rosy Barbs
4 Zebra or Yoyo Loaches
1 Red Tail Shark
6 Albino Corys

Having a second barb species will mean more activity in the mid and upper levels of the water to balance out the cories and loaches on the bottom.

 

[ddm0502]

Cory cats can put up with a lot, including mildly aggressive tankmates thanks to their armor plating. There are several other loach species (perhaps zebra or yoyo loaches) that have a smaller adult size than clowns but are no less attractive and amusing. How about this:

6 Tiger Barbs
6 Rosy Barbs
4 Zebra or Yoyo Loaches
1 Red Tail Shark
6 Albino Corys

Having a second barb species will mean more activity in the mid and upper levels of the water to balance out the cories and loaches on the bottom.

That looks like a good setup. The Zebra Loaches look nice, I'll have to see if I can find some. But don't the Rosy Barbs get about 6" long? Having six of them with the other fish might be a bit much.

 

[TorturedSOUL]

If you get loaches be prepared for ich. Also you probably shouldn't add all those fishes at once even if your tank is cycled. I know it's hard but you should add them a few at a time 1) You can see if any of them have ich or are sick 2) it slowly increases your bio-load 3) Fish are expensive and it sucks when they die because of 1) or 2)

 

[Web Gazelle]

Here is what I am thinking you might consider for stalking levels..

6 Tiger Barbs
6 Green Tiger Barbs
3-4 Bengal Loaches
4-6 Corys (your choice)
1 Red Tailed Black Shark

That should work fine in a 55 gallon and the two kinds of Tiger Barbs will be happy together.

 

[ddm0502]

From the suggestions of everyone here, plug reading reviews of the suggested fish, I think a good choise for my tank will be

6 Tiger Barbs
6 Green Tiger Barbs
4 Zebra Loaches
6 Albino Corys
1 Red Tail Shark

Now, as long as I can find the Zebra Loaches locally, I'll be ok. I haven't seen them yet, but I've only been to a few LFSs and there's a few more I haven't checked yet. Plus, one has already told me they can order just about any fish I ask for. Now I just have to wait for the tank to cycle and everything will be set.

 

[Web Gazelle]

I think you will like the fish you have listed there. I just looked up the Zebra Loach and those things look cool!