I'm ready to jump back into fishkeeping after about 4 years of absence. In the past, I've kept mainly large CA cichlids (convicts, texas, managuese, jack dempsy). I don't want to fall into the trap of getting giant tanks again. I've decided to go with shell dweling multi's. I plan on getting a 20 gallon long tank (30x12x12) or maybe a 20 gallon regular; with argonite sand, a few plastic plants, minimal rock work, and of course shells. What I'm curious about is dither fish. I'm not real excited about danios as they lack personality and aren't much to look at either. What I'd really like is a small school (6-8) tiger barbs. In the past I've kept them in community tank and liked them alot. I know they prefer neutral water, but my previous tap water was around 7.8 and they seemed to thrive. Would anyone see a problem with this? I don't think the barbs would bother the cichlids much and I don't see the cichlids hurting the barbs, about the only thing I'm worried about is the water hardness getting to the barbs.
multis with tiger barbs
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Seaman
Shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad etc...
You dont really need dither fish with multies, they are herum broaders so ideally you want 3-4 females per male. And you really dont need dither fish....they will just breed and take care of their babies, and breed some more...there really wont be too much aggression as long as you set it up as a herum....if you have to many males then that could be a problem.
I would get one male and 3 females for a 20g...and IMO I would get a tank with the most bottom area...so a 20 long would be better than a 20 normal. Also make sure and use the smalles gravel you can find....sand would work but I personally dont like sand...My .02
Good luck and shellies are soooo much fun!!!
I would get one male and 3 females for a 20g...and IMO I would get a tank with the most bottom area...so a 20 long would be better than a 20 normal. Also make sure and use the smalles gravel you can find....sand would work but I personally dont like sand...My .02
Good luck and shellies are soooo much fun!!!
Plus the hard alkaline water that multis need would not suit the tigers.If you really want dithers then livebearers would be much more suited to the water, but I would agree with seanman, once they start breeding there wont be a need/room for dithers.