Tiger Barb/ Pleco Info Needed

Galaxie

Galaxie

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Feb 4, 2005
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Hi,

I have a 55 gallon tank with only a pleco. He's about 12-inches. I was wondering what peoples' opinions might be concerning adding additional fish to this aquarium. What would you guys add? ....How many?

One of my local stores is selling Tiger Barbs for $.88 each. I'm thinking about buying 10. This seems a great deal, however, will there be problems with the pleco? The barbs surely are fast enough to avoid him when he moves around, however, will the barbs eat his food before he can get to it? For example, my guppies & swords are voracious feeders and his algae tabs would be long gone before he would have time to get to them. This type fish wouldn't work with the pleco. For the most part, the Pleco eats algae and spirulina sinking tablets, seaweed sheets, sinking shrimp pellets, and the occasional cucumber/zucchini.

Thanks for any replies!
 
Hi, I actually have 4 Tiger Barbs. a bala shark, two fish from the pond, a big pink kissing gourami and 2 small cories with my common pleco who is at
about 8 inches now. They all get along like one big happy family. They are in a 55 gallon. No problems and they have been together for about 6 or 7
months. My Barbs don't really like the algae tablets more into the flakes, so I don't think that would be a problem. I would think a school of Barbs would
work out well especially at the great price.
 
A pleco and tiger barbs should get along fine, I have done it before. Plus you could keep way more then 10 in a 55g if you don't plan on keeping anything else. Tiger barbs can be super nippy so the more you have the better.
 
If feeding becomes an issue with the wafers and tabs, try feeding just after lights out on the tank. That'll give the pleco the edge.
 
jm1212 said:
what species is your pleco?

i cant think of any problems if you get enough of the tiger barbs other than the pleco taking up all of the bioload.
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The pleco is a common. I picked up 10 barbs and can already see they are going to be fun. They are all over the place. I might go pick up 10 more soon. :)
 
tiger barbs were the first fish i owned, i still have one of the originals left, he is a big tough one who lives with my Africans. and no they don't bother him at all.
 
Galaxie said:
Hi,

I have a 55 gallon tank with only a pleco. He's about 12-inches. I was wondering what peoples' opinions might be concerning adding additional fish to this aquarium. What would you guys add? ....How many?

One of my local stores is selling Tiger Barbs for $.88 each. I'm thinking about buying 10. This seems a great deal, however, will there be problems with the pleco? The barbs surely are fast enough to avoid him when he moves around, however, will the barbs eat his food before he can get to it? For example, my guppies & swords are voracious feeders and his algae tabs would be long gone before he would have time to get to them. This type fish wouldn't work with the pleco. For the most part, the Pleco eats algae and spirulina sinking tablets, seaweed sheets, sinking shrimp pellets, and the occasional cucumber/zucchini.

Thanks for any replies!
Click to expand...


10 might be pushing it with that large of a pleco (bioload-wise). Sounds like a cool tank, but I'd keep a sharp eye on your test results. As far as food, they should be fine, but I doubt the shrimp pellets will ever make it to the bottom. Tigers are PIGS, but very fun!
 
lindad229 said:
Hi, I actually have 4 Tiger Barbs. a bala shark, two fish from the pond, a big pink kissing gourami and 2 small cories with my common pleco who is at
about 8 inches now. They all get along like one big happy family. They are in a 55 gallon. No problems and they have been together for about 6 or 7
months. My Barbs don't really like the algae tablets more into the flakes, so I don't think that would be a problem. I would think a school of Barbs would
work out well especially at the great price.
Click to expand...

Wow, that sounds like alot of fish for a 55... what kind of "pond fish"?

Waiting for the more experienced to chime in here....
 
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