Tiger Barbs for beginners?

[Lauren B.]

Does anyone think it's a decent idea, or should I just scrap it altogether? I saw 2 big tankfuls of tiger barbs this weekend and I was reminded of how utterly cute and perfectly fish-shaped they are, in my opinion. I used to keep a small school of them way back when. I know they're considered semi-aggressive, but do you think I would be able to fit enough in a 5-gal tank to keep the school happy?

Not that the price of tiny freshwaters matters, but the store had them on special for 50 cents each. They had 2 very large tanks of them and I've never seen so many tiger barbs in my life....literally hundreds. Maybe they accidentall over-ordered?

Lauren B. :1luvu:

[cocoa_pleco]

a school of four or 5 can be achieved in a 5g

[jweintraub]

If it's just a species tank and you don't try adding other fish to that 5G I think you'll be fine!

[kimmers318]

I wouldn't recommend a group of tiger barbs in a tank as small as 5 gal. Most recommendations say MINIMUM 10 gal, preferably larger. These are very active fish that do alot of fast swimming. Is there any way you could go with a bigger tank for these guys? If you don't have enough room you are likely to see more aggression issues out of them.

[Severus]

Yes, a 5 gal is too small. 4 or 5 full grown barbs in a 5gallon is going to be overcrowded. My Barbs in my 55gal swim all over very quickly. I cant imagine them being in anything smaller than a 10 or 20.

[KneeKickLou]

I would have to agree with kimmers and 100gw five gallons would be very small for tigers. I have a school of 6 in my 20 gallon and I was thinking that even might be to much. They are getting along great though and I have it a lot of extra filtration on it (2 aquaclear 30s). But yeah with 5 gallons I would look at a small school of neons or something a lot smaller then tiger barbs cherry carbs are a nice small fish too.

[Glasstapper]

the adult size of a tiger barb is 3 inches, and for active fish like them, they need a nice long tank to swim around. This ensures their happiness and health.

I would not recommend a school of them in a 5 gallon, but there are plenty of other options for your tank. If you like the barbs, there's the harlequin raspbora. They stay small enough to enjoy your 5 gallon, and many people even have them in a 5 gallon. I'd say you could go with a school of about 6 in your tank.

[Abbeys_Mom]

A 5g is very limiting when it comes to fish. Even with a 10g, I would not get schooling fish. I have 2 danios and they don't seem to have enough room. They hang out in the filter current (I guess it makes them feel like they are swimming faster).

[Incredulous_Ed]

Tiger barbs get way too big for that tank. they are entertaining to watch tho!

[cocoa_pleco]

What about killis? i heard you can put 6 in a 5g

[Severus]

That is pretty tight, but killies are slightly smaller than barbs and a lot more calm.

[cocoa_pleco]

ive seen people with 4 killis in a 2.5g, so you should be good with 6 in a 5g

[Severus]

Maybe, by themselves though. I am just big on giving fish plenty of room.

[kimmers318]

Unfortunately, just since people have done something doesn't mean it should be done.

[Severus]

Unfortunately, just since people have done something doesn't mean it should be done.

Exactly. My gf has a 10 gallon with a divider and all that is kept are two bettas on each side. In my opinion smaller schooling fish should be kept in a 10gallon at an absolute minimum, 20gal being ideal

[cocoa_pleco]

Exactly. My gf has a 10 gallon with a divider and all that is kept are two bettas on each side. In my opinion smaller schooling fish should be kept in a 10gallon at an absolute minimum, 20gal being ideal


i guess so.

[Severus]

It would be like you and 4 or 5 friends stuck in your bedroom for life. Not too pleasant. lol

[jeffs99dime]

It would be like you and 4 or 5 friends stuck in your bedroom for life. Not too pleasant. lol

doesn't that sound like fun! lol

[Abbeys_Mom]

LOL, I guess it would depend who your friends were.

[Severus]

LOL, I guess it would depend who your friends were.

Good point! lol