Barbs (and friends) for a 20G?

**DrNic** · 06-25-2009, 01:00 AM

I have a recently emptied cycled 20G tank. I was thinking about adding some barbs but I wasn't sure how many the tank.

I would like to have a mix of tiger, albino tiger and green barbs (3 each?), plus maybe some friends, zebrafish, corys and maybe something else.

Any thoughts?

**Red** · 06-25-2009, 01:16 AM

I would just have the barbs and some cories, and other bottom feeders. Wouldn't risk anything that invades the tiger area.

**William** · 06-25-2009, 01:21 AM

I would just get one of the tiger barb types and get more of that. But that is mostly becasue i don't like to mix color morphs in the same tank.

**DrNic** · 06-25-2009, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by The Red Severum

I would just have the barbs and some cories, and other bottom feeders. Wouldn't risk anything that invades the tiger area.

Fair enough but what's a good number for a 20G tank?

**Red** · 06-25-2009, 01:23 AM

I like 5-7 tigerbarbs, and if you think the tank looks empty add 1-2 more. I would have 5 cories and one bristlnose.

**DrNic** · 06-25-2009, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by The Red Severum

I like 5-7 tigerbarbs, and if you think the tank looks empty add 1-2 more. I would have 5 cories and one bristlnose.

Cool. Hopefully I'll actually make it to the LFS this weekend. I'll toss up photos when I get back ;-)

**jaysee** · 06-25-2009, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by William

I would just get one of the tiger barb types and get more of that. But that is mostly becasue i don't like to mixcolro morphs in the same tank.

Agreed.

Be prepared for the tigers turning on their tank mates though, even the corys. I think a tank of tigers is a great opportunity to get a crayfish. I was going to move the one in my 30 to the tiger tank, but I just enjoy watching him hunt too much.

**DrNic** · 06-25-2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by jaysee

Agreed.

Be prepared for the tigers turning on their tank mates though, even the corys. I think a tank of tigers is a great opportunity to get a crayfish. I was going to move the one in my 30 to the tiger tank, but I just enjoy watching him hunt too much.

Are there problems keeping the different color morphs together? Or is it just a personal preference?

My LFS always has standard and blue crayfish. With my recent troubles with my cherry shrimp though I'm a little cautious to try them.

**PostalPenguin** · 06-25-2009, 03:14 PM

I have 7 tiger barbs in my 20g tank. 2 greens and 5 regulars. They school together and play with each other just fine so it is just personal preference. They now have two platys with them and besides some initial curiousity the tigers leave the platys alone. I highly recommend tigers if you can get a big enough school(which you can with a 20g) and keep them in a species only or limited community tank.

They are also in with a single oto and leave him alone completely. They even try to school with the oto when it zooms around the tank. And if you do get tigers I highly recommend feeding them platy or any livebearer fry as a treat. It is quite the spectacle.

**jaysee** · 06-25-2009, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Nic

Are there problems keeping the different color morphs together? Or is it just a personal preference?

My LFS always has standard and blue crayfish. With my recent troubles with my cherry shrimp though I'm a little cautious to try them.

No, it's strictly aesthetic.

Crayfish are as hearty as they come, and there are many to choose from on aquabid. In fact, many sellers offer live arrival guaruntees with priority shipping because they're so tough. I would only get one, though, for a 20 gallon. They do a fantastic job cleaning the tank, but are diggers.

If you have copper in your water the crays will die too.