Archivarium 2004

[gi4get]

I will shortly be setting up a new 20 gal. tank. I currently have one betta, two female guppies and a female swordtail (not in the same tank of course ). My current fish may or may not become residents of the new tank. I'm looking to put together a community that is both active and healthy. I've done some research and have become very interested in tetras (specifically cardinal tetras), dwarf gourami, and barbs (specifically tiger barbs). Is this a good mix? If so, how many? If not, suggestions?

Advance thanks for the advice.
-Ashley
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love all things. wild. natural. beautiful.

[Jeff J.]

Do tiger barbs get along with the rest of those? I think they have to be kept in groups of 8 and have similarly sized fish in the aquarium.
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- Jeff J.

[gi4get]

That's what I'm concerned about. I've read when kept in groups tiger barbs more or less keep to harassing their own kind. Any suggestions?
_________________
love all things. wild. natural. beautiful.

[Jeff J.]

http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/cyprinids/barb_tiger.htm

On the above posted website it confirms that Tiger Barbs need to be in a pack in order to stop the nipping at other fish in the tank.

Also on the above-listed page is a list of compatible fish with Tiger Barbs. Some you noted are the following:

1 Red-Tail Shark OR 1 Rainbow Shark
All Gouramis
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- Jeff J.

[barb]

8 or more tiger barbs, and NO they won't harass the cardinals

[gi4get]

Barb-

Have you ever mixed the two? Does it help to have a school of each? Keeping in mind they'll be in a 20 gal.

Thanks
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love all things. wild. natural. beautiful.

[Taratron]

Just a note that rainbow and red-tailed sharks are both too large to be kept in a 20 gallon.
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But if you tame me, then we shall need each other....You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[Jeff J.]

What about the Rainbox/Red-Tail in a 29 gallon?
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- Jeff J.

[Taratron]

Nope.

I've heard keepers of these beauties lament that even their 55 gallon seems small...
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But if you tame me, then we shall need each other....You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[Choice Words]

The sharks are such speedy swimmers that they need all the space they can get.

Ashley,

I would put the female guppies, the swordtail, and cardinals, dwarf gourami, and possibly something else together.

The betta could get aggressive towards the guppies, and also towards the gourami, so I would keep him separately.

I advise against the barbs. A true school of them would overload your tank b/c they grow to 2.5-3", and less than a true school equals a lot of aggression.

The rest should be fine together, and you would still have space for some fish that contribute to the health of your tank, like a small pleco or some otos or corycats or Khulis.

Final tank:
2 female guppies
1 swordtail (assuming male)
6-8 cardinals
1 dwarf gourami
3 khulis or corys
1 pleco or 3 otos