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Ok so I have 2 tanks. 1 x 10g with a male betta. 1 x 24g with 2 platys, 5 black widows
At the weekend I bought some new fishes for both.

Under the advisement of my LFS (I know, I know, I shouldn’t have listened but I always get sucked in by them!), I bought 6 cherry barbs for the 10g. I was told that they were very peaceful and would not harass or nip my lovely Otis (betta). So it came to some surprise when last night 2 of the cherry barbs were giving Otis nasty nips on his beautiful fins. I managed to catch 4 of the blighters and dropped them into the bigger tank.

For the 24g I bought 2 (tiny) BNs and 3 clown loaches. Now, on another thread someone suggested that between the 2 species both will get very large and produce too much waste for the size of my tank.

I’m a bit concern that with the extra cherry barbs I may added too much too quickly. I’m just wondering if there are any options available to me other than return some of my new purchase to the LFS. Is there any swapping around I could do? Looking at the fish in the 24g (2 platys, 5 black widows, 2 BN, 2 clown loaches, 4 cherry barbs) could you see any suitable tank mates for Otis in his 10g?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thank you!

I think you are in a pickle here.

But there is one option left -->

Add one more tank

Ingo

PS: I know this was not the smartest statement, but you basically have answered your own question already, I would suggest you return the BN and Clowns.

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 05-Jul-2005 19:14

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I agree get a bigger tank! I if you can't I would advise you to return the clown loaches which can reach a size of 14"

Hi
Cherry Barbs are "usually" peaceful.
I am surprised your betta would let them
get away with nibbling on him.

Ok heres the info you do need:
The BN Pleco is just fine in either tank.
They get to be 4 inches, and while are poo machines,
with regular tank maintenance it will not be a problem.
Clown loaches however, are the problem. These guys get to be about 12 inches, and grow fast.
They need about a 100 gallon tank to have 6, and you really should have 6 at least as they are very friendly and jovial natured critters who can die of loneliness.
I would return the cherry barbs cuz you got a nasty set,
and the clown loaches.
keep the bn in your 24g tank.
To go with the betta, a couple of suggestions that would probably work:
white cloud mountain minnows
harlequin rasboras
glowlight tetras
lemon tetras
neon tetras
Dwarf Corys such as Hasbrosus species
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Instead of the clown loaches
your 24g tank could stand some other types
of loaches:
3 of:
polka dot loach
yoyo loach
kuhli loach (6-8)

I hope this answers your question a bit.
Cherry barbs are not schoolers. Usually they are kept
singly or in pairs, perhaps you could just keep the 2 most peaceful ones,
or keep 2 in your 10g and 4 in your 24g.
Oh I just noticed that you got 2 BN cats.
hmmm, well if you decide to keep both of them in your 24g tank, then consider it fully stocked.
Also, if both are male there is a chance they will fight.
I am not sure how badly.
You could keep 1 bn in with your betta for company.
and the other in your 24g.


Last edited by sneaky_pete at 05-Jul-2005 19:44

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6 clown loaches would need at least a 3 foot wide and 6 foot long to thrive...JMO.

Yes, you do have a problem

In all honesty I like Ingo's ideago get yourself another tanka 125 or larger would do just nicely with the clownloachesand then you would also have plenty of room for the cherry barbs, and black widows, and increase the amounts

Then I'd take the 24 gallon and make it a platy tank

Of course that is my idea, otherwise a real solution is going to be to move your bn's to the 10 gallon with Otis, and you are going to have to take the Clowns back, they are going to outgrow the 24 gallon in no time, and you don't want them to be stunted and miserable

heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

If your BN's are both males, they will tussel over territory. I would just put one BN in each of your tanks, and realize that there might come a time when the one in the 10g needs to be moved. I wouldn't keep 2 in a 10g.

Thanks for all your advice.

As much as I'd love a new bigger tank, I think my boyfriend would leave me! I'll work on him but in the meantime I'll take the clown loaches back at the weekend. To be honest, even though they are quite cute, they've been hiding under rocks all week so will hardly be missed. Not sure what to purchase in their place yet. Might just take the credit for now.

I'll keep an eye on the BNs and if they both turn out to be boys I'll move one into the 10g. The two remaining cherry barbs with Otis haven't gone near him so they can stay.

Phew! Disaster averted!

Thanks again



Last edited by fishymama at 06-Jul-2005 19:05