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As always, I buy the fish and bring it home only to wonder if I didn't really think it through. I have a small 2.5 gl. tank that I use to isolate fish before I put them in larger tank. Since I now have probably more than I need in it, I figured to finally put one fish in small for good. I bought 1 tiger barb. I bring it home to find that is needs to be in schools.
Is 1 ok in 2.5 gl. Would a school of about 5 be ok with 10 inch oscar in 55 gl.? Might only be food right?

yes, it will be food, and yes, tiger barbs school. I would keep maybe a beta in a 2.5 gallon with a couple of shrimp.

Bring the TB back or get him a 30 gallon tank with at least 7 other friends, and do what veteric said with the 2.5 gallon. Tiger barbs do not do well as a solo fish, I've had experience with one that went haywire on my black phantoms because he was in a tank too small and had no school. Tiger barbs are very active fish and need a lot of room to swim around. Unless you're willing to spend the money for another tank, bring him back, most stores will give you a store credit. Bettas are the best thing for small tanks like that, and depending on your bettas temper, you may be able to keep him with ghost shrimp. But be warned, they might end up at lunch.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Thanks all. I guess that I will have to change up.

beta's look much more nice anyhow. If you want a good looking 2.5 I'de say do some java fern in it (you'll have to clip it back now and then so it doesn't get too large) and maybe some other very low light plant.