FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have a new 55 gallon freshwater set up and wanting some ideas... I have 4 tiger barbs in it now and I'm going to add 3 more. I am wanting a redtail shark, a small school of silver dollars, and a few pictus catfish. Was also wondering if I could possibly keep 1 or 2 Electric Blue Acaras with some or all of these other fish. Thoughts and opinions? Thanks

I'll recommend my current favorite, the albino cory. Not sure about the mix though.

888-CORAL-REEF
Filtering discussion:
www.AlgaeScrubber.net

In my experience, tiger barbs are hard to pair with cichlids. Both have a tendency to be a bit aggressive, especially the cichlids. I'd suggest looking for another centerpiece fish to add to the mix that wont have long fins but will have a temperament to put up with the barbs without being too aggressive to anything else. Your two schooling fish also have a tendency of getting relatively big for a tank that size.

Santa Monica is spot on with the cories though. They are great in a planted tank with barbs! I used to have a school of tiger barbs (about 8), with a school of neon tetras (about 6-10 depending on the time) and a school of about 6 peppered cories. A kissing Gourami or other short finned medium temperment fish would really fill out your tank the rest of the way depending on what you're going for.

Best of luck!

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

I learned the hard way about the aggressiveness of cichlids

888-CORAL-REEF
Filtering discussion:
www.AlgaeScrubber.net

I love Cichlids. I didn't know they were aggressive towards Tiger Barbs.

- C. Smith



Research Studies: Reefbase.org