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Stocking the 55 gallon tank now. (48" long, 12" high, 21" wide)

What I have right now is:
1 guppy (the other 2 died in quarantine)
6 Serpae Tetras
2 Ottos

What I want to add is:
3 more Ottos
2-4 more guppies (may not get these, and move the guppy to the 10 gal)
7 Tiger barbs
6-8 Green Tiger barbs
2 Gouramis
couple of Corys
And I would like a Red Tailed Shark

Any suggestions? Tweaks? Something I should add or scrap the idea of?

Oh, it’s a very well planted tank and I'm working on putting a piece of driftwood in it right now ^_^


Last edited by sandy02 at 22-Dec-2004 17:56

I think I've heard that the various mutations of tiger barbs don't get along terribly well (could be wrong on that). I would personally choose one type and get a bunch of them instead. *shrugs* But then, I love how big schools look.

In fact, if you're not set on tiger barbs, I'll tell you that the most impressive sight I've seen in a long time was a tank full of serpae tetras. They look absolutely stunning ... especially the long-finned variety.

For the ottos, I'd prolly bump it up to a total of six. Depending on the nippiness of your serpaes and/or barbs, you might not want to tempt them with long-finned fish such as male guppies or the long feelers of gouramis. Also, a "couple" cories isn't enough for a school... bump those up to at least four, better with six.

Of course, this is all opinion, I've never kept serpaes or tiger barbs. :%) Mmm... be careful of gouramis, some of them are territorial towards each other. Not sure which ones you were considering.

Going by the surface area rule, 84" of adult fish is about what you're looking at. I'm not going to do all your research for you (I'm lazy today... ), but you may want to keep that in mind when stocking.

Personally I'd adjust your stocking as follows:

A really big school of either serpae tetras or tiger barbs
6 ottos
6 cories

Dunno about redtailed sharks. I've left the gouramies out for now, not sure how nippy the serpaes/barbs are. Again, personally, I'd cut it down to one school of fish, either the barbs or the serpaes and then add a centerpiece fish. A large gourami or two (if not aggressive towards each otehr) would probably do well?

Oh, heck, I'm just playing around with your stocking. I don't have experience with the barbs, serpaes, sharks... yeah... so take what I say with a grain of salt.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

are you sure your dimensions are right?

I have never seen a 55g tank like that.

They are usually 48" long x 13" wide x 20"high.

I have a small group of 6 tiger barbs. They're mixed (Some green some normal) and seem to get along as well as can be expected. The only two that fight are both the same (and I'm not sure if they are fighting or mating).

I would be careful with the guppies and the tiger barbs. My tiger barbs go after the guppies I use as feeders (admittedly different) and sometimes eat them. Tigers can be pretty aggressive. As can the red-tailed shark - which I have and love. The shark chases around the barbs at food-time, but that's the only tension I've found between those two. No damage is done and it's pretty entertaining.

Good luck.

Well I've got 6 Tigers in gaurentine at the moment, and love them ^_^

I'm probably going to omit the green tiger barbs

The guppy I currently have in the tank thinks she's boss (and so far, has not been proven wrong), I do believe I see the onset of pregnacy in her now and will move her to the 10 gal before I move the barbs in the 55 (moving the female betta out of the 10 and into the 5 I've got laying around, or I may stick her in the 55 and see what happens)

I'm not fond of Gouramis and would gladly skip over them; I'm moving the two Ottos back into the pond after the next cold front (or into the 10 if I have to)


So far I have:
6 Serpae Tetras
6 Tiger Barbs

and will add:
1 Red Tailed Shark OR 1 (or two, if they can behave) Female Betta(s)
1-3 more Tiger Barbs
1-3 more Serpae Tetras
5-6 Panda Corys

To give me a total of (at most):
9 Serpae Tetras ( 1.3" )
9 Tiger Barbs ( 2.7" )
6 Panda Corys ( 1.9" )
1 Red Tailed Shark ( 6.6" ) OR 2 Female Bettas ( 2.5" )

54" with the shark, or 52.4" with the Bettas in a 55g tank... (and thats only if I max on the three schools)




Last edited by Sandy02 at 23-Dec-2004 14:38

I think I've heard that the various mutations of tiger barbs don't get along terribly well (could be wrong on that).

Yep, yer wrong Gourami variations on the other hand tend to not get along the greatest.

Have added the 6 Tiger Barbs to the tank, and the guppy has whipped them into shape -.-

She definatly is boss, there is one Tiger that is bothering her, but the Serpae Tetras gang up on him, its quite amusing.

Just keep an eye on them. The behavior may change as the barbs become used to the new environment. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

if you added the female bettas you are going to have trouble...

I added some guppies to leslie's 10 gallon with her "ladies" and the not so "ladylike" bettas ate them...ok to be honest they would eat half a guppy then drag the rest of the guppy to the java moss like a spider saving it's dinner...funny in a sick sort of way...so if you want your bettas find a new home for the guppy, or vice versa...if you want more guppies, then get rid of the females...and if you are in the houston area, i'll give you some...really needs to find a home for some of them...*wanders off shaking her head in disgust*

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

Nah, I've got plenty of choices for Bettas ^_~ and you'll notice I omitted the guppies in the final stocking with the girls; guppies and bettas don't mix, this I know ^_^

Would Tiger Barbs bother a blue ram?