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I am going to be taking over a friends tank soon (hopefully before christmas!) As far as i know, its a 70l / 20Gal, 24" x 12" x 15" at the moment he has got one plec think its a golden nugget pleco, about ~5/6" with some tiger barbs not sure how many, i think its only a few as he used to have angels and a RTB Shark but i think pretty much everything is dieing off due to either age or lack of maintenace. His rents that are looking after it, plus his dad isnt well, and he's in rented accomodation... hence the reason for me having it.

Now ive promised him i'll look after the plec, so he's got to stay! My questions are:

1) depending on how many tiger barbs he's got should i try and find another fish to go with them? Any suggestions what would make a good tank mate? I know they are fiesty little things!

2) i would like a nice sized cichlid (yellow lab or Blue Acara) but i think with the plec that would be too much poop!! Am i right?

3) would i be best off with a tiger barb species tank? I've heard these can look fantastic.

Mmm, you'd have problems adding a "nice sized cichlid". Since that tank is so small, you have stocking problems already.
Gold nugget plecos (depending on the species) usually reach at least ten inches, much to large for that 70 litre tank. I would recommend moving it to another tank, but letting your friend know so that he doesn't get upset.
I wouldn't add a cichlid because the pleco produces so much waste, and because tiger barbs are such active fish. Even after you move the pleco, I'd still recommend against a cichlid. What you heard is correct, a tiger barb species tank is a sight to behold! Adding a cichlid would just overtax the bioload, and (possibly) cause problems with the barbs.

In that tank, I'd just keep between eight and ten tiger barbs, nothing else. Whatever you do though, don't add any fish at the moment, until you can move the pleco. It is already getting too big.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

i did forget to mention that i was a little worried about that the size of the plec... I havent seen him yet and there are soo many types of plecs id like to have a closer look at him to make sure its a golden nugget, but either way he's going to need a bigger tank. I'm getting this one for free, and am still planning on gettin a larger tank but space is a problem at the moment...

so that solves my dilema... its a tiger barb tank! and find a place for a... what at least 55 US GAL?

Yea I think a 55 would be fine for a 10" pleco.