Anybody Have The Same Feeling Towards Tiger Barbs?

[HairyDave]

I recently purchased 4 juvenile tiger barbs and have come to the conclusion that these are horrible horrible fish. I don't know if it was my newbie attitude about buying fish because 'it looks nice' and not looking into the temprament of the things. Anyways, does anyone share the same feelings as me or am I just being totally Tiger barbist!

 

[rdd1952]

You are right about them. In my opinion, they are definitely not community fish. You are also probably right about them looking nice and suckering you in. You aren't the first one to buy fish without researching first and certainly won't be the last. If you can return them, that would be the best way to go but if not, you can usually increase their numbers to spread the aggression.

Also, from looking at your other fish, you will definitely need to start looking for a larger tank for the pleco and the cihlids. The pleco will grow up to 2 feet long and grow pretty quickly. He will probably outgrow your tank in less than a year. They are also terribly messy fish so they cut down on your stocking level.

The cichlids will reach about 5 inches but I'm not sure how fast they grow. Having 4 could also be a problem as I think they are best kept as a single fish or in a male/female pair. The info I found said a single pair would need at least a 40 gallon tank and that it ws possible to keep 2 pair in a 55 gallon tank if properly decorated. You may want to ask about them in the New World Cichlid section.

 

[WILDER]

My hubby nearly bought me some once when he went to the lfs on his own.
The lfs told him they could be very nippy, so he diidn't get them.
I said you did the right thing as I don't want nippy fish in my tank, as all my other fish are peaceful.

 

[DevUK]

They can be missunderstood though. There was a nice writeup in PFK last year about tiger barbs. Essentially the advice was to keep them in larger groups of I guess 8 or so. It spreads the aggression and they are more peaceful.

If you want the look of tigers but far more peaceful (and border line timid if you don't give them some plant cover as a safety net) I can whole heartedly recommend Pentazona barbs. They look similar (better in my opinion) but are really peaceful. I have 6 at the moment and hope to get more in the future.

A pic of mine as juvi's and a quick writeup I did (the males colour up a little more when they get older):

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Cyprinid...entazona-Barb-/

 

[backtotropical]

Tiger Barbs are great fish which too many people write off immediately because of their reputation for being aggressive.

As DevUK says, if you research them, you'll find that kept in groups of 8+, they can make excellent community fish. This is because they prefer to chase each other and with 7 others to keep them occupied, they will barely find time to chase other tank mates.

You will usually find that the bigger the shoal, the less aggression is shown toward other fish.

I say stick with them, they can be very rewarding.

Cheers

BTT

 

[HairyDave]

Problem solved, I have given the Tigers to my friend and in return he has given me some more sajica fry I understand that this tank is slightly small but I am getting a 200L tomorrow from another friend of mine and the plec will go in there once it has been cycled and decorated. I'm thinking cichlids are definately they way I want to go as my friends frontosa's are awesome to watch and they just seem like a more 'peacefull' species than of tropical tankmates, lol.

Thanks for the comments and advice though rdd very much appreciated, I'm going to have to do some more research before I go and pull off another noob manouvre!

Thanks again

 

[SJ2K]

When I have a large enough tank to propperly support a large group of tigers i wont hessitate to get myself some.

 

[stang1]

As already stated, Tiger Barbs are best kept in a big shoal to minimise aggression.
I'm with Dev on the Pentazona Barbs, really peaceful and a great community fish. I've had mine for 18 months now and enjoy them so much that I'm considering getting some more for my other tank!

 

[vinylman]

Yup, Pentazona Barbs for me, too. That pinkish/reddish tinge the males have is fabulous. They'll get along with just about any other fish you want to add as well.

 

[DevUK]

I love the way pentazonas swim about Seems a bit odd, almost like they're hovering.

 

[simonas]

great fish tiger barbs. we have them in sons community tank. not really a problem unllike the serpaes!!

 

[brett174]

I'm not sure why tiger barbs have such a bad reputation. I have 6 of them in a 32 gallon tank with much smaller neon rainbowfish and some even smaller golden barbs. They are so busy chasing each other (they dont nip, just chase) they couldnt seem to care less about any other fish.

I've also just introduced a Bolivian Ram and was worried his long flowing fins could be a target but that hasnt been the case at all.
I find them really colourful, active and an interesting fish, I cant recommend them enough, just make sure you have atleast 4 in a decent size tank

 

[Miss Wiggle]

have to say i hate them as well, one of my all time least favourite fish. don't like how they look and don't like the temprement

 

[MarkM]

I have six in a community...yes they chase any new addition for a few hours...but they are fine after that...they get along with everything and are even chased regulary at feeding time by my German Blue Ram and RTBS...they are submissive to them and flee away...my Ram and RTBS rule the tank even though they are smaller than the Barbs

 

[Piltdownpaul]

Ive had 6 pentazonas for over 2 years now-They look great once they get some size to them and they move round the tank peacefully. Never really liked the tigers-i always thought they looked a bit stocky-not the perfect shape for a cyprinid. Ive heard though keeping plenty is the way to keep the agression down.