Compatibility Question

[IC1]

Does anyone know if a red tailed black shark would get on with a red line torpedo barb?

Also would a RTBS get on with a rubber nose plece?

180 litre tank.

Thanks in advanced

IC1

 

[Ben M]

hi, i don't know if they would be ok together, but the red line torpedo barbs need to live in groups of 6 at the very least, and need a tank bigger than 180l.

cheers

 

[IC1]

Thanks Pest control, I am looking for additional RLTB but local shops are not currently stocking. Don't fancy putting a fish through mail order!

What's your source for suggesting housing in >180l tank? Would 190l be ok? Please clarify.

Thanks

IC1

 

[Truck]

Don't fancy putting a fish through mail order!

How do you think they get to the shops?

 

[IC1]

Good point, well made. Lol

 

[mattlee]

i wouldnt put torpedo barbs in anything less than 240L, theyre not called torpedo barbs for nothing and need room and be in groups

 

[IC1]

Thanks mattlee,

I am planning to replace tank with a larger one in the future, however you state 240l but what is a good length/width ratio, a 240l would be about ~8 inches longer than my current tank, is this a significant difference? 240l could be arranged in a cube with a length less than mine.

My barb is ~3 inches, the tank at ~36 inches long, adding another ~8 inches is 'pico' seconds of extra swim time, alot of arbitary minimum sizes are bandied around all of the time without any science behind it (everyone has an opinion which is great, show me the science). I see larger tanks on here all the time with huge fish in which have poorer fish length to tank length ratios.

In addition I see these fast barb type species in 240 - 400 litre tanks crammed with bogwood and all sorts which compartmentalises tanks and reduces swim space.

Too much subjective posts creating tropical fish keeping myth which then people take as fact. In addition what are all these nano tanks about? You can argue the same ratio issue for a rummy nose placed in these thnigs.

How do we know these sizes are not suitable? If the fish remain healthy, do not demonstrate stress, feed and maintain vibrant colours, is there an issue? I admit, I do not know.

In addtion you could create the illusion of a longer tank with a tunze to give these fish something to swim against?

Whats is the right answer from all these variables?

 

[BethK]

Red tailed sharks shouldn't go in a tank with fish that are red in colour. My mate had this issue and her red tails killed off her red fish, my lfs also said they shouldn't go with red coloured fish.

Dunno if it is the same with fish that have a red in them but thought i would say.

 

[mattlee]

Thanks mattlee,

I am planning to replace tank with a larger one in the future, however you state 240l but what is a good length/width ratio, a 240l would be about ~8 inches longer than my current tank, is this a significant difference? 240l could be arranged in a cube with a length less than mine.

My barb is ~3 inches, the tank at ~36 inches long, adding another ~8 inches is 'pico' seconds of extra swim time, alot of arbitary minimum sizes are bandied around all of the time without any science behind it (everyone has an opinion which is great, show me the science). I see larger tanks on here all the time with huge fish in which have poorer fish length to tank length ratios.

In addition I see these fast barb type species in 240 - 400 litre tanks crammed with bogwood and all sorts which compartmentalises tanks and reduces swim space.

Too much subjective posts creating tropical fish keeping myth which then people take as fact. In addition what are all these nano tanks about? You can argue the same ratio issue for a rummy nose placed in these thnigs.

How do we know these sizes are not suitable? If the fish remain healthy, do not demonstrate stress, feed and maintain vibrant colours, is there an issue? I admit, I do not know.

In addtion you could create the illusion of a longer tank with a tunze to give these fish something to swim against?

Whats is the right answer from all these variables?

one of my tanks is a 240L 4ft long tank and i wouldnt want to put these barbs in anything smaller to be honest.

i think 8 inches in a world thats 36 inches long is quite a difference, dont you?

a fast flow of water does make the fish swim harder and will seem to create a bigger environment but not all fish want to constantly be battling against the flow so it would have to be thought about when stocking.

i dont think many tanks are ideal for keeping fish. yes the water may be perfect, all the fish may seem healthy and colourfull but they are trapped inside a small man made environment instead of their natural habitat where they have the choice to swim as fast and far as possible if they want to. i guess the only good thing is most peoples stocking wont have predators for the fish to be concerned about.... dont get me wrong i have several tanks and love fish keeping but if looked at from the fishes point of view most tanks arent ideal for them. if you imagine torpedo barbs in the wild you could imagine them swimming fast and in huge groups, so when put in a 36 inch space they may not be too happy but will get used to it in time. tank sizes are anyones guess but people normally have their say and give a minimum of which in their minds isnt too cruel to keep certain fish. so as i said above an 8 inch size gain on 36 is about a 20-22% (without doing the math) so is actually quite a bit.....

 

[IC1]

Mattlee

Thanks for your views.

'i think 8 inches in a world thats 36 inches long is quite a difference, dont you?'

Regarding your comment above, no I don't agree, the fish's potential top speed, like many other fish in the hobby means that 8 inches is tiny addition, although worth it to provide more space and thus a 'better' environment for the fish. I don't think you can say the 8 inch addition means that the fish is now content, or that the living space is now acceptable.

Again both of us with subjective views.

I think we agree that most tanks are unacceptable for fish keeping from the fish's perspective. In addition I agree the barb needs more space and am actively looking to upgrade to a 5 foot. Clearly better than 3 foot. Is 5 foot acceptable? who can say.

In the smaller end of the scale the same applies to small 'quick fish' in 2 foot tanks.

Beth thanks for your info ref colour.

 

[mattlee]

i didnt say that the fish would be content or the tanks living space would be ideal for the barbs, i said that an increase of 22% in swimming space would be better and that 4ft would be the minimum space that i would want to keep torpedo barbs in. again compared to the wild no tank is ideal but all we can do is provide the fish with as much space possible and your new 5ft would be even better as more room again and so on. tank size queries are replied with guides not facts and all fish would benefit from more room what creature wouldnt?

 

[IC1]

Agrophobic fish!!!

Anyway from wht I've read online (some contradictory) RTBS and RLTB not a good mix.

 

[mattlee]

wouldnt you be.........

 

[IC1]

Agrophobic covers, being in wide open spaces!

 

[mattlee]

Agrophobic covers, being in wide open spaces!

and also places with no visible exit.........