How Many More Tiger Barbs?

[onidrase]

Tiger barbs are my favorite schooling fish out there, to be honest. They're feisty, they have lovely colors, they're greedy eaters, high in activity and curiosity, and to top it off they have the nice full body appearance, I just find it all adorable

My tank is 37 US Gallons (30 length, 12 width, 24 height) 75 gallon cycled filter, soon to be heavy with live plants and real driftwood and caves, but right now just heavy with plastic plants and plastic driftwood and plastic caves

Current stock:

1 firemouth
5 upside down catfish
6 tiger barbs (4 golden 2 regular, though that probably doesn't matter)

I'm not so worried about the firemouth being picked on, he's got plenty of fight in him to make them steer clear

However, the upside down catfish are more nocturnal and docile, and unlike most catfish, they don't really hide on the floor of the aquarium, but more underneath leaves or the little caverns of plastic driftwood, all which are routinely explored by the tiger barbs during the day. I'm worried that this could become a problem.

At this very moment, there has been no nipping incidents in regards to barb-on-catfish aggression, but the barbs are merely an inch and a half to two inches long as this moment. and I know aggression will only pick up as they grow.

I also know that they tend to be a tad, very slightly, less nippy to other tank mates in bigger numbers.

I've never kept adult upside down catfish before, so I don't know if they'll care about the tigers once they're older, or if they'll be even more hidey than they already are because of their nippiness.

Anyways. Should I get more tiger barbs? If so how many?

Or should I just get rid of them and get some different schooling fish? What would you suggest for the setup?

Thanks much

 

[creeker]

Ok, first of all, two inch Tiger Barbs are pretty much full grown. If they haven't been a problem so far, you are probably good. I agree that the nocturnal nature of the UD cats keeps them out of harms way. Even though your Tigers like to explore those areas, I don't think they will pick on the cats when they're resting there. Tiger Barbs usually like to chase other fish in open water, and nip at them and try to get them to school. I think they will probably ignore the UD cats. If you want to add more Tiger Barbs, I say go ahead. Just be aware you might get an extra aggressive one in the group. I would just deal with those on an individual basis by swapping it out. Just out of curiosity, what species are your UD cats?

 

[onidrase]

Ok, first of all, two inch Tiger Barbs are pretty much full grown. If they haven't been a problem so far, you are probably good. I agree that the nocturnal nature of the UD cats keeps them out of harms way. Even though your Tigers like to explore those areas, I don't think they will pick on the cats when they're resting there. Tiger Barbs usually like to chase other fish in open water, and nip at them and try to get them to school. I http/www.fishforums.net/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gifthink they will probably ignore the UD cats. If you want to add more Tiger Barbs, I say go ahead. Just be aware you might get an extra aggressive one in the group. I would just deal with those on an individual basis by swapping it out. Just out of curiosity, what species are your UD cats?

There's more than one species? Synodontis Nigriventis (sp?) I believe is the correct scientific name. Their adult size is about 4 inches, I believe. I was worried they might grow a bit too large, but all signs I had during the research pointed to "why not" rather than "don't do it"

They can be a bit active in the morning and late afternoon, but the barbs still don't pay mind to them. They also group together most of the time, and they explore on all levels of the aquarium rather than just the bottom.

 

[creeker]

Well, there are many species of Synodontis, some people refer to them in general as UD cats. Just making sure you didn't have some sort of monster Synodontis species, waiting to grow up and wreak havoc! Nigriventris is a good one for your tank. It gets neither aggressive nor too big.

 

[onidrase]

Well, there are many species of Synodontis, some people refer to them in general as UD cats. Just making sure you didn't have some sort of monster Synodontis species, waiting to grow up and wreak havoc! Nigriventris is a good one for your tank. It gets neither aggressive nor too big.

Ah, I didn't know that I've usually looked at large synos by their scientific name, and upside downs were just the little guys

 

[pyrofishtoo]

I think you are getting pretty close to maxing out your fish load. Tiger barbs are great fish, active and interesting. If you keep up your maintenance and don't over feed, I would say add another six tiger barbs and enjoy.