Need Help Stocking My Tank Plz

[Quest84]

hey everyone, I am new to this forum and hobby, and could use your help stocking my tank. I have what I believe to be a 55 gallon bowfront tank, not really sure but the dimensions are 48L 19w and 21H. I set up the tank a few months ago and did a fishless cycle with the pure ammonia. The tank finished cycling and I then added 8 tiger barbs. I was told that they were nippy but would be ok with other fish as long as they were kept in a school of 6 or more. A few days ago I added 1 rainbow shark, and 3 gold tinfoil barbs. The tiger barbs are nipping at the rainbow and tinfoil barbs, it isn't really bad but enough to worry me about the tinfoils and rainbow shark.

should I get a smaller tank for just the tiger barbs? I also found out that the tinfoils can grow over a Ft. in length (rookie mistake)should I just return them? or would people want them if I gave them away for free after they outgrow my tank? The tank they were in at Petsmart is actually a lot smaller than the one I have them in at home.

I think I may have to start stocking from scratch again

 

[Wills]

Hi welcome to the forum Well done for reading up on the fishless cycle

Your not off to a bad start at all and buying fish without research is a mistake we all make - given that the barbs were sold to you I think taking them back would not be the best move for these fish as they will get sold onto an other small tank. If you look at the bottom of the home page of this forum you will see the classified section where someone that can take them on if you think its the right thing to do - returning them to the shop at least alleviates your the stress from you of having to house them. A harsh statement for the fish but if you cant house them responsibly via this website or similar your best chance is to take them back to the store and hope they find a good home that way - though if you can find a better shop than petco in your local area (Im from the UK and cant be much help in that area but I believe your not short of them in New Jersey - though I appreciate its a big place)

For the Tiger Barb issue - up their numbers, 6 is a good school for some fish but for nippy fish like tiger barbs you want at least 10 and if these are being particularly nippy I would double your current school to get 12 which is going to look really impressive and also get you off to a good start with your Rainbow Shark for a nice Asian/African tank a nice pair of Kribensis would work nice in there and maybe something like Golden Wonder Panchax for the top and a nice group of Asian Catfish, maybe something like some kind of Synodontis or Mystus Catfish are always nice

Wills

 

[lloyd]

To be honest i would sell up. its not fair on your fish to sell upbut 48b ltrs is to small for a shoal of tiger barbs . if you times your tank dimensions buy 10 itsprobably still to small for a shoal of tin foils. i no its harsh but if you can pass your fish to a responsibkle owner i would start a fresh

 

[Quest84]

I have 55 or more gallons, converted= 208 liter how is this too small for 8 tiger barbs?

I know it is too small for the tinfoils, but they are small now. when they get bigger i will either buy a much larger tank or give them away for free to a good home. I'm not looking to make $ off them for my rookie mistake

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Hi welcome to the forum Well done for reading up on the fishless cycle

Your not off to a bad start at all and buying fish without research is a mistake we all make - given that the barbs were sold to you I think taking them back would not be the best move for these fish as they will get sold onto an other small tank. If you look at the bottom of the home page of this forum you will see the classified section where someone that can take them on if you think its the right thing to do - returning them to the shop at least alleviates your the stress from you of having to house them. A harsh statement for the fish but if you cant house them responsibly via this website or similar your best chance is to take them back to the store and hope they find a good home that way - though if you can find a better shop than petco in your local area (Im from the UK and cant be much help in that area but I believe your not short of them in New Jersey - though I appreciate its a big place)

For the Tiger Barb issue - up their numbers, 6 is a good school for some fish but for nippy fish like tiger barbs you want at least 10 and if these are being particularly nippy I would double your current school to get 12 which is going to look really impressive and also get you off to a good start with your Rainbow Shark for a nice Asian/African tank a nice pair of Kribensis would work nice in there and maybe something like Golden Wonder Panchax for the top and a nice group of Asian Catfish, maybe something like some kind of Synodontis or Mystus Catfish are always nice

Wills

Good advice. I have a 12 barbs and a pair of kribs and it works well so far, no nipping by my barbs with 12

 

[lloyd]

sorry ot a bit confused. your tank is fine for a nice group of tiger barbs. i would google them or seriously fish them and cater for there needs. a biotope of that size for tiger barbs would be perfect

 

[Quest84]

I am going to try and add 4 more barbs like you guys suggested. I wanted to add a few of the green tiger barbs anyway to give the tank more color. If they still continue to nip I will just buy a second tank and make it a barb only tank.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah, i have a mix of 6 albino and 6 normal, should be fine