Stocking

[gillyg]

hi my 33 (us gallon) tank is currently cycling and i am just thinking about what fish to get once the cycle has completed.

currently have 4 tiger barbs

would really like a black red tailed shark

any ideas on any other bottom dwellers that would work. was considerng couple of corys or a bristlenose plec or yoyo loach would any of these be ok with shark?

and any ideas of other upper level swimmers would rasboras work or would the barbs pick on them? if not, would probably try to get some albino tiger barbs.

would love to hear any suggestions

thanks x

 

[Miss Wiggle]

if you get an RTBS you pretty much rule out any other bottom dwellers, they can be pretty aggressive, they work well in community tanks providing they are stocked appropriatley, if it feels anything is invading on it's territory or looks similar to it then it's likely to attack the other fish, so you have to be careful with fish selection

you need at least 10 tiger barbs for them not to pick on each other and other fish too much

 

[gillyg]

thanks for the advice miss wiggle

i was told that if i put a red tailed shark into the tank at the same time as another bottom dweller, or put the other bottom dweller in before the shark then they would more likely to be ok as territory wouldnt have been established, this is what a friend of mine did with a clown loach (i know my tank is too small for one of these) and they seem to get along really well. is this not advisable?

thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

clown loaches and RTBS are a very different kttle of fish i'm afraid (pardon the pun)

clown loaches while they get large aren't really aggressive/territorial, RTBS are.

like comparing apples and pears

edit - incidentally in the latest issue of practical fishkeeping magazine there's some info on how to keep them in a community safely, might be worth picking up a copy to have a look, larger WH Smith's usually stock it or ask your local newsagent

 

[gillyg]

sorry, just to clarify, are you saying that loaches and sharks shouldnt go together either?

if not, i will just get the RTBS. thanks for your help!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

sorry i think i've mis-understood you

do you mean your friend used this method to introduce a RTBS and a clown loach together?

I read it as she used this method to introduce and clown loach and other bottom dwellers, which is obviously not the same thing!

been a long day, sorry! lol

with any territorial fish adding them together or re-arranging the tank (thus destroying any territories) will give them a level playing field to start off from. however they will soon re-establish territories and if one is more territorial it's likely to eventually spell trouble.

 

[gillyg]

Hi again, yes i meant my friend used this method of introducing clown loach and RTBS together.

thanks for your help, i will certainly bare that in mind.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I wouldn't keep cories with an RTBS anyway. Most common cories are incapable of recognising signs of territorial aggression in other fish; their idea is to get everybody together in one big group hug!