Tank mates for Cherry Barbs?

[Cherrys]

I am looking at possibly doing 3 schools/shoals. Is that too many for a 55gal (208 liter)? My thought was one bottom swimmer and one mid/top level swimmer, to add to the barbs I currently have. I have 6 Cherry's and I am looking to up them to 10-12 before stocking anything else.

What other fish could I add? I do not like Tetras or Cory's. I was thinking of loaches for bottom dwellers (not a fan of Kuhli though), but I've read most of them are semi-aggressive. I'm sure that is fine with Cherry's, but what about other tank mates? Would they be okay with Danios or Harlequins for example?

Are all Danio's pretty similar in regards to water parameter needs, hardiness, and compatable tank mates? My PetSmart has a tendency to misidentify fish, so that's why I'm asking. I am also looking to avoid livebears this time around as well.

 

[Fishmar]

some long fin white clouds would look really good with them!
Danios would be fine.

 

[CassCats]

You could do zebra danios, white cloud mountain minnows, another peaceful barb species (i keep melon barbs with my cherry barbs, also called panda barbs).

As far as bottom dwellers, if you like loaches, check out:
Zebra botia loaches, hovering zebra loaches, dwarf chain loaches

But keep in mind barbs like it cooler and some of the loaches prefer warmer, so check that out first.

Id pick only one more upper level shoal. I definitely recommend melon barbs if you can find them and afford the shoal with them, they like having other barb species around...

Other options, you could add Odessa barbs, golden barbs, rosy barbs... pick one species though if you go this route too. Tbh golden barbs would contrast nice with the cherry barbs

 

[Colin_T]

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

 

[Cherrys]

You could do zebra danios, white cloud mountain minnows, another peaceful barb species (i keep melon barbs with my cherry barbs, also called panda barbs).

As far as bottom dwellers, if you like loaches, check out:
Zebra botia loaches, hovering zebra loaches, dwarf chain loaches

But keep in mind barbs like it cooler and some of the loaches prefer warmer, so check that out first.

Id pick only one more upper level shoal. I definitely recommend melon barbs if you can find them and afford the shoal with them, they like having other barb species around...

Other options, you could add Odessa barbs, golden barbs, rosy barbs... pick one species though if you go this route too. Tbh golden barbs would contrast nice with the cherry barbs

Cherry's actually prefer warmer temps compared to other barbs. I've kept Cherry's for years at temps between 75-78F. I was looking at the Golden barbs initally, but I don't think they will work nor the minnows. I have never heard of Melon barbs, I will look them up.

 

[CassCats]

Cherry barbs temperature range is 68-80F, so fairly wide range, even dipping into the cooler temps suitable for some of the cooler water tankmates. Mine are kept at 72F

Puntius titteya – Cherry Barb (Barbus titteya, Capoeta titteya) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[Cherrys]

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

48x13x21 are the dimensions.

I will see if I can find out, but I know we generally have really hard water. We have a softener, but I don't think it makes the water too soft. I'm assuming I would have to buy my own test or take it to the pet shop to get the GH/KH in this case. The pH is 7.8.

I've had the Cherry's going on 3 years with no issues of illness so I'm assuming the other water parameters must be pretty close to their needs or they are extremely hardy fish.

 

[Cherrys]

Cherry barbs temperature range is 68-80F, so fairly wide range, even dipping into the cooler temps suitable for some of the cooler water tankmates. Mine are kept at 72F

Puntius titteya – Cherry Barb (Barbus titteya, Capoeta titteya) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Most other sites say not below 72F. I only found one other site (not sure how reliable it is, that says 68). I think I'd rather keep the temp where it is at. They have been thriving in this tank for 3yrs so I'm afraid to lower it too much.

 

[CassCats]

Most other sites say not below 72F. I only found one other site (not sure how reliable it is, that says 68). I think I'd rather keep the temp where it is at. They have been thriving in this tank for 3yrs so I'm afraid to lower it too much.

Seriously fish is one of the most reputable.

But yeah if you are looking for warmer water, other barbs won't be as easily found for warmer temps.

 

[CassCats]

48x13x21 are the dimensions.

I will see if I can find out, but I know we generally have really hard water. We have a softener, but I don't think it makes the water too soft. I'm assuming I would have to buy my own test or take it to the pet shop to get the GH/KH in this case. The pH is 7.8.

I've had the Cherry's going on 3 years with no issues of illness so I'm assuming the other water parameters must be pretty close to their needs or they are extremely hardy fish.

Cherry barbs can handle soft to really hard water, so yeah they can handle most water parameters.

But the loaches would need soft, below GH 215ppm.

 

[mbsqw1d]

I recently added some giant danios to my odessa barbs, working out great. Your 4' length tank is the minimum size youd need for some giant danio

 

[Cherrys]

Seriously fish is one of the most reputable.

But yeah if you are looking for warmer water, other barbs won't be as easily found for warmer temps.

I was talking about the reputation of the other site. I know a lot of people like and use Seriously Fish, but I find they generally have much broader parameters than most other reputable sites so I personally do not use it.

I'm not necessarily looking for warmer water, I just don't think Cherry's should be kept that low. I do not want to reacclimate them to a lower temperature just for the sake of having another barb. I do love barbs, but I'm not attached to the idea of having an all barb tank. I came here already knowing I would not be able to keep most barbs with them, which is why I was looking for other ideas. I've only really kept them with livebearers and cichlids, but I'm looking for something different with this tank.

I might be very limited as far as schooling/shoaling groups go if I don't like tetras though. Seems like most of the others prefer cooler waters. With the exception of rainbows who would likely need the water even warmer.

 

[Cherrys]

I recently added some giant danios to my odessa barbs, working out great. Your 4' length tank is the minimum size youd need for some giant danio

I was looking at the giant danios and it appears they are one of the cooler danios so likely would not work in my tank. Some sites say CPD's might work if I keep the tank closer to 75 instead of 78. I don't like keeping fish at the top or bottom of their temp range though. Most say CPD's max out at 75-78, and I wouldn't be willing to lower the temp below 75.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Giant danios temp range is 64-77 and Cherry barbs 68-80
Admittedly, my Odessa are slightly cooler and match the danios a bit better, but I'd say 70-73 is a good middle ground for them. In summer months I'll struggle to keep them in this range tbh, but that is to be expected and just need to be cautious and take measures to ensure they dont get too warm (>82) for long durations.
I think you'd need quite a few CPDs to make a visual impact as they are quite small fish

 

[Cherrys]

Giant danios temp range is 64-77 and Cherry barbs 68-80
Admittedly, my Odessa are slightly cooler and match the danios a bit better, but I'd say 70-73 is a good middle ground for them. In summer months I'll struggle to keep them in this range tbh, but that is to be expected and just need to be cautious and take measures to ensure they dont get too warm (>82) for long durations.
I think you'd need quite a few CPDs to make a visual impact as they are quite small fish

I was a bit worried about the size of CPD's honestly. Have not had fish quite that small, but I would have the space if I stuck to only 2 shoals. The kids would probably enjoy something a bit bigger though.