Tiger Barbs And Gouramis?

[tttnjfttt]

What do you think? Can a schoal of tiger barbs peacefully exist with gouramis?

I've got a 40 gal tank, so that isn't a factor.

EDIT: I do have a cycled 10 gal that currently houses a betta which I can use if necessary. The betta can go into an empty 2.5 gal (the previous inhabitant died over thanskgiving).

 

[Durbkat]

I would think they would since both are semi aggressive fish. But if I'm wrong you guys should tell him.

 

[aaronus]

Maybe I can help.

What I've learned from reading about both kinds of fish is this: gouramis are peaceful, so they won't hurt the tiger barbs. The barbs are a bit aggressive and could theaten the gouramis. However, as long as you have at least six tiger barbs they should leave the other fish alone and only mess with one another.

I'd try it if I were you. If it doesn't work, maybe use that 10 gallon tank. But I don't think you'll need to

 

[Durbkat]

Well it depends on what gourami he gets because opaline and blue gourmais (in my experience) were very mean and aggressive.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, I will look for the opaline ones. I've never heard of blue gouramis. Is there a mroe specific name, rather than just the color? There isn't a profile for them.

I'm probably gonna head to the LFS today. I've got 4 barbs at the moment in a 40 gal, so probably gonna get 3 green barbs and maybe one or two gouramis.

Thanks for teh input!

Nicole

 

[fish_keeper2]

the blue gouramis are usualy called 3-spot gouramis. they have 2 black spots along the bogy that are alligned with thier eyes. i personaly have a 20 gal with 5 tiger barbs, 1 blue gourami, 1 rainbow shark, 1 bamboo shrimp, a few snails and 1 yellow lab cichlid(im gonna be upgradeing this tank and takeing the yellow lab out soon). generaly its pretty peacefull with a bit of chaseing every now and then. some people have told me it wont work out but as you can tell it worked for me. its just one of those things that can go either way.

 

[ccg]

I have kept tiger barbs for years and I honesttly don't know what to tell you... I have had tiger barbs completely ignore other fish while in some cases they chase/stress/kill other fish. What are the demensions for your tank? 40 gals doesnt really mean to much..

Thanks,
Colen

 

[Durbkat]

I'd advise you not to get the opaline because they are one of the most aggressive gouramis out there. You could try dwarf gouramis.

 

[tttnjfttt]

the tank dimensions are 36"x15"x17".

I thought i'd need something on the more agressive side because of the barbs?

 

[Durbkat]

Oh yeah. NVM

 

[fish_keeper2]

with a large enough group the tiger barbs should leave the other fish alone. to be on the safe side i would leave out fish with long flowy fins such as angels, long fined fish(danios tetras etc) delta tailed guppies etc(this is what ive been told several times atleast). if you have atleast 5 preferably more it should work out fine.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Well, i'm back with an opaline gouramis, a clown loach, a red tailed shark, and another tiger barb to give me a schoal of 5.

The LPS also recomended a paradise gouramis, which I think I will be doing, once the tank gets settled in. Also thinking a school of albino barbs, and maybe some green barbs. Any recomendations on top dwellers?

 

[anvil63]

I know tiger barb behavior can be pretty variable, but I'd advise against it. The one time my Dad tried this the gouramis were constantly harrassed by the barbs. The final straw came when he noticed many of the gouramis were sporting uneven "feelers" due to nippage. Later that day the school of tiger barbs became snapping turtle food.

Carl