Kribs & Tiger Barbs?

[cyberkat]

I have an empty 20g tall that needs fish!!
Am planning on this being a very low tech planted tank & as far as stocking goes I'd like 1 Pr Kribs, 8-10 Tiger Barbs & some Nerites & Ghost Shrimp. Am thinking Barbs could handle a breeding pr of Kribs so that takes care of top, mid & bottom levels. And some Ghost Shrimp & Nerites because I need some sort of "clean up crew" that will work with Kribs & not compete with their bottom level space (will have filtration for 30g). I've always wanted to try Tiger Barbs and am thinking this would be a good combo & help with the fry population when the time comes as well. Thoughts??

 

[Brospace4]

Tiger barbs need a bigger space, especially that many

 

[josh7]

It's not gonna work in a 20 tall in a 20 long maybe. I would only do a krib pair in a 20 tall though.

 

[cyberkat]

Why is a 20g too small for only 10 Tiger Barbs?
20g tall tank foot print too small for 1 PR of Kribs? What's the difference in the foot print size between the tall & long?

 

[josh7]

The 20 tall is good for a krib pair. The 20 tall is only 24 inches the 20 long is 30 inches long. The tiger barbs need a longer tank they are very active and Ned extra swimming space.

 

[cyberkat]

Thanks for the info!! Would 5 Tiger Barbs work, maybe? If not, any suggestions on some sort of dither fish that could handle the Kribs Dr Heckle & Mr Hyde personalities? I always liked the Tiger's frisky but non lethal behavior & their color!

 

[josh7]

I wouldn't do it in a 20 tall I would just do a krib pair with no tankmates. Or you could go for a community setup with a different type of barb like cherrys.

 

[cyberkat]

Just trying to understand your reasoning here. May need to trade my tank & stand for the long version for I can have enough room!
I successfully kept a breeding pair of Angels in this tank without any other tank mates. The Angel's I understand being alone together but not the Krib's. The Krib's are terrors when breeding & raising fry like most Cichlids but are less than half the size of the Angel fish, that's why I was just going with them and a pretty fast type of dither fish. Some years back I had a pair breeding in a 29g tank and they didn't claim even half of the tanks foot print, that's why I was thinking I could use my 20g tall.

 

[josh7]

Well the thing is its not really about the kribs in the 20 tall that's the issue. It's the tiger barbs they are very active and need swimming space. I think you could possibly do kribs and maybe zebra danios in a 20 tall.

 

[Brookster123]

If you like the look if tigers? Try hexazona(5 banded) barbs, 8 or do could prob hang with kribs? What do you think j?

 

[josh7]

I honestly don't know anything about those type of barbs.

 

[cyberkat]

That's pretty ironic about the Tiger Barbs; I picked them because they're a top-mid level fish that's spunky, colorful, active & fun. I thought they'd be a really good tank mate for the Kribs. Just didn't know they need room like they do! I always prefer color when possible, so the 5 Banded Barbs sound really good but I worry they may not be hardy enough of a fish to handle the Kribs? Any other suggestions for a dither fish in a tank this size with Kribs as tank mates?

 

[cyberkat]

Serpae Tetra?

 

[josh7]

I would suggest a Danio species. Look into a pearl Danio or zebra danios.

 

[cyberkat]

Any other suggestions? I love Zebra Danio's but I always seem to end up with them in my tank and I was trying to avoid them if I can.
Thank you again for all of your time & help today!!

 

[Brookster123]

I would suggest a Danio species. Look into a pearl Danio or zebra danios.

celestial pearls? Prob not so much with aggressive fish, zebras would work for sure.. I have my hexazona's with apisto's and they can hold their own..

 

[BigBoyStatus]

I agree, they're gonna need more space if you plan on using that tank, but as far as the fish match ups themselves, you should be good - Tigers tend to be able to hold their own considering they are a community fish.

 

[cyberkat]

Thank all of you so much for your help today!!
I think I'll just seriously look into trading my 20g tall for a 20g long locally or possibly a 29g. Seems easier just to get a different aquarium and this way I can still get some Barbs with the Kribs. Any idea if the Kribs will munch on Ghost Shrimp?

 

[BigBoyStatus]

Thank all of you so much for your help today!!
I think I'll just seriously look into trading my 20g tall for a 20g long locally or possibly a 29g. Seems easier just to get a different aquarium and this way I can still get some Barbs with the Kribs. Any idea if the Kribs will munch on Ghost Shrimp?

If the ghost shrimp are smaller and the Kribs are a but bigger, then there is always the chance - I'd be more worried about the Tigers once they get bigger.

 

[BigBoyStatus]

I doubt you'll have problems though